History of Trinidad and Tobago
TRINIDAD BECOMES A BRITISH COLONY
Spain, Britain and France always fought over colonies. These countries were always at war because they wanted to expand their empire, this ultimately resulted in them gaining more power.
The British conquered Trinidad and took over the island by the year 1979. The British had control of T&T for 165 years. The country eventually gained independence in 1962.
When T&T became independent we were no longer under British control. However, we became part of the commonwealth; these are countries that were once under British rule.
Later on Tobago became a part of Trinidad. The island of Tobago was fought over between the French and British.
GROWTH OF THE ECONOMY FROM SUGAR
When the British took over the island of Trinidad, sugar became a very important part of the economy. The Spanish and French planters who lived on the island beautified from the British being here. The British began importing slaves from the continent of Africa to work on the plantations. Within a very short period of time, they were eventually able to acquire steam mills and other heavy-duty equipment required to increase the production of sugar. Unfortunately for the planters, the slave trade was abolished in England in 1806 and this had serious implications and effects on the production of sugar. Many British ships came to Trinidad to transport sugar to Europe. It became very popular in Europe as it was used in cakes, tea etc.
YEAR | POUNDS WEIGHT (lb.) OF SUGAR MADE | 1799 | 8.4m | 1802 | 14.2m | 1809 | 25.95m | 1833 | 37.7m |
GOVERNMENT UNDER BRITISH RULE
Under British Rule the laws of the island did not change. The British kept most of the old laws that existed. The Spanish and French planters were afraid of the changes the British would have made. The Spanish were allowed to keep the Cabildo. The major change that took place was that the island had a new governor called Sir Thomas Picton.
HOME-WORK 1. What does ‘mulatto’
Spain, Britain and France always fought over colonies. These countries were always at war because they wanted to expand their empire, this ultimately resulted in them gaining more power.
The British conquered Trinidad and took over the island by the year 1979. The British had control of T&T for 165 years. The country eventually gained independence in 1962.
When T&T became independent we were no longer under British control. However, we became part of the commonwealth; these are countries that were once under British rule.
Later on Tobago became a part of Trinidad. The island of Tobago was fought over between the French and British.
GROWTH OF THE ECONOMY FROM SUGAR
When the British took over the island of Trinidad, sugar became a very important part of the economy. The Spanish and French planters who lived on the island beautified from the British being here. The British began importing slaves from the continent of Africa to work on the plantations. Within a very short period of time, they were eventually able to acquire steam mills and other heavy-duty equipment required to increase the production of sugar. Unfortunately for the planters, the slave trade was abolished in England in 1806 and this had serious implications and effects on the production of sugar. Many British ships came to Trinidad to transport sugar to Europe. It became very popular in Europe as it was used in cakes, tea etc.
YEAR | POUNDS WEIGHT (lb.) OF SUGAR MADE | 1799 | 8.4m | 1802 | 14.2m | 1809 | 25.95m | 1833 | 37.7m |
GOVERNMENT UNDER BRITISH RULE
Under British Rule the laws of the island did not change. The British kept most of the old laws that existed. The Spanish and French planters were afraid of the changes the British would have made. The Spanish were allowed to keep the Cabildo. The major change that took place was that the island had a new governor called Sir Thomas Picton.
HOME-WORK 1. What does ‘mulatto’