Critically Examine the Effects of the Spanish Colonization on the Indigenous Population in Trinidad.
Critically examine the effects of the Spanish Colonization on the indigenous population in Trinidad. |
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Introduction
Although there were mass developments in the demographics of Trinidad by the Europeans, this also contributed to several major factors that caused dreadful changes in the lives and well-being of the indigenous population, which were the Amerindians, due to Spanish colonization.
The history of Trinidad and Tobago began with the arrival of the indigenous people. They were the first people to inhabit the islands many centuries ago (Brereton 1). These tribes have travelled from South America where they settled in various parts of the Greater and Lesser Antilles. The Amerindians settled in islands such as Bahamas, Cuba and various parts of Trinidad as well as throughout the Caribbean region (Williams 1).
However, on July 31, 1498, an Italian explorer by the name of Christopher Columbus stumbled upon and rediscovered Trinidad on his third voyage (Williams 8). The rediscovery of the West Indian island by Christopher Columbus, acted as an agent of the Spanish Monarchy in the year 1492, which followed by a series of dramatic events and changes in the European society in the 15thcentury (Williams 5). Christopher Columbus’ quest for the new world drew him to this island because of the fabled stories of gold and spices popularized by famous travelogue of Marco Polo, Ibn Battuta and the persistent Prester John, led him to the island of Trinidad (Williams 5).
Upon Columbus’ arrival to the West Indies, he met two Amerindian tribes. These were the Kalinagos (Caribs) and the Tainos (Arawak). The Arawak tribe greeted Columbus and his Spanish comrades with gifts and food while the Carib tribe retreated in land and observed the intentions of the Europeans. These behaviors can be seen in picture one on this page, which shows the Amerindians greeting Columbus and the Spaniards and the Caribs retreating in land.
Picture one taken from (“Amerindians greeting
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Introduction
Although there were mass developments in the demographics of Trinidad by the Europeans, this also contributed to several major factors that caused dreadful changes in the lives and well-being of the indigenous population, which were the Amerindians, due to Spanish colonization.
The history of Trinidad and Tobago began with the arrival of the indigenous people. They were the first people to inhabit the islands many centuries ago (Brereton 1). These tribes have travelled from South America where they settled in various parts of the Greater and Lesser Antilles. The Amerindians settled in islands such as Bahamas, Cuba and various parts of Trinidad as well as throughout the Caribbean region (Williams 1).
However, on July 31, 1498, an Italian explorer by the name of Christopher Columbus stumbled upon and rediscovered Trinidad on his third voyage (Williams 8). The rediscovery of the West Indian island by Christopher Columbus, acted as an agent of the Spanish Monarchy in the year 1492, which followed by a series of dramatic events and changes in the European society in the 15thcentury (Williams 5). Christopher Columbus’ quest for the new world drew him to this island because of the fabled stories of gold and spices popularized by famous travelogue of Marco Polo, Ibn Battuta and the persistent Prester John, led him to the island of Trinidad (Williams 5).
Upon Columbus’ arrival to the West Indies, he met two Amerindian tribes. These were the Kalinagos (Caribs) and the Tainos (Arawak). The Arawak tribe greeted Columbus and his Spanish comrades with gifts and food while the Carib tribe retreated in land and observed the intentions of the Europeans. These behaviors can be seen in picture one on this page, which shows the Amerindians greeting Columbus and the Spaniards and the Caribs retreating in land.
Picture one taken from (“Amerindians greeting
Bibliography: Hatuey. 2007. Photograph. n.p. Web. 25 Jun 2013. <http://haitianarawak.com/documents/essays/hatuey.php>. Brereton, Bridget. The Deserted Island 1498-1783. 1980. 6. Print.* Eric Williams, .Our Amerindian Ancestors.Page 1.Web.<http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00017354/00001/9j>. Robert Greenwood, , and Sherly Hamber. Amerindinas to Africa. 2nd. 40. Print. * Ministry of Culture. HISTORICAL OVERVIEW (CULTURE) . Web. <http://www.culture.gov.tt/docs/ncp-addendumII.pdf>.* "IndigenousPeople.net." .N.p..Web. 9 Jun 2013. <http://www.indigenouspeople.net/sidemenu.html>. * "History."Christopher Columbus. N.p..Web. 9 Jun 2013. <http://www.history.com/topics/christopher-columbus>. Eric, Williams. Geroge A Smathers Libraries, 2004.5. Web.<http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00017354/00001/13j>. Bridget Brereton,.The deserted island 1498-1783. 1. Print. CORBIS, . Christopher Columbus Greeting Native Americans. N.d. Photograph. n.p. Web. 5 Jul 2013. <http://www.corbisimages.com/stock-photo/rights-managed/IH152390/christopher-columbus-greeting-native-americans>.