Trinidad and Tobago: Historical Overview

Till 1888, the history of Trinidad and Tobago followed a different pattern. The two islands were discovered and christened ‘Trinidad’ and ‘Bella Forma’ (later changed to Tobago) by Columbus in 1498.

The indigenous population that the Spanish encountered when they first arrived on the island comprised of at least seven Indian tribes – the Arawaks, Tamanaques, Caribs, Chanimas, Salives, Chaguanes and Quaquas. The first few attempts by the Spanish to establish a permanent settlement were unsuccessful due to the constant skirmishes between the colonisers and the Caribs. By 1824 the Indian population had dwindled to meagre levels due to slavery and disease, and today they are non-existent.

Colonisation attempts were successful only after the deliberate policy of importing missionaries to the island was followed. This period also saw an influx of French immigrants from France and the surrounding islands of St. Lucia and Dominican.

In 1797 an expedition led by Sir Ralph Abercromby captured the island and established British rule and in 1802 Spain officially ceded the island to Britain. Under the British rule, Trinidad was treated as a Crown colony governed by French and Spanish laws.

Slave trade that had been introduced by the Spaniards was abolished in 1807 and in 1834 slavery was abolished altogether. But this was only theoretical abolition and the practice of slavery continued for many years there after. As the custom of slavery slowly died re- enforced by the British government, many former slaves moved to work in the urban centres leaving a gap in the rural economy leading to a rise in wage rates. The scarcity of labour brought about the need to import Indians in large numbers. This so-called concept of indentured labour was little different from slavery. Many ‘East Indians’ as they are called settled in Trinidad and today form a major chunk of the population. Chinese and Portuguese were also imported in a similar fashion.

The temptation of higher wages attracted immigrants from surrounding Caribbean islands as well as from other countries. The result of this has been a diverse and heterogeneous population.

In 1877, Tobago, a distortion of the word tobacco, became a crown colony after passing through the hands of various colonial powers and in 1888, it was politically amalgamated with Trinidad.

The economic depression of 1930’s urged the formation of labour organisations. In 1946, adult suffrage was introduced and political parties were organised. According to the new constitution that was introduced, the island was granted the right for self-government and Dr. Eric Williams, one of the most popular leaders, became the first Chief Minister of the island.