History of jamaica

1. History of Jamaica
ChristopherColumbusarrivedinJamaicainMay of 1494, but in1655, the Spanishwere
expelledbythe British.Jamaicathenbecame one of the largestcoloniesof slavesof the British
Empire.For100 yearsalmostthe entire islandwasdividedintolarge plantationsownedby
powerful landownersandin whoworkedthe slaveswhowere broughtfromWestAfrica.After
the abolitionof slaveryin1834, Jamaica became anislandrelativelyprosperousunderthe
tutelage of the Britishcolonialists.Atthe beginningof the twentiethcenturyawave of natural
disasterscoupledwiththe global economiccrisisin30 years,ledto the decline inthe economy
of Jamaica.
Duringthe years 30, appearedthe oppositiongroupsandthe firstblacktrade unions.The
incessantrivalriesbetweenthese groupshave characterizedpoliticallifeinJamaicasince that
time.Since independence in1962, the mainprotagonistsof the political life have beenthe
party of right JamaicanLabor Party(JamaicanLabor Party,JLP) and the leftparty People's
National Party(National People'sParty,PNP). Duringthe entire decade of the 60, the JLP was
inpoweruntil he lostthe 1972 election,inwhichhe defeatedthe PNP,ledbyMichael Manley,
whose fatherNormanhadfoundedthe party.
Despite growingeconomicdifficulties,Manleyandthe PNPwonagainthe victoryin 1976. The
followingthree yearssawmultiplythe violence inanalarmingwaywhichledtothe electoral
defeatof the NPP.In1979, EdwardSeaga of the JLPformedthe nextgovernment.Seaga,
adopteda policypro-americanineconomicsandforeignaffairslosingcontrol of foreign
investmentsonthe islandandsupporttoAmericantroopsthat invadedGrenadain1983.
Manleyreturnedtopowerin1989. Duringthat mandate,the NPPruledbyapplyingradical
measuresof liberalizationof the economyandmakinggreateffortstopreserve itsgood
relationswithUnitedStates.Due toaseriousillness,Manleyhadtoretire in1992 andwas
replacedbyhisvice-presidentPJPatterson.The April 1993 electionsratifiedtoPatterson.The
JLP requestedthe governmenttomake electoral andconstitutional reforms,butinthe
absence of results,the Governmentwasaccusedof blockingreform.Improvementsinthe
industrial sectorwere verypoor,andinflationhasledtoan increase inthe publicdeficit.Allthis
causeda wave of protestsagainstthe governmentinthe years1994 and1995. In 1996, inan
attemptto stabilize the economyandstopresolvingthe crisisinthe industry,the Government
proposeda"social contract" withthe trade unionsandthe private sector.Inthe 1997 general
elections,the PNPwon56%of the votesand50 of the 60 seatsin the House of
Representatives,the JLPwon39% of the votesand10 seats.PattersonwasappointedasPrime
Ministerforthe thirdconsecutive time,committingthemselvesthistimetocarry outmajor
reformsconsititucionalesbefore finishinghismandate.The povertyof the islandhasbeenthe
primaryconcernof the Governmentof Patterson.The increase intaxes in1999, triggereda
seriesof demonstrationsof discontent,whichforcedthe governmenttoremove thisreform.
Successive elections,the mostrecentinOctober2002, have beenmarkedbyviolencethe
intimidation,especiallyinthe mostdisadvantagedurban areas,althoughthere have beenno
complaintsbythe results.Pattersonhasbeeninpowerforadecade while hisopponent,
Edward Seaga,continuestobe the leaderof the JamaicanLabor Party,despite havinglost
three consecutive elections.Bothpoliticianshave beenontopof the Jamaicanpolitical

2. landscape since 1960. Inadditiontohavingto deal withthe difficulteconomicsituationof the
island,the newgovernmentof Pattersonshouldalsolistentothe voicescallingfora
constitutional reform,especiallyinregardtothe choice of a Head of State to replace the
Britishmonarch.Pattersonseemsnow more willingtoignore whathasrecentlybeen
describedas"the lastvestige of colonialism",indicatingthatyouwantto see thischange inthe
Constitutionbefore the endof itsmandate,in2007.
Culture in Jamaica
Religion:
The majorityof the populationisprotestant(Churchof God,Anglican,BaptistandMethodist).
There are alsominorities Catholic,Jewish,HinduandBaha'i.Onthe otherhand,the
Rastafarianreligionenjoysgreatpopularityandrootedness.Thisreligionisbasedona belief in
the divinityof the lastemperorof Ethiopia,Haile Selassie (RasTafari).
Social Practices:
The handshake isthe conventional wayof greeting.Observethe basicrulesof courtesy.The
Jamaicansare veryhospitableandincase of beinginvitedtoeatat someone'shouse iscustom
carry a small gift.Althoughduringthe daydressesinformally,the use of shortsandbathing
suitsshouldbe restrictedtothe beachesandpools.Whenthe nightcomesthe wardrobe can
vary froma casual style,until the formal elegance of some hotelsandrestaurantslocatedin
touristsitesthatrequire formal dresstotheircustomers.Asthe tourismisthe mainindustryof
the country,the visitorisverywell received,andthe employeesof the hotelsandrestaurants
are respectful,friendlyandhelpful.Outside of Kingston,the style of life isrelaxed,the people
are welcomingandhospitable.The musicandthe Africanculture are verypresentinthe life of
the country,mixedwiththe Britishcolonialinfluence,andtoa lesserextentwithAsianand
Europeaninfluences.Onthe islandcanbe seensigns'Jahlives'( 'Jahlives'),whichisthe name
of the godof the Rastafarians.The possessionof marijuanacanmeanarrest anddeportation.
It isrecommendedthatvisitorsdonottryto smuggle marijuanaaspolice authoritiesof the
countryare veryeffective.
Language in Jamaica:
The official language isEnglish.Also,theyspeakthe local dialectpatois.