Why the Europeans came to the Caribbean

Why the Europeans came to the Caribbean

by Marlet Moffatt

​The Spaniards

The Spaniards were the first Europeans to arrive in the Caribbean.​

• In 1942. Chri​stopher Columbus led an expedition paid for by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain.

• ​He was looking for gold and to find other routes to the countries in the east to engage in the spice trade.

• ​He also wanted to convert the people they found to christianity.

• ​on his second voyage in 1994 Columbus arrived in the Jamaica and landed at a place now known as Discovery Bay.

​Spanish Colonization in the Caribbean

​When the Spanish settle in Jamaica and other islands, they took them over in the name of the Queen of Spain.

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At first they ruled the island but lived alongside the Tainis. The Spaniards introduce new crops and animals.

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​Plantations of sugar cane were set up. The Spaniards enslave the Tainos to work on the plantations.

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​Many Tainos died under the harsh treatment, working conditions and diseases brought by the Europeans.

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