• Jamaica has a population of 2.75 million people and is a third world country.
• Since gaining its independence from Britain, Jamaica has changed from a peaceful tropical paradise to a poverty-stricken, war torn island of garrison communities and political factions.
• Kingston, Jamaica's capital has a population of just over 650,000 and approximately 200,000 of these people live in the ghetto. Violence is rife. Kingston has the third highest murder rate in the world. Unemployment is high and literacy levels are low. Handicapped children are routinely abandoned, as parents are unable to cope.
• Jamaica's economy is narrowly based on bauxite, sugar, and tourism. It is particularly vulnerable to world commodity price fluctuations and weather.
• Jamaica also has a high debt position and a shortage of investment capital. Although labor is generally available at a low cost, there is a shortage of skilled labor that requires firms to look abroad for technical and managerial personnel and makes it even harder to attract outside investment capital.
• Drug trafficking plays a significant role in Jamaica's underground economy and drug related activity has had a deleterious effect on the general social, political, and business climate in the country.

Jamaica - Demographics

Ethnic Composition: African 76.3 per cent; Afro-European 15.1 per cent; East Indian and Afro-East Indian 3 per cent; White 3.2 per cent; Chinese and Afro-Chinese 1.2 per cent; Other 1.2 per cent.

Languages Spoken: English and Creole.

Education and Literacy: The government devotes a large part of its budget to education. Literacy above the age of 15 is 85 per cent.

Labor Force: Total: 1,062,100. By occupation: services 41 per cent; agriculture 22.5 per cent; industry 19 per cent; unemployed 17.5 per cent.

Currency: The currency of Jamaica is the Jamaican Dollar (J$).


A History Of Jamaica

The Arawak Indians were the first inhabitants of Jamaica. They arrived from South America around 650AD and called the island Xymaca meaning "Land of wood and water". The

Arawak Indians

Arawaks led a peaceful existence until the arrival of the Europeans in the early 1500s. There was approximately 100,000 Arawaks living on the island when Christopher Colombus arrived in 1494.

By 1509, having conquered and settled the island, Spain introduced the first African slaves in 1517. The indigenous population was completely wiped out during the first 30 years of Spanish occupation through disease, war and slavery. The Spanish were not particularly interested in Jamaica as it held no valuable metals, however Jamaica acted as a base to support the Spanish invasion of South America and Mexico in particular. The Spaniards held onto Jamaica for 150 years before surrendering the island to the British in 1655.

After briefly experimenting with indentured European workers the British resorted to slavery on a grand scale to provide labour for the huge sugar industry that was about to take over the country. The slaves were mainly from the Fante, Ashanti, Ibo and Yoruba tribes on the west coast of Africa. By 1800 there was 300,000 slaves working the sugar plantations. At first the traders bought captured warriors and other prisoners from local chieftains. As demand soared, huge raids swept through west Africa - it is estimated that 40 million were thus captured and sold into slavery - many of these passed through Jamaica which acted as a trading post for the rest of the Caribbean.

Conditions were horrendous and thousands upon thousands died working in the cane fields and from the inhumane treatment handed out by the plantation owners and their overseers. As the demand for sugar increased Jamaica soon became the worlds largest exporteter of sugar and was regarded as a jewel in the British crown due to the fantastic profits that were repatriated. Recurrent slave revolts were immediately dealt with in the most violent manner.

Sugarcane field

Jamaica's fortunes were now dependent on one product - sugar cane. Any fluctuations in the market were keenly felt in Jamaica. The American war of independence led to a reduced demand for sugar resulting in devastating effects on Jamaica - over 20,000 slaves died of starvation. The abolition of slavery in 1838 coincided with the decline of the sugar industry, which was now facing competition from European sugar beet. Plantation owners in an effort to retain their super normal profits were not willing to pay wages to their former slaves. As a result tens of thousands of freed slaves took to the hills to fend for themselves and so began Jamaica's land ownership and squatting problems which continue to the present day.

The growth of the peasantry saw a diversification of produce as the new small holders planted coffee and bananas and surviving plantation owners switched from sugar to bananas. Banana exports help stabilise the economy for several decades, however WW1 and the great depression resulted in severe hardship in Jamaica. The resulting civil unrest in the 30's which was dealt with severely by the authorities culminated in the rebellion of 1938. The roots of the national movement for independence reach back into the struggles for land in the 19th century, in the 30's it was inspired by the political ideas of Marcus Garvey.

Adult sufferage and a measure of self government was granted in 1944 and the two political parties and their affiliated trade unions were formed. Alexander Bustamante formed the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the Bustamante Industrial Trades Union (BITU) and his cousin Norman Manley formed the People's National Party (PNP) and the National Workers Union (NWU). This period from 1944 to 1962 when Jamaica gained independence saw major political and economic changes in Jamaica. The economy developed from a monocrop export economy to a more diversified economy that now exported sugar, bananas and other crops. The bauxite and tourist industries also developed during this period and the USA displaced Britain as Jamaica's main trading partner.

Political Independence

The first two governments were formed by the JLP who were committed to a free market economy along the lines of conservative corporate America and the 60's saw a period of investment in the bauxite industry. By the end of the decade mining, tourism, manufacturing and construction industries were established, however there was no trickle down effect, and no relief for the poverty stricken masses.

Norman Manley, the leader of the democratic socialist party, the PNP, died in 1969 and his son Michael succeeded him. The PNP held power from 1972 to 1980. He initiated more control over the economy and instigated changes in economic policy including the Bauxite Levy in 1974 which was an attempt to retain some of the profits of the industry for Jamaica. He introduced the minimum wage and legislation favouring workers rights and tried to address the problems of the poor through subsidised food, housing, education, health and other social services. The move towards socialism alarmed investors who withdrew their capital, as a result unemployment skyrocketed and inflation soared above 50% and Jamaican society became increasingly polarised. In international affairs Manley's government opened relations with many non capitalist countries and promoted the solidarity of the Third World in international negotiations with the advance countries. The US was not too pleased with the socialist path that Manley was taking and after a six-day state visit by the Cuban leader, Fidel Castro, in 1977 the CIA developed plans to topple the government to prevent what they feared was a growing communist threat. By the end of the 70's the economy had virtually collapsed. The government sought assistance from the IMF and the World Bank. Manley had to reverse his policies. The resulting political strife saw hundreds killed as gun battles raged in Kingston. The middle classes fled the country and Jamaica lost precious financial and human resources.

After a bloody election campaign in which almost 700 people lost their lives the JLP came to power in 1980 under the leadership of Edward Seaga. Seaga set about restructuring the economy. He severed diplomatic ties with Cuba and nurtured a relationship with the Reagan administration. The Jamaican dollar was devalued and other severe measures were introduced. A slow recovery began but Seaga lost his popularity due to the social costs of this recovery plan.

In 1983 Seaga called a snap election in the absence of the leader of the PNP, who was touring abroad. And for the next 6 years (1983-1986) Jamaica had a one party parliament. Growing poverty in the midst of an economic, government corruption, rising unemployment turned the people against Seaga. In 1988 Hurricane Gilbert devastated the island, leaving one quarter of the population homeless and U$300 million in damage.

In 1989 after a relatively peaceful election campaign the PNP were voted back in power. Manley's politics had changed in the meanwhile - he now branded himself a mainstream realist and continued with Seaga's policy of deregulating the economy. The population of the country was still polarised with the upper and middle classes alone benefiting from the recovery - for the majority life was extremely difficult - proper food, housing and education was beyond reach.

Manley retired in 1992 and Percival James Patterson became Jamaica's first black prime minister. Violence - politically motivated and increasingly drugs related, has continued to grow. The figure now (2003) hovers around the one thousand mark.

Jamaica has now reached the stage where virtually every segment of the economy suffers from corruption, violence is on the increase as the island is used as a transhipment port for the cocaine trade and 65 cents in every tax dollar earned goes to service foreign debt.

National Heroes

Jamaica's National Heroes Compiled from various Jamaican History books by Donna Lewis Essix Jamaica's National Heroes dared to challenge the institution of colonialism and in so doing changed the course of Jamaica's history giving social and political freedom to its people. Today, the statues of Jamaica's seven National Heroes stand in proud acknowledgment, in the National Heroes Park in Kingston where they are viewed with inspiring pride, unforgettable symbols of Jamaica's enduring strength.

PAUL BOGLE (birth date uncertain-died 1865)

Paul Bogle, a Baptist Deacon was generally regarded as a peaceful man who shunned violence. He believed in the teachings of the Bible, endorsing the principles of charity and endurance. Yet he was also a leader and organizer who knew well the terrains of the land and had spent time in educating and training his followers. He lived in St. Thomas and led the Morant Bay Rebellion in 1865.


GEORGE WILLIAM GORDON (1820-1865)

George William Gordon was a free colored land owner and an associate of Bogle. As a member of the House of Parliament, he used his position to highlight the sufferings of the people and to make a plea for changes. The Morant Bay Rebellion and the resultant deaths of Bogle and Gordon precipitated the beginning of a new era in Jamaica's development. The British government became compelled to make changes including outstanding reforms in education, health, local government, banking and infrastructure.


NANNY (Born unknown, died around 1734)

Nanny of the Maroons stands out in history as the only female among Jamaica's national heroes. She possessed that fierce fighting spirit generally associated with the courage of men. In fact, Nanny is described as a fearless Asante warrior who used militarist techniques to foul and beguile the English. Like the heroes of the pre Independence era, Nanny too met her untimely death at the instigation of the English sometime around 1734. Yet, the spirit of Nanny of the Maroons remains today as a symbol of that domitable desire that will never yield to captivity.


SAMUEL SHARPE (1801-1832)

'Daddy' Sam Sharpe, as he was affectionately called was to carry on the Resistance against slavery effecting at the young age of 31, the most outstanding Slave Rebellion in Jamaica's history. Sharpe, an educated town slave, was a preacher and spokesman. Intelligent and sharp, he followed the developments of the abolition movement by reading discarded local and foreign papers and was able to advise his followers. Sharpe was tired of slavery, spent months in strategic planning, educating the slaves and traveling from estate to estate in secret meetings at nights, igniting the slaves with inspiring messages of hope of freedom. The 1831 Christmas Rebellion started in St. James and spread throughout the entire island. The Rebellion started on December 28 and lasted 8 days. Sam Sharpe was eventually captured and hung at the Parade in Montego Bay (now renamed Sam Sharpe Square). On August 28, 1833 slavery was abolished and the System of Apprenticeship instituted, allowing for the total freedom of slaves in the next 4-6 years. On August 1, 1938 the Apprenticeship System ended granting full freedom to the slaves.


SIR ALEXANDER BUSTAMANTE (1884-1977)

Alexander Bustamante was an aggressive, outspoken young man who understood the dynamics of labor relations. A charismatic and impressive speaker, he used the media to criticize the prevailing political system and its attendant social problems. He started the Industrial Trade Union in 1938 and was jailed for 17 months following labor riots. He became Jamaica's first Chief Minister, a position he held until 1954, being knighted that same year by the queen. On August 6, 1962 Jamaica was granted full independence. At the first session of Parliament, Bustamante received the Instruments of Independence from the queen's representative, Princess Margaret. This time in Jamaica's history drastic changes were heralded, not by bloodshed but by peaceful negotiations.


NORMAN WASHINGTON MANLEY (1893-1969)

Norman Washington Manley founded the People's National Party which later was tied to the Trade Union Congress and the N.W. U. Together with Bustamante, their efforts resulted in the New Constitution of 1944 granting full Adult Suffrage. In 1955 Manley was elected Chief Minister. The 400 year British Rule, invoking slavery, deculturisation, uprising and bloodshed was not at an end.


MARCUS MOSIAH GARVEY (1887-1940)

Marcus Mosiah Garvey stands out in history as one who was greatly committed to the concept of the Emancipation of minds. Garvey who was born in St. Ann became famous worldwide as a leader who was courageous and eloquent in his call for improvement for Blacks. He sought the unification of all Blacks through the establishment of the United Negro Improvement Association and spoke out against economic exploitation and cultural denigration. He spent many years in the United States pursuing his goal of Black Unification.