:: THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

The indigenous peoples of the Caribbean were mostly peaceful Tainos and warlike Caribs. The descendants of this once thriving community can now only be found in Guiana and Trinidad.

:: THE EUROPEANS

Europeans came into contact with the Caribbean after Columbus's momentous journeys in 1492, 1496 and 1498. The desire for expansion and trade led to the settlement of the colonies.

:: CARIBBEAN ECONOMY AND SLAVERY

Slave labour supplied the most coveted and important items in Atlantic and European commerce including the sugar, coffee, cotton and cacao of the Caribbean.

:: RESISTANCE AND REVOLT

Rebellion was common, with the forms including self mutilation, suicide and infanticide as well as escape and maroonage.

:: EMANCIPATION AND APPRENTICESHIP

The shortage of available labour led to the introduction of indentured labour from another of Britain's colonies, India, in 1844. By 1917, when immigration came to a halt some 145,000 Indians had come to Trinidad, and 238,000 to Guiana.

:: ECONOMIC DIVERSFICATION (1875 - 1985)

Countries are adopting measures to move away from the predominantly mono-agriculture-based economies towards economic diversification.

:: SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS IN THE 20TH CENTURY

Toward the end of the 19th century, black and coloured workers began to unite within a self-help movement inspired by black activists throughout the Caribbean.

:: THE UNITED STATES IN THE CARIBBEAN (1776 - 1985)

Due to their close proximity the United States and the Caribbean have had a historical relationship.

:: INDEPENDENCE AND REGIONAL INTEGRATION

The federation of 10 British West Indian territories was formed in 1958 with Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, and Barbados as the principal members.