Spanish settlement in Jamaica facts for kids

The Spanish settlement in Jamaica began in the 1500s. This was when Jamaica was controlled by Spain. The Spanish presence on the island mostly ended in 1655. This is when Spain gave the island to the British Crown after signing the Treaty of Madrid. Spain never had many people living on the island. This made it easier for the British to take over.

Jamaica's Spanish Story

Columbus Arrives

Spanish people first came to Jamaica in 1494. This was when Christopher Columbus arrived. He was looking for gold, like he found in Cuba. He had heard about the island, which the Taino people called Xaymaca. This name meant "land of springs." Later, the English called it "land of wood and water." Columbus soon found there was no gold on the island.

Columbus named the island Santiago. He used it as a small area for his family. He and his sailors also started other settlements. One was Santa Gloria, now called St. Ann's Bay. Columbus named it because it was the first land they saw when they reached Jamaica.

First Spanish Towns

In 1509, the first Spanish town was built on the island. It was named New Sevilla and was close to Santa Gloria. By 1510, Juan de Esquivel became the first Spanish governor of Jamaica. The island then became part of a larger Spanish area called the Viceroyalty of New Spain.

In 1524, the settlers left New Sevilla. Around 1534, they moved to what is now Spanish Town. This new capital was founded by Governor Francisco de Garay. It had different names like Villa de la Vega. When the English took over in 1655, they renamed it Spanish Town. The oldest cathedral in Jamaica was built here.

The Spanish also started other small towns. These included Las Chorreras (now Ocho Rios) and Santa Cruz. But Villa de la Vega (Spanish Town) remained the main capital. The settlers brought new crops to Jamaica. These included sugar cane and bananas. They also brought animals like dogs, cats, and horses.

Why Spain Neglected Jamaica

Most Spaniards came to the Americas looking for gold and silver. Since Jamaica did not have much of these, Spain often did not pay much attention to the island. They mostly stayed on the flat coastal areas, especially in the north. Jamaica became a place mainly for ships to stop for supplies and rest.

English Attacks Begin

From 1595, pirates and English privateers started attacking Jamaica often. They wanted to challenge a rule from the Pope. This rule said that all new lands belonged to Spain and Portugal. After an attack in 1596, there were more attacks in 1603, 1640, and 1643.

The English eventually forced the Spanish out at Ocho Rios in St. Ann. But the big change happened in 1655. The English army, led by Admiral Sir William Penn and General Robert Venables, took over the island. They captured the last Spanish fort in Jamaica.

Spain was worried about losing the island. So, in 1659, a Spanish leader named Juan Francisco de Leiva tried to get rid of the English. He suggested sending more Spanish soldiers and workers to Jamaica. A group of Spanish soldiers did come to Santiago de la Vega (Spanish Town). They made the Spanish community stronger to fight the British.

Meanwhile, in 1660, Edward D'Oyley became the first British governor of Jamaica. This showed that Britain now controlled the island. However, Spain did not officially agree that Jamaica was a British colony until 1670.

Jewish Community in Jamaica

In 1660, Jamaica also became a safe place for Jewish people. Many had been forced to leave Spain and Portugal. An agreement with Jewish people had been made as early as 1510. The Jewish community in Jamaica was mostly made of merchants. They often had to live in secret, calling themselves "Portugals." This also added to the Hispanic community on the island.

Spain Gives Up Jamaica

The Treaty of Madrid was signed in 1670. With this treaty, Spain finally gave Jamaica and the Cayman Islands to the United Kingdom. After Britain officially took over, the Spanish settlers left. They freed their slaves, who then went into the mountains. These freed slaves joined the Maroons. The Maroons were slaves who had escaped from the Spanish earlier. They lived with the Tainos. The Jamaican Maroons fought against the British throughout the 1700s.

After the British took Jamaica, the Jewish people on the island, many from Spain and Portugal, had an idea. To stop Spain from trying to get the island back, they suggested making Jamaica a base for Caribbean pirates. With pirates in Port Royal, Spain would be less likely to attack. British leaders agreed this was a good plan to prevent future attacks.

Spanish Legacy in Jamaica

Place Names with Spanish Roots

Many places in Jamaica still have names from the Spanish time. These include Ocho Rios (meaning "Eight Rivers") and Santa Cruz ("Holy Cross"). Rio Bueno ("Good River") and Port Antonio are also Spanish names.

The name Montego Bay might come from the Spanish name "Bahía de Manteca." This means "Bay of Lard" or "Butter Bay." It refers to the many pigs used there for making butter. The town Oracabessa might come from "Cabeza de Oro," meaning "Head of Gold." This could be because of a nearby hill with yellow flowers.

Some English place names are translations of Spanish ones. Dry Harbour Bay was called "Puerto Seco" (Dry Port) by the Spanish. Columbus went there for water when his ships were damaged. Runaway Bay was where the Spanish governor, Ysassi, escaped to Cuba in 1665. The town Moneague might come from "Monte de Agua" (Mountain of Water). This is because it is surrounded by hills with a creek.

New Crops and Animals

The Spanish brought many new crops to Jamaica. These included sugar cane, bananas, and citrus fruits like oranges and lemons. They also brought most of the farm animals that are still on the island today. These include pigs, horses, goats, cats, dogs, and chickens.

See also

In Spanish: Control español de Jamaica y las Islas Caimán para niños