History of Saint Lucia: Discovery

Discovering Saint Lucia: History

Histoire

Saint Lucia is part of the Lesser Antilles, and has most certainly been inhabited since the Meso-Indian period (5,000 B.C., see the section on History) or the Pre-Ceramic period. In accordance with our current knowledge, this society underwent great change when agriculture and ceramics arrived (saladoid culture). What we know only allows us to go back as far as populating the goes to between 200 and 400 A.D. In other words, if we use traditional terminology, back to the Arawak peoples. Starting in the 7th century, the Lesser Antilles (including Saint Lucia) started showing signs of a new orientation in cultural progress. This is mainly revealed with artisnal activities which are on the decline (less elaborate forms, etc.). It was Saint Lucia that had the privilege of baptising this distinction under the name of the troumassoide culture, getting its name from a site on the island. Apparently, the island was then called « Louanalao « (land of the iguana) and remained occupied until the arrival of the Europeans.

Christopher Colombus, during his fourth voyage to the Caribbean in 1502, had the privilege of being the first European to see the island of Saint Lucia by daylight, on 13 December. The English arrived on the island in 1605. A first colony of sixty-seven men settled on the island. One month later, the nineteen survivors had to flee on a boat, pursued by the natives. Another English attempt failed in 1639.
The French arrived in 1651. Eight years later, the fight broke out between the French and the English for control of the territory. The start of a long period of suspense that was to last one hundred and fifty years! During this period, Saint Lucia changed hands fourteen times. The most memorable battle took place in 1780 when Admiral Rodney, in command of the English fleet, surprised the French ships commanded by Admiral de Grasse at Pigeon Island. Saint Lucia was finally handed over to the English in 1814 but virtually remained French during the 17th and 18th centuries.
The first town built in 1764 was that of la Soufrière.
In 1780, the French had already built twelve towns and had opened the first sugar operation. The abolition of slavery in 1838 marked the start of the fall in the sugar industry on the island. The first workers of Indian origin arrived in 1882 in order to make up for the shortage in manpower. This flow of immigrants was to last about thirty years and many workers settled on the island. Saint Lucia became independent on 22 February 1979. Still a member of the Commonwealth, it is now governed by the Prime Minister, Dr Kenny Antony (born in 1951), elected for five years via universal franchise.

Chronology

Before 1502: The island is under the influence of the saladoides (the Arawaks) and the troumassoide (Caribbean) cultures.
1502: Christopher Colombus discovers the island.
1639: The Caribbeans massacre the English colonists.
1650: French settlements are set up.
1660: Treaty between the French and the Caribbean.
1660-1814 : During the French and British confrontations, Saint Lucia changes hands fourteen times.
1814: The Treaty of Paris makes it a British colony.
1833: Abolition of slavery.
1967: The colony becomes an associated state of the Commonwealth.
1967: Independence.