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All About Grendada
Christopher
Columbus discovered Grenada in 1498. The Carib Indians, who had migrated
from the South American mainland, and conquered the peaceful Arawaks who
inhabiting the island, already inhabited the Island. The Amerindians called
their island Camerhogue, but Columbus renamed the island Conception. However,
passing Spanish sailors rejected this name in favor of Grenada. The French
then called it La Grenade, and the British followed suit, changing Grenade
to Grenada (pronounced Gre-nay-da).
Europeans were unable to establish settlement on this island until the 17th century because of the Caribs' Aggressive defense of the island. In 1609 some English and the French made many attempts in the next 50 years, but their attempts were unsuccessful. It was not until 1650 that a French expedition from Martinique landed and made initial friendly contact with the inhabitants. Hostilities between the Caribs and the French broke out almost immediately after the French tried to gain control of the whole island.
The Caribs were determined not to submit to French rule. But they found themselves losing battle after battle, and in a final act desperation the last surviving Caribs jumped to their death off a precipice in the north of the island. The French named the spot "Le Morne de Sauteurs," or "Leapers' Hill." For the next ninety years, the French struggled unsuccessfully to keep the island from falling into the hands of the British.
Fort George and Fort Frederick, two of the French's strongholds for defending the island still command the heights overlooking St. George's harbor. They stand relics and reminders of the island's turbulent past. The island was permanently ceded to the British under the Treaty of Versailles in 1783.
Having gained stable possession of Grenada, the British immediately imported large numbers of slaves from Africa and established sugar plantations. In 1795 British control was seriously challenged by Julian Fedon, a black planter inspired by the French Revolution. Under Fedon's leadership, the island's slaves rose up in a violent rebellion. the British proceeded to crushed the rebellion, but tensions on the island between the British and their slaves remained high until slavery was abolished in 1834.
In 1877 Grenada became a Crown Colony, and in 1967 it became an associate state within the British Commonwealth and then in 1974 Grenada gained her independence. Despite the island's long history of British rule, the island's French heritage (both colonial and revolutionary) survives in its names, its buildings, and its strong Catholicism.
In honor of Fedin's courage and bravery the Grenadine people celebrate their history, they hold a ceremony to commemorate the rebellion. In 1979,the first attempt to set up a socialist/communist state in Grenada was made. Four years later the Governor General requested assistance from the international community to maintain order in his country. The United States, Jamaica, and the Eastern Caribbean States intervened militarily, launching their now famous "rescue mission". The allied forces restored order, and in December of 1984 a general election re-established democratic government. President Reagan justified the action on grounds that the United States would not tolerate the expansion on communism in the Caribbean and to protect American students at the St. George's University School of Medicine located on Grande Anse beach in Grenada. For a detailed account of the invasion visit: Ranger1 and McUrry
Today Grenada is a very beautiful island one of the more pleasant islands in the Caribbean. It is a very popular tourist destination offering the entire modern conveniences and breath-taking scenery. This island has come a long way from its troubled past and is a great place for nature lovers and anyone just wanting to relax and get away from it all.
