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History of Trinidad & Tobago

By Madison1234
  • Period: Jan 1, 1498 to

    History Timespan

  • Jul 31, 1498

    Christopher Columbus sighted Trinidad

    Christopher Columbus sighted Trinidad
    This is extremely important to Trinidad because if Christopher Columbus did not discover Trinidad it wouldn’t exist. On May 30, 1498 he left Sanlúcar, Spain with six ships for his 3rd trip to the New World. After changing course to north by east, he sighted an island at noon that day. Because the island had three hills, he named it “La Isla de la Trinidad” and that meant “Island of the Holy Trinity”. He claimed the island would be a part of Spain.
  • Jan 1, 1500

    Trinidad had no gold, so Spaniards paid little attention to the area

    Trinidad had no gold, so Spaniards paid little attention to the area
    This was very important to Trinidad because just because Trinidad had no gold the Spaniards thought that they shouldn’t pay an attention to the area. It greatly affected Trinidad because no one paid any attention to Trinidad. It was almost 100 years before the first permanent Spanish settlement was established.

  • Britain captured Trinidad

    Britain captured Trinidad
    This greatly affected Trinidad because the War in Europe also bought a fleet of 17 British ships into Trinidad waters in 1797 and without much of a fight Trinidad changed hands and became a British possession. Over the next 100 Trinidad became a typical British sugar colony. French Dutch and British forces fought over possession of Tobago and the island changed hands 22 times. In 1814 Britain gained final control over Tobago 17 years later.

  • The English brought 1000’s of labourers from India to serve on the islands

    The English brought 1000’s of labourers from India to serve on the islands
    Image found atThis mostly affects the people, culture and religion because they were Indian that means they mostly practice the same religion, it mean they have the same color of skin and it also means that the language is affected. The Trinidad and Tobago language has words from the Kwa and Akan dialects of African origin. There are also some words from Spanish, French, Amerindian and East Indian Languages. Hindi words are also included in the language.

  • The British combined Trinidad and Tobago into one colony

    The British combined Trinidad and Tobago into one colony
    This greatly affected Trinidad and Tobago because it connected the two islands together into one country. That meant that they had to work together and help each other out. The Trinidad and Tobago Act in 1887 that provided the legal foundation to help the British combine Trinidad and Tobago into one colony opened the door of disadvantage for Tobago.

  • The country's vast oil industry helped make Trinidad and Tobago one of the richest countries in the Caribbean

    The country's vast oil industry helped make Trinidad and Tobago one of the richest countries in the Caribbean
    Image found at:This affected a lot because before the 1900’s they didn’t even produce oil. Now they are one of the richest countries in the Caribbean. It was a great achievement for Trinidad and Tobago. It was throughout the 1900’s so Trinidad and Tobago was the richest country in the Caribbean for about 100 years.

  • The nation gained independence and became a republic within the British Commonwealth

    The nation gained independence and became a republic within the British Commonwealth
    This greatly affected Trinidad and Tobago because they got their own flag for their country. The two white stripes are symbolic of the bountiful sea, the red represents the people, and black represents their hard work and strength. It meant that Trinidad and Tobago would need to provide for themselves.

  • A group of militant Muslims took Arthur N. R. Robinson and 45 other people hostage, after 6 days and 24 deaths, the hostages were released

    A group of militant Muslims took Arthur N. R. Robinson and 45 other people hostage, after 6 days and 24 deaths, the hostages were released
    Image found at:This must have really affected Trinidad and Tobago because the Muslims took their prime minister at the time Arthur N. R. Robinson 45 other people, which meant they didn’t have a prime minister. It also added presser on the families of those other 45 people the Muslims took hostage. It would have affected the country as a whole.

  • Politicians in Trinidad and Tobago sometimes use racial issues in their campaigns, and voting often follows racial lines

    Politicians in Trinidad and Tobago sometimes use racial issues in their campaigns, and voting often follows racial lines
    This affects Trinidad and Tobago right now because there is voting right now. It’s important because it affects all the people in Trinidad and Tobago and who their prime minister will be. It could also affect the rest of the Caribbean.

  • Kamla Persad-Bissessar became the country's first female prime minister

    Kamla Persad-Bissessar became the country's first female prime minister
    Image found at:This is important because it means that the women in Trinidad and Tobago are taking a stand. She was named as one of the top 10 female leaders around the globe for her pioneering contribution to politics and social restructuring and gender equality.