Figure 1.--The French on St. Lucia opened sugar plantations on St. Lucia and introduced captive Africans as slaves to work on the plantations. As a result, like other sugar islands in the Caribbean, the population is now largely black. This fishing group was photographed at Gros Islet in 1962.

St. Lucia was settled by the Arawaks (3rd century AD). The Caribs overcame the Arawaks (9th century AD). The Native American peoples called the island 'Iouanalao' and 'Hewanorra' which meant "Island of the Iguanas." Columbus is believed to have first sighted the Island (1502). Some historians believe the first Europan to sight the Island was Juan de la Cosa although te date of discovery is disputed (1499). He once served under Columbus as a navigator. The discovery is uncertain in part because no European settled the island at the time. The forst Europeans to arrive on the Island were pirates (1550s). Francois le Clerc (Jambe de Bois/Peg Leg) estanlished a base for his operations on Pigeon Island. He targeted Spanish treasure galleons. The Dutch were the first Europeans to attempt to hold St. Lucia. They built a fortified base at Vieux Fort (about 1600). The first colonization project was an accident. A group of English colonists on the Olive Branch headed for Guyana was blown off course and landed on St. Lucia (1605). The 67 settlers purchased land from the Caribs. Most died or were killed by the Caribs within a month, 19 survivors fled the Island in a canoe. A second English group also failed (1639). The French arived soon after and the French West India Company "purchased" the Island. This began a long term struggle for control of St. Lucia, part of a world-wide struggle between Britain and France that was not ended until Waterloo (1815). The first successful settlements were French. The first was Soufriere (1746). The French settlement grew and 12 settlments and a number of sugar plantations were established. As elsewhere in the Caribbean, captive Africans were enslaved to work the sugar plantations. And as a result the population of the island became largely black. The first British invasion, the "Battle of Cul de Sac, occured during the American Revolutin which France joined (1778). The British launched several additional attacks during the conflicts assoiciated with the French Revolution and Napoleonic War. Nelson's victory at Trafalgur (1805) and the ensuing British command of the sea meant that the French could not effectively defend St. Lucia. The British finally seized control (1814). Britain granted independence within the Commonwealth (1979). The local creole dialect is testimony to the French colonial foundation. St. Lucia as an independent country has proven to be a stable, multicultural democracy.

Created: 12:57 AM 3/4/2008
Last updated: 12:57 AM 3/4/2008