Trinidad History - Reviewed

Trinidad and Tobago has enjoyed a rich history since being discovered in 1498. Trinidad and Tobago history's is deemed colorful because Trinidad and Tobago was colonized by Spanish, French and English settlers who finally after the abolition of slavery added several indentured laborers who greatly contributed to the Trinidad and Tobago history and led to Trinidad independence and the Trinidad and Tobago republic. The largest land mass in the 23-island archipelago that makes up the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Trinidad has been settled by humans for at least 7000 years. Various dynamic cultures flourished on the island during that time before contact with Europeans, but it was the Mayoid people, who arrived around 1300, that were present when Christopher Columbus landed on Trinidad on July 31, 1498. Unfortunately, as was the case with many other areas, the coming of Europeans heralded in Trinidad’s darkest period. Slaving raids, hostile conversion and outright massacre decimated the island’s population over the following centuries. Spaniards continued to encourage settlement on the island, which became dotted with sugar plantations. However, the population remained so low that the Spanish government began to allow settlement by any European Catholic, regardless of nationality. It is during this period that much of the still-present French influence has its roots.

The island passed into British hands in 1797, and slavery was abolished throughout the Empire in 1833. Though obviously a tremendous step forward for humanity, the sudden disappearance of slave labor shattered the island’s economy, which was eventually rebuilt by emphasizing cacao production and later petroleum industry. The Crown unified Trinidad and Tobago into a single colony in 1889, but it wasn’t until 1962 that the people of the islands received political independence. Since, the islands have prospered, primarily due to the oil boom. As one of the Caribbean’s most picturesque and developed destinations, Trinidad has become a favorite for tourists from around the globe. Political difficulties in the post-Black Power era culminated in the "No Vote" campaign of 1971 (which resulted in the PNM (TRINIDAD) winning all the seats in Parliament). In 1979, construction on the Eric Williams Plaza began. It would eventually finish in 1986. It remained the tallest building in Trinidad and Tobago until the construction of the Nicholas Tower in 2003.

Williams died in office in 1981. The PNM (TRINIDAD) remained in power following the death of Dr. Williams. The NAR also won 11 of the 12 seats in the Tobago House of Assembly. The NAR began to break down when the Indian component withdrew in 1988. Basdeo Panday, leader of the old United Labour Front (ULF), formed the new opposition with the United National Congress (UNC (TRINIDAD)). The NAR's margin was immediately reduced to 27 seats, with six for the UNC (TRINIDAD) and three for the PNM (TRINIDAD). In July 1990, the Jamaat al Muslimeen, an extremist Black Muslim group with an unresolved grievance against the government of Trinidad over land claims, tried to overthrow the NAR government of Trinidad. The group held the prime minister and members of parliament hostage for 5 days while rioting shook Port of Spain. In December 1991, the NAR captured only the two districts in Tobago. The PNM (TRINIDAD), led by Patrick Manning, carried a majority of 21 seats, and the UNC (TRINIDAD) came in second. Manning became the new Prime Minister and Basdeo Panday continued to lead the opposition. In November 1995, Manning called early elections, in which the PNM (TRINIDAD) and UNC (TRINIDAD) both won 17 seats and the NAR won two seats. The UNC (TRINIDAD) allied with the NAR and formed the new government of Trinidad, with Panday becoming prime minister - the first prime minister of Indo-Trinidad descent. Elections held in December 2000 returned the UNC (TRINIDAD) to power when they won 19 seats, while the opposition PNM (TRINIDAD) won 16, and the NAR 1. The UNC (TRINIDAD) government of Trinidad fell in October 2001 with the defection of three of its parliamentarians, and the December 2001 elections resulted in an even 18 to 18 split between the UNC (TRINIDAD) and the PNM (TRINIDAD). Taking a page from the United States Supreme Court, President Robinson appointed Patrick Manning Prime Minister despite the fact that the UNC (TRINIDAD) won the popular vote and that Panday was the sitting Prime Minister. Despite the fact that Manning was unable to attract a majority (and Parliament was thus unable to sit), he delayed calling elections until October of 2002. The PNM (TRINIDAD) formed the next government of Trinidad after winning 20 seats, while the UNC (TRINIDAD) won 16. Both parties are committed to free market economic policies and increased foreign investment. Trinidad and Tobago has remained cooperative with the United States in the regional fight against narcotics trafficking and on other issues. In inability or unwillingness of the current PNM (TRINIDAD) government of Trinidad to deal with crime has led to a severe deterioration in security conditions in the country. In addition, a resurgent Jamaat al Muslimeen continues to be a threat to stability. The FBI recently opened an office in Trinidad in connection with its hunt for Adnan el-Shukrijumah.

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