History of Tobago - itzcaribbean

Brief History of Tobago

The islands Amerindian, believed to be mainly Carib, called it Tavaco, after the name of a long pipe in which they burnt and inhaled the smoke of the plant they called vcohiba – tobacco. The name then changed many times over centuries finally settling on Tobago.

Tobago was sighted by Christopher Columbus, and he crew in 1498, but never became a Spanish colony. 1502 – Spain had no plans to occupy or colonise Tobago, and never committed the resources to do so.

For the first 125 years following Tobago’s “discovery” in 1502, historic data is fragmentary and the island appears to have remained mostly obscure. During this period there were English reports that the island was uninhabited. Pirates including Henry Morgan would use the island coves as a base for their raids on Spanish shipping, in fact most of the 17th and 18th Centuries Tobago was a haven for pirates.

In 1608 James I claimed sovereignty over the island, and for the next 200 years Tobago changed hands between the Dutch, French, English, and Courlanders over the next century Tobago changed hands more tomes than any other island in the Caribbean In 1763 Tobago was ceded to the British by the French, and the land was divided into parishes and sold. In the late 1700′, there were burgeoning sugar plantions,as well as cotton and indigo, and a number of slave rebellions.

The island was finally taken over by the British, for good, in 1803. The abolition of slavery in 1836, and the collapse of the sugar crop thrust the island into economic despair. This led to the decision to unite the island with Trinidad in 1898. Tobago experienced a high in 1962 with the Independence of Trinidad and Tobago from Britain on August 31, 1962. But, a year later, the island suffered one of its darkest moments when it was struck by Hurricane Flora.

The island was finally taken over by the British, for good, in 1803. The abolition of slavery in 1836, and the collapse of the sugar crop thrust the island into economic despair.There was a sugar crisis in the West Indies in 1886. Tobago was in a state of depression due to lack of capital, immigrant labour and cultivation of the soil. Modern methods were necessary for the development of the island.

By an Order in Council, dated October 20th 1888, Tobago was made subordinate to Trinidad, as from January 1st 1889. The island was to be administered by a Resident Commissioner, who was ex officio a member of the Trinidad Legislative Council and appointed by the Governor of Trinidad. This led to the decision to unite the island with Trinidad in 1898. Tobago experienced a high in 1962 with the Independence of Trinidad and Tobago from Britain on August 31, 1962. But, a year later, the island suffered one of its darkest moments when it was struck by Hurricane Flora.

Tobago’s motto ‘Pulchrior evenit’ (‘she becomes more beautiful’) was adopted in 1816.