Historical Highlights of Anguilla

The island of Anguilla was the home for many Arawaks before disappearing and being colonized by the British in 1950. The island was later attacked and harassed by many neighboring islands, French, and Indian settlers because of its resources and location for trade.

During the 17th century they began to experience privation because the need for tobacco and cotton the island's cash crop had decreased. Although the need of tobacco had decreased the need for sugar in Europe had increased causing the island settlers to begin growing sugarcane. Sugar had become the island's source of income and to meet demands of sugar the settlers began using slave labor. Anguilla economic development continued to be unsettled because of the continuous attacks by the French.

In 1825 the British government gave Saint Kitts the power to make all laws for Anguilla. Many Anguillan people opposed the idea and protested the power of Saint Kitts. In 1834 Britain ended slavery in the colonies causing the plantation owners to sell their land to the former African slaves and returning to the United Kingdom.

In 1967 Anguilla became rebellious against Saint Kitts after becoming part of an associated state with Saint Kitts and Nevis. After trying to come up with a resolution for two years British troops interfered and was placed under British rule again because of the Anguilla Act. In 1980 Anguilla became a dependent territory of the United Kingdom. Today it is now a stable parliamentary democracy with a growing economy.

Interesting and surprising findings

I was surprised to hear about how many times it was colonized and ran by different people.

I also find it interesting that after slavery ended the slave owners left.

3 islands I'm considering

Anguilla

Antigua

Barbuda

Sources

Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/island. Accessed 6 February 2021.

Virtual Caribbean. Georgia Gwinnett College, https://ggccaribbean.wpengine.com/listing/antigua-and-barbuda/. Accessed 27 Jan. 2021.

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