The History of West Indies traces back to around 7000 years. The earliest archaeological evidence of human settlement found here is of 3600 BC.
First European explorer was Christopher Columbus who traveled to Americas, and contacted Bahamas and Cuba and the northern coast of Hispaniola. Years later Spain conquered large islands of Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Jamaica and Trinidad. After Spanish Empire European countries colonized West Indies.
The first island to be seized was Jamaica in 1655, later they also conquered island like Barbados, St. Kitts and Nevis, Antigua, Montserrat, and Bermuda.
France gained control over Haiti in 1967 in addition to this the county was also ruling Guadeloupe, Hispaniola and Martinique and Tortuga. Netherlands controlled took over Saba, Saint Martin, Sint Eustatius, Curaçao, Bonaire, Aruba, Tobago, St. Croix, Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda, Anguilla and Porto Rico.
Haiti was the first Caribbean island to gain independence in 1791. Now Haiti boasts to be the world's oldest black republic along with being the second-oldest republic in the Western Hemisphere, after the United States.
History of West Indies tells us that most nations got independence in the 19th century. Some smaller states are still dependent on European powers. Between the years 1958 and 1962 maximum number of British-controlled Caribbean colonies became the West Indies Federation. Later this federation separated to form many small nations.
Today we can see a great American influence on West Indies countries the scenario has been same since Monroe Doctrine. Now West Indies is trying to reestablish itself and is looking towards a bright future.
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