For greater than 145 years, Jamaica was below Spanish management. Claimed by Christopher Columbus in 1494 and settled within the early 1500s, the island remained a quiet colonial outpost within the Spanish West Indies. Not like the bustling commerce hubs of Havana or Cartagena, Jamaica was sparsely populated and largely uncared for. Most of its economic system relied on cattle, subsistence farming, and a small enslaved African inhabitants. That every one modified in Could 1655, when England launched a daring and in the end profitable invasion.
The Western Design and a Failed Starting
The invasion of Jamaica was not a part of the unique plan. In 1654, Oliver Cromwell launched what he known as the “Western Design” — a grand plan to expand English influence in the Caribbean and weaken Spain’s maintain on the area. Command of the mission was shared between Common Robert Venables and Admiral William Penn. Collectively, they led a pressure of round 7,000 males aboard 38 ships. The purpose was to strike at main Spanish possessions, however poor planning would quickly doom their preliminary effort.
Their first goal was Hispaniola, certainly one of Spain’s wealthiest islands. The English landed in April 1655 however have been ambushed, outmanoeuvred and overwhelmed. Torrential rains ruined provides and gunpowder, and troops suffered large losses. With morale shattered and practically a 3rd of their males lifeless, Venables and Penn deserted the assault. To keep away from returning dwelling empty-handed, they turned to Jamaica — seen as a better prize with fewer defences.
Could 19, 1655 – The British Invasion Begins
On 19 Could 1655, the English fleet anchored off the coast of Jamaica close to Level Morant. Spanish officers, already warned of the fleet’s strategy, scrambled to arrange. The island’s defences, nevertheless, have been minimal and no match for the massive English pressure.
Could 21 – Touchdown at Caguaya Bay
Two days later, on 21 Could, the English sailed into Caguaya Bay, now often called Kingston Harbour. Due to the shallow waters, Admiral Penn transferred to a lighter vessel to direct the touchdown. English troops got here ashore with little resistance and shortly started to maneuver inland towards the capital, Santiago de la Vega.
Could 23–25 – Push to the Capital
The Spanish, outnumbered and under-supplied, started to retreat. Some fled for the mountains, whereas others ready to evacuate the island altogether. In the course of the chaos, Spanish settlers freed their enslaved Africans, lots of whom additionally escaped inland. These people and their descendants would later turn out to be often called the Maroons — key figures in Jamaica’s lengthy historical past of resistance.
By 25 Could, the English had occupied Santiago de la Vega. What little resistance remained was scattered. The English suffered minimal casualties and shortly established management over the city.
Could 27 – Spanish Give up
On 27 Could 1655, Spanish Governor Juan Ramírez de Arellano formally surrendered. The phrases allowed Spanish inhabitants two weeks to go away the island peacefully. Many departed for Cuba, together with the governor himself, who later died en path to Mexico. The English had claimed Jamaica, however the victory got here with a steep worth and unsure future.
The swift seize of Jamaica had speedy army worth for England, however it additionally marked the start of a for much longer wrestle to carry the island. Although the Spanish now not held formal energy, their former slaves, now free, took to the hills and launched a marketing campaign of guerrilla resistance in alliance with Spanish holdouts. The English, nonetheless weakened by the failed Hispaniola marketing campaign, would quickly realise that holding Jamaica was far harder than taking it.
Aftermath and Fallout
Whereas the English had achieved a tactical victory inside every week, the invasion didn’t convey the fast spoils or glory Cromwell had hoped for. The scenario on the bottom remained unstable. Illness swept by means of the English camp. Provides have been low, and morale was poor.
Venables, already weakened by sickness, was left behind when Admiral Penn sailed for England with half the fleet on 25 June. Determined to inform his facet of the story, Venables adopted weeks later. Each males have been imprisoned within the Tower of London upon their return for abandoning their posts with out permission.
Nonetheless, the occasions between 19 and 27 Could 1655 marked a turning level not simply in Jamaica’s colonial historical past however within the Caribbean’s wider geopolitical panorama.
Within the hills of Jamaica, the seeds of resistance have been already taking root, setting the stage for the fierce guerrilla warfare that will observe. The invasion was over. The actual battle for Jamaica was simply starting.
Subsequent: Half 2 – Guerrilla Conflict within the Hills
We’ll discover how Jamaica’s newly freed Maroons teamed up with Spanish forces to withstand the British occupation.
