Black History Kirklees

From Africa to the Caribbean The first European to arrive in the Caribbean was the explorer Christopher Columbus in 1492.  Sponsored by Spain he was seeking a Westerly trade route to India and the Spice Islands (known as the East Indies). Instead of finding this route he found the Caribbean Islands which he named the West Indies.  It was quickly realised that these islands were full of possibilities to increase wealth for Spain. European settlers were sent to govern and exploit the islands.  The native communities were treated very badly, enslaved, treated brutally and many were killed.  The Arawak Indian community was wiped out by European illnesses they had no immunity to. The Carib Indian community constantly battled against the intruders.  To make the islands profitable a reliable workforce was needed.  The Portuguese had started exploring the coast of Africa and had begun trading African people as slaves.  To meet demand for labour in their colonies in the Americas and other Europ