This section holds a short summary of the history of the area of present-day Grenada, illustrated with maps, including historical maps of former countries and empires that included present-day Grenada.
The original inhabitants of present-day Grenada, the Arawaks, are wiped out by the Caribs. Christopher Columbus discovers the island in 1498. Mainly because of the Caribs, Grenada remains uncolonized for more than 100 years after its discovery: early English efforts to settle the island are unsuccessful. Grenada becomes a French colony in 1650 and the French army destroys the Caribs.
In the Seven Years' War Grenada is conquered by the United Kingdom in 1762. France rules again between 1779 and 1783, but British rule is restored in 1783. Between 1833 and 1960 Grenada is part of the federal colony of the Windward Islands. From 1954 to 1956 Grenada has its own chief minister. Self-government is interrupted between 1956 and 1958, but in 1958 Grenada regains internal self-government as it becomes part of the West Indies Federation (see map).
After the dissolution of the British West Indies in 1962, Grenada becomes a seperate British colony. Grenada is restyled in 1967 as an associated state. In 1974 Grenada becomes independent.
Notes and references
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