The history of the Caribbean is to a great extent the story of human migration and settlement. Various ethnic groups over millennia moved into the Caribbean under different circumstances to create the society we see today. After establishing a permanent presence, Caribbean people began to migrate within and without the region to create a 'Caribbean' diaspora. Study the timeline below that gives a brief synopsis of the important groups and events that shaped the history of Caribbean migration.
A Chronology of the Caribbean
Note that Chinese labourers were actually being brought to Trinidad since 1806 - before the abolition of slavery!
Click on the arrow to view the You Tube view that sheds some light on the ethnic composition of the Caribbean as a result of migration.
Did you know? Click on the wheel to reveal interesting facts about the Caribbean migration process and its associated historical events.