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Carib Expulsion

The Carib Expulsion took place in 1660.

The Caribbean island of Martinique was invaded and seized by France in 1635. Using their overwhelming military superiority, the French forces of Pierre Belain d'Esnambuc subjected the indigenous Carib peoples to French colonial rule. Through Cardinal Richelieu, France gave the island to the Company of the American Islands (Compagnie des Isles d'Amerique). French Law is imposed on the conquered inhabitants and the Jesuits arrived to convert the "savages" to the Roman Catholic Church.

Because the Carib natives refused to cooperate and were not conquered in sufficient number to build the sugar and cocoa plantations France wanted, in 1636 Richelieu had King Louis XIII authorize the abduction of slaves from Africa for transportation to Martinique and other parts of the French West Indies to do the physical labor. The Carib people soon revolted against the occupation of their land and under Governor Charles Houel sieur de Petit Pré (1616-1682) a brutal war was launched against the Caribs. Many were slaughtered and in 1660, those who managed to survive were taken captive then expelled forever from their home.

Last updated: 10-19-2005 05:52:18
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