|
|
History
|
Christmas Rebellion con't.... |
|
Although the Christmas rebellion failed to free the slaves, the
public outcry in Britain against the appalling retribution became a
catalyst for the abolition of slavery through the Emancipation Act
passed by Britain in 1834.
In 1838, a full-grown tree was planted in the court house square
at Montego Bay, where so many of the rebellious slaves were hung as
a symbol of liberty befitting National Hero 'Daddy' Sam Sharpe. The
building was recently restored by the Urban Development Corporation,
with funding from the Venezuelan Government through the San Jose
Accord. It now function as a Civic Centre, and is the pride and
heart of Montego Bay.
After the Emancipation in 1834, the sugar industry declined
precipitously. Former slaves were understandably unwilling to work
the plantations, and preferential trade agreements for Jamaica were
abolished. Economic conditions worsened across Jamaica, and Montego
Bay was no exception. The end of the 19th century saw the
development of the banana trade, pioneered by the local firm J.E.
Kerr & Co. which took advantage of the advent of the steamship
to carry the fruit overseas. This family donated land for various
civic purposes, including the Pye River Cemetery and Jarrett Park,
the city's sports arena. Bananas are now shipped only from Kingston
and Port Antonio.
The period 1944 - 1962 saw major political changes, and a
transformation in the structure of the economy. The economy
diversified to the export of sugar, bananas and other agricultural
commodities, bauxite and alumina, and the development of the tourist
industry. The USA displaced the UK as Jamaica's principal trading
partner. Many Jamaicans migrated to the UK, USA and Canada.
The post-war boom in the economy continued through the 60's,
though it gradually slowed down, with the completion of the
investment cycle of the bauxite/alumina industry. By the end of the
decade, there were well established mining, tourism, manufacturing,
and construction sectors, alongside the traditional agricultural and
distribution sectors. The eighties saw the development of Free Zone
manufacturing especially of garments for export to the USA, the
gradual recovery of bauxite/alumina production, and the rapid growth
of tourism from North America. St. James & Montego Bay Today
Montego Bay achieved city status in 1981; celebrated by a 21-gun
salute by the Jamaica Defense Force and a fly-pass by the Air Wing,
Montego Bay was formally declared a city at 11:15 a.m on 1st May,
1981. Twenty years later, in 2001, anniversary celebrations were
held. The city is still an important port terminus for commercial
shipping, and cruise ships visit regularly. Sugar-milling and
liqueur-producing industries are present, as are factories producing
shoes, ice, and aerated water. Montego Bay's waterfront has
experienced some development, with the Howard Cooke Boulevard
by-pass, the Hip Strip, and the refurbishment of several beaches
(including Doctor's Cave and Aquasol).
Please see our economy and tourism
pages for further information.
Sources: Montego Bay, Clinton V. Black, Montego
Bay Chamber of Commerce, Montego Bay, Jamaica (1982) 'Jamaica.'
Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 2001. © 1993-2000 Microsoft
Corporation. http://www.mobay.com/town4.htm#history http://www.jamaicans.com/info/brief.htm
Brief History of Jamaica - Compiled from various history books by
Donna Essix (http://www.macalester.edu/courses/geog61/lhue/History%20of%20a%20City.html)
If you don't see what you're looking for, search
the site.
|
