Saint Vincent and the Grenadines History

History
The Carib Indians who originally populated the island aggressively prevented European settlement on St. Vincent until the 1700's. The French first settled on the island in 1719. Shortly thereafter, the British tried to take control of the island. After much discussion, it was ceded to Britain in 1763. St. Vincent and the Grenadines were the last of the Windward Islands to gain independence in 1970's.

The British captured the island from the French during the Seven Years' War fought between 1754 and 1763. St Vincent was ceded to Great Britain by the Treaty of Paris in 1763, after which friction between the British and the Caribs led to the First Carib War. On taking control of the island in 1763, the British laid the foundations of Fort Charlotte.

England claimed but did not occupy St. Vincent in 1627, it was considered neutral by 1660, and Carib Indians repelled European settlements until France founded Barrouallie in 1719. Great Britain gained rule in 1722, the island was then neutral until 1748. Great Britain and France then each claimed the island as follows: France 1756, Great Britain 1763, France 1779, Great Britain 1783, and made fully independent in 1979. 

Timeline
1627 -The English were the first to lay claim to St Vincent 1754 - 1763 St Vincent was ceded to Great Britain by the Treaty of Paris in 1763, after which friction between the British and the Caribs led to the First Carib War 1779 - The island was restored to French rule and regained by the British under the Treaty of Versailles in 1783. 1903 - The La Soufrière volcano erupted, killing 5,000 people. Much farmland was damaged, and the economy deteriorated