AD 1493: Spanish settlers enslave the Taíno of Hispaniola

Spain founds Santo Domingo, the first of many towns on the Caribbean island Hispaniola (now the location of Haiti and the Dominican Republic). Spanish colonists force the Native Taíno people, on pain of death, to perform almost all labor on the island.

Christopher Columbus, who needs to demonstrate the wealth of the New World after finding no gold, loads his ship with enslaved Taíno people. During the next four decades, slavery contributes to the deaths of 7 million Taíno. By 1535, the Taíno culture on Hispaniola is gone.

Theme

Native Rights

Region

Caribbean, Southeast