Guadeloupe Colonial Records

Spanish Colonization
During the 16th century, Spanish colonization was attempted on Guadeloupe. These colonization attempts failed as the Caribs people attacked the settlers. In 1626, French settlers expelled the Spanish from Guadeloupe.

French Colonization (1626-present)
The French took over Guadeloupe from the Spanish in 1626, and in 1635 as more settlers from France arrived, it was proclaimed to be a French possession. In 1674, it was formally annexed to France as a tutelage of the Martinique colony. England occupied Guadeloupe from 1659-1663 during the Seven Years War. In 1810 England conquered Guadeloupe, handing it over to Sweden in 1813, and in 1814 Sweden ceded it back to France. Guadeloupe became an overseas department of France in 1946, and in 1974 they became a region.