Martinique History

During the period of European exploration and colonization, Martinique was first discovered by the Spanish. However the French rapidly entered and took control.

Martinique was first controlled by France 1635, then, for a very short time by Great Britain 1762, with France recovering the territory in 1763.

Except for three short periods of British occupation, Martinique has been a French possession since 1635. Most of the Carib Indians were killed, and the rest were gradually absorbed into the population. Martinique became semi-autonomous under a high commissioner until 1943, when the Free French took over. In 1946 its status was changed to an Overseas Department.