This year, in 2021, Martinique can claim to be a French island for 386 years!
Indeed, Pierre Belain D'esnambuc, a Norman buccaneer installed in Saint Kitts, mandated by Cardinal Richelieu, steward of the French Crown, leaves to take possession of the island. With a hundred men, he landed in an area near the Plage du Coin or Plage du Carbet on September 15, 1635. It was from this date that the island was considered part of France.
He will leave his nephew Jacques Dyel du Parquet, as head of authority. There he founded the towns of Saint Pierre and Fort-Royal. The island was administered by a Governor who was responsible for applying the laws decreed by the Kings, French Emperors.
The island will be occupied several times by the British, notably once during the Seven Years' War and twice during the Napoleonic Wars. Between 1794 and 1802, Martinique will also be occupied by the British and did not experience the first abolition of slavery decreed after the French Revolution.
Indeed, the capture of Martinique will be an event of the wars of the French Revolution. Under the command of Admiral John Jervis, Martinique then defended by the French garrison of General Donation-Marie-Joseph de Rochambeau, the military Governor of the island is captured.
It must be said that the context was favorable. The island was considerably divided between the colonists who opposed the abolition of slavery decreed by Paris and the advent of the Republic. When the English landed, there were more than 6,000 men while the French garrison had only 900 members. The local militias refuse to support the French garrison. After only 32 days of siege, they surrendered.
Martinique will remain English until 1802 and the Peace of Amiens concludes with the Treaty of Amiens on March 25, 1802 which among other things will return the island to the French. The island becomes French again under the same conditions as it was under British domination, namely that slavery is maintained there.
Although the date of 1635 is the one that is officially recognized if we consider the date of 1802, Martinique has been French for 219 years.
Therefore the island will remain a French colony. In 1946, Martinique became a French overseas department then a French Department and Region. It has been a Single Territorial Collectivity (Collectivité Territoriale Unique) from December 2015.
