You can better understand any country when you have an understanding of its early history.
The island of Barbados has an interesting history, with England at its center and a few surprise ties with the United States.
Here's a history timeline beginning at A.D. 500 to 2005:
A.D. 500 - The Barrancoid Indians arrived on the island of Barbados from Trinidad, and by a.d. 600 there is no record of them in Barbados
A.D. 800 - The Arawak Indians arrive in Barbados, but were conquered by the warlike Carib Indians in AD 1200
A.D. 1500 - The Carib Indians disappear from Barbados
1536 - Portuguese explores visit Barbados, but they did not settle the island. The name of the island comes from the Portuguese - they named the island Barbados because of the bearded men found on the island.
1625 - Captain John Powell lands on Barbados and claims the island for King James I of England
1627 - Captain Henry Powell establishes colony at Holetown using white indentured servants from England to cultivate the tobacco crop. When the sugar crop was introduced, Britain imported Black slaves from Africa
1630 - Islanders form "Society of Barbados Adventurers" to establish colonies in the U.S. Carolinas, and starting the first tie with the future United States of America
1639 - Barbados first parliament, the House of Assembly, holds it first meeting
1652 - Treaty of Oistins signed - Planters rebel against England's tax and England sends ships to put down rebellion and are defeated. This treaty will serve as a format for the U.S. Declaration of Independence
1692 - First slave revolt in Barbados colonies unsuccessful
1751 - Future President of the United States, George Washington visits Barbados for 7 weeks at the age of 19
1813 - Lord Nelson's Statue erected on Bridgetown's Trafalgar Square - This statue is older than the square and statue of the same name in England
1816 - Slaves state a revolt led by Washington Franklin and a black save named "Bussa". The revolt was unsuccessful and both men were executed. The statue of Bussa on the island today is in honor of the early freedom fighter.
1833 - Slavery in the British Empire is abolished with the Emancipation Act being passed from the British Parliament. Slaves in Barbados did not attain full freedom until 1838.
1841-1845 - Barbados is considered the healthiest place in the world with a ratio of 1 death per 66 people vs. the world's average of 1 death per 35 people
1876 - British proposal for a confederation of Barbados and the Windward Islands triggers violent riots in Barbados
1937 - Political Parties Formed - Barbados Labor Party (BLP) founded by Grantley Adams in response to riots and social unrest by the working class in response to poor economic conditions. Barbados current day airport is named in honor of Grantley Adams.
1951 - Universal adult suffrage introduced and the BLP wins the general elections
1954 - Ministerial government is set up by Grantley Adams as leader
1955 - Democratic Labor Party (DLP) formed by unhappy members of the BLP
1958-1961 - Barbados becomes a member of the British sponsored Federation of the West Indies. Grantley Adams becomes the first Prime Minister.
1961 - Barbados is granted full internal self-government and the DLP leader Errol Barrow as Premier.
1966 - Nov 29th the island of Barbados becomes independent with the passing of the Barbados Independence Order Act at the request of Errol Barrow. Independence Day is celebrated on November 30th of each year. The island still retained the Queen of England as the Head of State, and she is represented on Barbados by a Barbadian Governor General.
1967 - The island of Barbados joins the United Nations
1972 - The island of Barbados establishes relations with the island of Cuba
1976 - Tom Adams, son of Grantley Adams, and a member of the BLP is elected as Prime Minister with the first win in a general election since 1961
1983 - Barbados supports and provides a base for the United States invasion of the island of Grenada
1985 - Tom Adams dies and is replaced by Bernard St John (BLP) as Prime Minister
1986 - Errol Barrow becomes Prime Minister after the DLP wins the general election
1987 - Erskine Lloyd Sandiford (DLP) become Prime Minister following the death of Barrow
1994 - Owen Arthur becomes Prime Minister after his BLP wins victory in the general election
1999 - Owen Arthur and the BLP wins in a landslide election
1997 - President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hiliary Clinton unveiled a plague marking President Clinton visit along with the visit of President George Washington over 250 years ago
2002 - Barbados is removed from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECO) list of countries who are deemed to be uncooperative tax havens. Barbados was put on the list in 2000.
2003 - Owen Arthur wins again in the general election for a third term
2004 - Barbados which became an independent member of the British Commonwealth in 1966, will become a Republic and replace the Queen of England as Head of State with a Barbadian
2005 has yet to be written, but it will mark the year Barbados breaks with its English tradition as the Queen of England as its Head of State. Barbados is chartering into new territory and has plans to become a Republic with a local Bajan becoming Head of State.
The island of Barbados has come a long way in their development into one of the most successful islands in the Caribbean.
During the past 300 years the island has developed into the only Caribbean island with the most return visitors; an island which boasts a strong local middle class; and an educational program that has produced 97% literacy.
I have no doubt whatever direction Barbados decides to go, the island will remain strong, and Bajans will remain proud of their heritage and continue to welcome visitors with their warmth.