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Throughout its history, Guadeloupe was the rope in a
tug-of-war between France and England. The first settlers came from France as indentured
servants in exchange for their passage. When the French government lost their sugarcane
crops by abolishing slavery, the citizens invited the English to invade. The French, irate
at the islanders' actions, sent 1,150 French men to the island to re-establish power and
get rid of the English. Guillotines were built in the main squares of Basse-Terre and
Pointe-a-Pitre to make an example of those who were disloyal. It took 4,000 Guadeloupeans
to lose their heads before France finally regained control. Today Guadeloupe is still part
of France and abides by all French government rules. |
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