The French colonization

The cardinal Richelieu, in the name of king Louis XIII, created the COMPAGNIE DES ISLES D'AMERIQUE (Company of Isles of America) ( 1635-1650 ) to colonize the islands of the Lesser Antilles. The actual conquest of Martinique began with the arrival of a French adventurer, Pierre Belain d' Esnambuc,on September 15th, 1635. In 1550, the sugar cane had already become the only culture of the islands.The first meetings between the Caribs and the French were  rather cordial.However as the Caribs were gradually deprived of their lands,they decided to rebel against the French. After several years of conflicts,the French  under the rule of Beausoleil eventually chased away the Caribs of Martinique in 1658 .The latter took refuge in the island of Dominica and Saint Vincent.