Between 1520 and 1629, it was successively invaded by Spanish and French colonists.
In 1632, the island was occupied by the British, who brought in enslaved people from Africa to cultivate tobacco and sugarcane.
In 1667, it officially became a British colony under the Treaty of Breda.
In 1736, a slave uprising on the island of Antigua was suppressed by the colonists.
Slavery was abolished in 1834. In January 1958, the islands joined the West Indies Federation.
In 1967, it became an associated state of the United Kingdom, establishing an internal self-governing government, though the United Kingdom retained authority over foreign affairs and defense. Following the 1970s, negotiations regarding independence were held with the United Kingdom.
On November 1, 1981, it declared independence, becoming a constitutional monarchy and a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.