Barbados Revolt
In many instances, the condition of the slaves grew worse. The 1800’s, therefore, witnessed an increase in slave rebellions for several reasons including the following:-
1) The treatment of slaves continued to be severe, for example, slaves were overworked as it became more difficult to acquire new slaves to increase the labour force.
2) Many privileged slaves were no longer able to enjoy some of the privileges that they enjoyed previously
3) Planters often punished slaves more severely to discourage acts of insubordination, and to intimidate those who might have been inspired by the actions of the rebel slaves in Haiti
4) News of the abolition movement in Britain contributed to slave uprisings in some territories, for example, in Barbados in 1816. Slaves misunderstood what was happening; they believed that their freedom had been granted by the British parliament but was being withheld by the planters, and so they revolted to force the planters to give them their freedom.
5) The work of missionaries among the slaves, for example the Baptists, provided opportunities for a few slaves to become literate and to assume leadership roles in their church. These privileges helped to contribute to some revolts. Samuel Sharpe was able to use his position of class leader to help to plan the 1831 Christmas Rebellion in Jamaica. He also had access to newspapers from which he learnt about the efforts of the abolitionists in Britain. This knowledge motivated him to take action to hasten emancipation.
6) Non-conformist missionaries, especially the Wesleyan Methodists, the Baptists, and the London missionary society, preached the ideas of freedom, equality, and brotherhood, as they worked among the slaves in islands like Barbados. They had, however, always urged the slaves to refrain from violence and to wait for freedom to come from England. These ideas, it was felt, influenced some slaves, like those who were involved in the 1816 Barbados rebellion.
7) Planters’
1) The treatment of slaves continued to be severe, for example, slaves were overworked as it became more difficult to acquire new slaves to increase the labour force.
2) Many privileged slaves were no longer able to enjoy some of the privileges that they enjoyed previously
3) Planters often punished slaves more severely to discourage acts of insubordination, and to intimidate those who might have been inspired by the actions of the rebel slaves in Haiti
4) News of the abolition movement in Britain contributed to slave uprisings in some territories, for example, in Barbados in 1816. Slaves misunderstood what was happening; they believed that their freedom had been granted by the British parliament but was being withheld by the planters, and so they revolted to force the planters to give them their freedom.
5) The work of missionaries among the slaves, for example the Baptists, provided opportunities for a few slaves to become literate and to assume leadership roles in their church. These privileges helped to contribute to some revolts. Samuel Sharpe was able to use his position of class leader to help to plan the 1831 Christmas Rebellion in Jamaica. He also had access to newspapers from which he learnt about the efforts of the abolitionists in Britain. This knowledge motivated him to take action to hasten emancipation.
6) Non-conformist missionaries, especially the Wesleyan Methodists, the Baptists, and the London missionary society, preached the ideas of freedom, equality, and brotherhood, as they worked among the slaves in islands like Barbados. They had, however, always urged the slaves to refrain from violence and to wait for freedom to come from England. These ideas, it was felt, influenced some slaves, like those who were involved in the 1816 Barbados rebellion.
7) Planters’