Oct 22, 2007 what are the causes of the barbados revolt in 1816. The rebellion was triggered by british deposition of the local emir of bussa, kitoro gani, and his replacement with a native administration. Apr 15, 2015 general bussas story causes debate among many historians. The emancipation wars overview above all of the acts of resistance towards slavery, non violent and violent, there were three rebellions in the british west indies that stood out. Barbados had a wellarmed police force and there was nowhere to hide. Many historians of resistance and abolitionism have overlooked or dismissed the rebellion because of its seemingly negligible effects upon emancipation, while those who do champion the actions of the. The slave rebellions in barbados 1816, demerara 1823 and jamaica 1832. Within a few hours, the rebellion had spread across a third of the island and enslaved people on seventy plantations were in revolt. A free coloured man called washington franklin read newspaper reports of the antislavery debates. The missionaries were kicked out of barbados this aid to turn the british public sentiment against the plantation. The rebellion took place on august 18, 1823, and lasted two days.
Causes the causes of the 1816 rebellion in barbados are. Barbados revolt 1816there were 2 main leaders of the barbados revolt of 1816, they were bussa who was a free man in africa and was brought to the caribbean in the transatlantic slave trade which was indeed traumatizing. Bussa and the road to emancipation 1764 1834 totally. The bussa rebellion was the first of the three major slave uprisings that took place in the british west indies between the u. Cause, and progress of the late insurrection april 1816 barbados, 1818. The bussa rebellion was the largest slave revolt in the history of barbados. Bussas rebellion 1416 april 1816 was the largest slave revolt in barbadian history. Barbados had been under british control for a long time and there had been no slave rebellions for over one hundred years, when rebellion broke out in 1816. Further, all of the enslaved communities in the caribbean knew of the creation of the new republic in haiti, which had become, for them, the main symbol of freedom. Revolt breaks out led by touissant louverture over inequalities between the black free population, slaves, and slave owners the revolt was highly organised and linked together slaves from across the colony it was incredibly violent almost all the plantations were destroyed. Many historians of resistance and abolitionism have. Bussa and the road to emancipation 1764 1834 totally barbados. Bussas rebellion how and why did the enslaved africans of barbados rebel in 1816.
This also included jackey, the driver at the simmons estate, king wiltshire and, a carpenter at bayleys. What was the cause of the rebellion according to this report. Bussa was captured in west africa and shipped off to barbados towards the end of the 18th century. Bussas rebellion in barbados 1816 and the christmas rebellion in jamaica 1831 were led by individuals who were aware of the antislavery campaign. The jamaican revolt of 1831 proved to be an important step to ending slavery in british colonies. The rebellion was fomented through the agitation and activism of a slave, sam sharpe. What are the main causes of the barbados revolt in 1816 answers. This resource was produced using documents from the collections of the national archives.
History department, barbados museum and historical society. Bussas rebellion in barbados 1816 and the christmas rebellion in jamaica 1831 were led by individuals who were aware of the antislavery campaign taking place in england. Although the goal of the revolt was to bring emancipation, england did not end slavery in her colonies until 1834. The rebellion takes its name from the africanborn slave, bussa, who led the rebellion which was defeated by british forces. What were the causes of the barbados revolt in 1816 answers.
On 14 april 1816, bussa lead his revolt against the barbadian plantocracy, resulting in a fierce two day battle between the slaves, the planters, and the west india regiment. The rebellion took its name from the africanborn slave, bussa, who led the uprising. A heated exchange in two barbados newspapers concerning the only slave revolt in the islands history. Bussa led approximately 400 slaves into battle at bayleys on tuesday, 16 april into what was considered barbados longest slave revolt. Other martyrs of 1816 revolt must be recognised noted historian, dr. There were 2 main leaders of the barbados revolt of 1816, they were bussa who was a free man in africa and was brought to the caribbean in the translantic slave trade which was indeed traumatizing. There were 2 chief leaders of the barbados revolt of 1816. What were the causes of the jamaica revolt in 1831. Sunday advocate, 3 2600 1 a printed copy of above 2 h. Sep 07, 2017 there were 2 chief leaders of the barbados revolt of 1816.
The missionaries were kicked out of barbados this help to turn the british public opinion against the planters and. Carefully executed by approximately four hundred slave s 400, the rebellion is documented as the most significant revolt in barbadian history. Bussa and christmas rebellions understanding slavery. What are the main causes of the barbados revolt in 1816. By the time of the rebellion, bussa was working on one plantation as a slave driver. Department of history, university of the west indies, cave hill, 1998.
Barbados national hero was a former west african slave by the name of bussa who initiated a revoltcommonly referred to as bussas rebellionin april 1816. On 14 april 1816, bussa led his revolt against the barbadian plantocracy, resulting in a fierce two day battle between the slaves and west india regiment. His comments came yesterday during a lecture hosted by the barbados library service in commemoration of the bicentenary of the 1816 uprising in barbados. On sunday 14 april 1816 a major rebellion broke out in barbados. The rebellion took its name from the africanborn slave, bussa. Causes the revolt began as the enslaved population believed that emancipation was being withheld by the local establishment. This thesis seeks to explore the leadership, causes and impact of the 1816 barbados slave revolt. On sunday 14th april 1816 a major rebellion broke out in barbados. T here were three major maafa slavery upheavals in the caribbean during the early 19th century. Although mysterious and historically murky general bussa became to be known as the leader of barbados first slave uprising which began. There were 2 main leaders of the barbados revolt of 1816, they were bussa who was a free man in africa and was brought to the caribbean in the transatlantic slave trade which was indeed traumatizing. The haitian revolutions effect on barbados the haitian revolution had a huge impact on the island of barbados. Barbados national hero was a former west african slave by the name of bussa who initiated a revolt commonly referred to as bussas rebellion in april 1816. The 1816 barbados slave revolt university of exeter.
Jun 25, 2017 the demerara rebellion of 1823 was an uprising involving more than ten thousand enslaved people in the crown colony of demeraraessequibo now part of guyana on the coast of south america. What were the causes of the barbados revolt in 1816. Karl watson, has described the omission of the other martyrs of the 1816 rebellion, as a slap in the face of the dead. Sketch of a flag used by the bussa rebels including the slogan. Planters went to great lengths to provide evidence that the slaves had nomaterial causes for. It can be freely modified and reproduced for use in the classroom only. The jamaica royalgazette ofmarch 1816, stated that thebill was founded upon emancipation viewswell calculated to produce insurrection among the slaves. The bussa rebellion, also known as the boussa rebellion, was a small insurrection in the town of bussa against the policy of indirect rule in britishcontrolled nigeria in june 1915.
Unlike jamaica, which still had forests, most of the land in barbados had been cultivated to produce as much sugar as possible. Back from the past episode 1 the right excellent bussa. Barbados 1816, demerara 1823, and jamaica 1832 the demerara revolt of 1823 was by far the largest uprising in guyanese history and one of the largest revolts in caribbean history. Aug, 2017 the bussa rebellion was the largest slave revolt in the history of barbados. On 14 april 1816, bussa lead his revolt against the barbadian plantocracy, resulting in a fierce two day battle between the slaves, the planters, and the west. Beckles introduction on easter sunday, april 14th, 1816, 189 years after its colonisation by the english, barbados the first west indian island to engage in large scale sugar production based upon the enslavement of thousands of imported africans experienced its only slave rebellion. The planners of the 1816 slave revolt were very aware of the reach and potential of the most powerful navy on earth. By february 1816, the decision had been taken that the revolt should take place in april, at easter. The british slave trade was abolished in 1807 and the slaves mistook it for emancipation. Barbados 1816 rebellion one of the leaders of the revolt was called bussa, another was nanny grigg, a domestic servant bussa planned the uprising with people from the different estates.
This rebellion was carefully planned and organised by the senior enslaved men and women who worked on several estates and plantations. As a result, the revolt cemented the belief that creole slaves were more rebellious than africanborn slaves, a sentiment born out of the creoleled revolt in barbados just seven years earlier. Many historians of resistance and abolitionism have overlooked or dismissed the rebellion because of its seemingly negligible effects upon emancipation, while those who do champion the actions of the 1816 rebels have arguably overstated. Bussas rebellion was the first of three largescale slave rebellions in the british west indies that shook public faith in slavery. Barbados had always been the central regrouping point for british naval might in the north atlantic.