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What Happened To Slaves In Jamaica After Emancipation?

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jamaican_photos_emancipation_park_statuesWhat Happened To Slaves In Jamaica After Emancipation?

By Venesha Johnson| Associate Writer

On August 1, 1834, our island experienced one of its most historical moments, the Emancipation Proclamation. This somewhat marked the end or the beginning of the end, depending on how you look at it, of centuries of brutal slavery under British rule, a period that had turned the island into a thriving sugar colony at the expense of our enslaved Africans. The proclamation promised freedom, yet the road to true liberation was fraught with challenges and resistance. I wonder, what was their journey like? What happened to slaves in Jamaica after emancipation?

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Now as I mentioned above, the Emancipation Proclamation was only the beginning of the end of slavery. At that time only unborn and children under 6 years old were truly free. All the slaves had to work for their masters for around 40 hours per week, they for some reason referred to this as an “apprenticeship period” that they claimed was supposed to help slaves transition to freedom. But we know they were just trying to find an excuse to continue to exploit our people.

Once they were fully Emancipated in 1838, they had to make many changes. These are a few.

The transition from Plantations to Free Villages

As you can imagine, with emancipation, many freed slaves chose to leave the oppressive conditions of plantations. They packed up their families and moved away, building their own houses and establishing communities known as free villages across the island. These villages became symbols of newfound autonomy, where former slaves could cultivate their own land and live independently.

Economic Challenges and New Opportunities

Despite the promise of freedom, life after emancipation was not without its hardships. Before 1838, mandatory apprenticeship, which replaced outright slavery, still bound many to labour under harsh conditions for minimal wages. The planters, resistant to change, often neglected their legal obligations, leading to widespread dissatisfaction and unrest.

However, despite these challenges, the ex-slaves began to explore new economic avenues. They began to cultivate crops such as ginger, bananas, and sugar cane, which they sold in local markets. This shift from plantation labour to independent farming marked a significant step towards economic self-sufficiency.

Education and Cultural Development

Education became a cornerstone of post-emancipation Jamaica. Missionaries and community leaders established schools and churches in the free villages, providing opportunities for learning and spiritual growth. Many young men and women, eager to seize these new opportunities, became teachers and ministers, contributing to the intellectual and spiritual development of their communities.

Challenges and Resistance

The transition to freedom was not smooth. The plantocracy, a population of planters regarded as the dominant class, was unwilling to relinquish control, and imposed heavy taxes and economic restrictions on the free villages, attempting to maintain their influence and economic power. Despite these obstacles, the resilience of the freed slaves prevailed, as they continued to build and expand their communities.

Morant Bay Rebellion: A Turning Point

The discontent simmering among the freed population erupted in the Morant Bay Rebellion of 1865. Triggered by injustices and exacerbated by severe drought and economic hardship, the rebellion saw widespread violence and government crackdowns. The repercussions were severe, with hundreds of blacks executed and a harsh crackdown by the British government.

Yet, the Morant Bay Rebellion also sparked international outrage and contributed to a shift in public sentiment towards the plight of the Jamaican masses. It highlighted the ongoing struggle for political and economic empowerment in post-emancipation Jamaica.

Emancipation in Jamaica fundamentally reshaped the social, economic, and political landscape of our island. The establishment of free villages provided a platform for autonomy and community-building among the freed slaves. Despite facing continued challenges and resistance, our ancestors journey from bondage to liberation laid the foundation for our cultural identity today and our ongoing pursuit of social justice.

The legacy of emancipation in Jamaica is a testament to the resilience and determination of the freed slaves. Through their struggles and triumphs, they forged a path towards freedom, independence, and cultural heritage that continues to shape Jamaica's identity today.

Be sure to read more on the history of Jamaica here.

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References & Sources For What Happened To Slaves In Jamaica After Emancipation?

  1. Emancipation | The National Library of Jamaica. (n.d.). https://nlj.gov.jm/exhibition/emancipation/

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