THE AMELIORATION ACT

Clauses of the Amelioration act

- females slaves should no longer be flogged - no more flogging in the fields - slave families should not be seperated - the enslaved should be encouraged to get married - slaves should not be sold or given away to cover debts - saving banks should be opened for the enslaved - slaves had the right to purchase his/her manumission (freedom) - religious instruction should be given to the slaves

the amelioration act was passed in

1823

Reaction of the Amelioration act

Jamaican planters were furious. they refused to adopt the proposals. Barbados planters argued that they had done the enslaved enough favors already. Demerara planters chose to delay the enactment of the proposals. the enslaved misunderstood and thought the emancipation papers had come. (demerara revolt began). they imprisoned John Smith who died while in prison.

the failure of the Amelioration Proposals prompted Abolitionist to form

the Anti-Slavery Society in 1823. there were 122 branches of the society in England within a years time.

the amelioration act was formulated by

the West India Interest

Amelioration means

the act of making something better