Caribbean Studies - Historical Processes

How did the migration of Europeans affect slavery?

The Spanish introduced West African slavery by having slaves work in Spanish mines and on estates to replace the dwindling indigenous population. Spain also granted Portugal a license to trade slaves with them. They were sold to the highest bidder. Britain would later earn the right to grant the Asiento.

What were the motivations and initial intentions of the encomienda system?

The Spanish wanted to expand into the Americas and so granted land to Spanish conquistadors. These people would be encomenderos who would provide the indigenous people with food, shelter, clothing, protection and religious instruction in return for labour in mines and in agriculture.

What was the Treaty of Tordesillas and why was it created?

The Treaty was created by the Pope in 1495 to prevent the Spain-Portugal rivalry would escalate with the discovery of the New World. The treaty divides the known and unknown territories outside Europe between moth countries by a "line" through the Atlantic where Spain received territory west of the line.

What is the mercantile system?

This is an economic system characterized by restriction on trade between colonies and countries outside of the metropole.

What forms of economic activities were the Caribs more focused on?

Warfare and trading.

Why did the Asian indentured workers migrate to the Caribbean?

After emancipation, this group was a readily available source of cheap labour. Planters believed ex-slaves would now charge unreasonable prices for their labour and so wanted to introduce competition for them in the form of willing immigrants to keep the cost of labour low. Countries like China and India had large populations, most of which lived in poverty.

What kind of economy did the Tainos have?

An informal fishing and agriculture economy.

What was done to regulate the encomienda system? Who spoke out against it and what laws were passed?

Antonio Montesino and Bartolome de las Casas spoke out about the unfair treatment of the Amerindians. The Spanish Crown passed laws like the Law of Burgos and the New Law of the Indies but these FAILED.

What cultural effects did the coming of Columbus have on the Caribbean?

As a result of the Treaty of Tordesillas grating Spin access to the Caribbean region, they were able to inject parts of their culture such as language, place names, architecture and religion into the Caribbean region. They also caused the European diversification in some countries that had multiple European colonizers.

What's another name for Kalinagos?

Caribs

What were the cause and outcome of the Barbados Rebellion?

Cause - to overthrow the British planters and take control of the island Result - failure. 1/4 of the sugar was destroyed and thousands died.

What were the cause and outcome of the Demerera Rebellion?

Cause: a protest of poor treatment and desire for freedom.

What effect did the 1865 Morant Bay Rebellion have?

Caused the fall of the Old Representative system and local assembly but caused the passing of the 1866 Crown Colony rule that arguably pushed black people back.

What were the cause and outcome of the Haitian Revolution?

Causes: the disenfranchisement of mulattos by metropolitan whites. The enslaved felt that they outnumbered the whites but were still mistreated. The rebellion evolved into a war that allowed Haiti to gain independence.

Where mainly did the Tainos settle?

Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, the Bahamas.

State the demographic, cultural, economic and social impacts of migration of indentured workers.

Demographic - a larger population of Asian immigrants, especially Chinese and East Indians. Cultural - the introduction of religions like Hinduism and Islam, language and cultural practices. Also a racial mixture. E.g. The people of Java were brought to Suriname by the Dutch Economic - The sugar production industry (especially in Guyana) was boosted but as a result there was a depression in wages as there was a LOW demand for workers. This caused economic downturn. The introduction/diversification of crops. E.g. rice in Guyana from the Chinese. Social - Racial tensions and conflicts from competition for work, land and women.

Name some political laws against immigration of Caribbean Nationals.

Immigration Act of 1924 - United States Commonwealth Immigration Act of 1962 - UK

Describe the trend of migration outside of the Caribbean after independence.

In the 1900s many Caribbean nationals travelled to Europe, the United States and Canada. Even Harlem in New York was transformed into the headquarters of Garvey's Universal Negro Improvement Association. There was also travel to aid in the fighting and rebuilding efforts of World War 2. Europe and the US and Caribbean countries also hosted political refugees from Cuba and Haiti.

What kind of abuse ensued in the encomienda system?

Indigenous people were giving impossible tasks of finding gold in areas with one, were made to work at an unnatural pace and for long hours to grow food for the Spanish population, were overworked to farm cash crops like tobacco, endured harsh punishments (amputation).

Why was the Moyne Commission (West India Royal Commission) set up in 1938?

Labour unrest and black radicalism caused the British government to set up the Commission.

What events contributed to the run towards political enfranchisement?

Migration within and outside the region exposed people to different experiences and ideas. Returning soldiers from WW1 experienced racism in Europe and were dissatisfied with returning to unemployment in the Caribbean. The Great Depression caused hardship, protests and riots in the region and there were migration restriction in UK and USA. The formation of Trade Unions highlighted to unfair working conditions and and disparities in society. Trade union leaders became popular among the black masses and resulted in the formation of political parties. The spread of anti-colonialism, black pride and black consciousness ideologies in the 1920s and 1930s caused movements towards independence inf the diaspora.

Name some more effects of slavery on the Caribbean region.

New social norms in the context of plantation culture were developed. Instead of the traditional African extended family, the absent father and common law relationship were now promoted. This is because marriage and family structures were prohibited and reproduction was only for breeding purposes. There are also demographic differences where Caribbean countries dominated by Spain don't have many Africans because the Spanish didn't import as many as the British, Dutch and French did. There was also an increase in the number of mulattos.

Did Spain care about the breaking of the Treaty?

No, because in the locations that England, the Netherlands, and France which are the Lesser Antilles, there were no deposits of minerals or agricultural lands.

How did slaves and freed slaves avoid working on plantations?

Slaves - pretended they didn't understand the language, maimed animals, destroyed equipment, faked illness Freed slaves - set up cooperatives to buy land, squatted on land and grew their own food for sale, set up financial institutions like credit unions to purchase homes, finance their children's education or start businesses.

How did workers find jobs in the midst of the economic downturn?

THEY MIGRATED Some places they migrated to include the Dominican Republic on docks, railway construction and sugar refineries the Panama Canal (1903-19140 to avoid plantation work Cuba on sugar plantations Honduras/Costa Rica on banana estates Venezuela and Aruba/Curacao for work in oil refineries.

Why was it assumed that Africans would be best to work on plantations?

The Africans already had an established slave trade due to the high amount of cultural and political fragmentation on the continent. (prisoners of war) African labour was significantly cheaper than European indentured workers. It was assumed that Africans were already accustomed to the harsh, tropical weather that would be in the Caribbean. Africa had a large population which would need to be replenished due to the short lifespan (7-9 years) of slaves. Europe had already been trading rum, clothing, etc. with Africa.

Why were the Africans enslaved?

The Amerindian population was destroyed and there was a need for cheap, reliable labour to cultivate crops on plantations. Sugar was the main crop and required strenuous work from a larger workforce.

Who were the first group to settle in the Caribbean?

The Amerindians - Tainos and Caribs

Why were the Caribs a threat to the Tainos?

The Caribs lived in the rocky/hilly Lesser Antilles and so could not thrive in agriculture. They would raid the Tainos for agricultural produce or enslave them.

How did the establishment of industries affect the Caribbean region?

The Europeans implemented the plantation agricultural system. It established the social and economic superiority of the Europeans in the region. The mercantile system and Navigation Acts were implemented to ensure only the Spanish and English (respectively) benefitted from agriculture in the region.

What kind of political influence did the Europeans have on the Caribbean?

The Europeans imported their legal systems, institutions and systems of government. The old representative system as well as the adoption of common law were also common in the British Caribbean.

Where did the Caribs mainly settle?

The Lesser Antilles

What are the British Navigation Acts?

The Navigation Acts of 1651 were derivatives of mercantilism that were direct restrictions on the use of foreign trade ships for trade between British West Indian colonies and any other European nations. The French also instituted similar laws by 1644.

What was the result of the Moyne Commission

The commission recommended constitutional reforms like a wider franchise (right to vote), lower qualifications for candidates and a colonial fund to take care of the working class.

What caused the widespread migration of the Spanish to the west?

The discovery of gold and precious minerals caused large-scale migration of people fleeing poverty. They would settle and put plans in place to develop Spanish agriculture in the Greater Antilles.

How was political enfranchisement achieved?

The establishment of peasant groups and free villages to acquire and cultivate land outside of the plantation system. Migrating and seeking jobs outside of their country to send back remittances. Establishing family businesses like shops and laundries. Being part of savings societies and partner plans.

What was the Old Representative System?

The form of government established in British colonies that consisted of the local assemblies, the governor and a council.

How has the migration of Caribbean nationals outside of the region affected the countries involved.

The formation of diaspora communities (Miami, New York, Bristol, Toronto), influencing elections (eg Cubans in the US), the flow of remittances back to the Caribbean, Social impacts on family members and barrel children, the training of unskilled workers who returned home, Eased pressure on employment in the C'bean, brain drain, cultural exchange.

Name some effects of the Slave Trade

The growth of the planation system and increased sugar production. This generated massive income for the European planters and created a two-tiered economic class structure with Europeans on the top and slaves at the bottom. New cultural practices and influences were introduced. The plantocracy banned the practicing of West African cultural practices in fear of rebellion. This resulted in a mixing of European and African cultures. This new culture developed as a coping mechanism for Africans and exists today in forms such as Caribbean language, religion, music and dance. Examples include: Vodou, Obeah, the use of drums in music (a lot), the use of herbal medicine.

Who were the members of local assemblies in the colonies?

The local assemblies were comprised of white landowners who cared about their own wealth and not the good of the colony.

Why was the indentureship program stopped?

The program was stopped because the donor countries got wind of the abuse their citizens had to endure.

What is economic enfranchisement?

The situation where a group of people or a country have the ability to determine how it develops its systems of production.

What term did Edward Kamau Brathwaite coin?

The theory of creolisation. The process by which new cultures emerged as a result of the contact between whites and other ethnic groups.

Why did the whites in the Caribbean want independence from the metropole?

The wanted independence to avoid the heavy taxation, oppressive rules and economic control the metropole had on them. The metropoles gained money from customs duties on goods entering and leaving and taxation on property. The whites felt like they should have a say about how their taxes were put to use and how the colony was operated.

Why did the Europeans migrate to the Caribbean?

There was competition between Portugal and Spain to discover the fastest sea passage to the Far East during the Renaissance. The Renaissance brought more advanced maritime technology. Spain wanted to expand their territory, power and wealth after banishing the Muslim Moors and wanted to spread Christianity to other parts of the world.

What are provision grounds?

These were garden plots provided to labourers for them to grow their own food.

What advantage did the coast give the Tainos?

They had a view of the sea so they could be aware of incoming enemies to prepare for conflict.

Why did the Tainos settle in the Greater Antilles?

They migrated from the Orinoco Valley Basin in Venezuela during 600-700 AD because of frequent flooding and hurricanes and competition with other groups for territory.

Why did they migrate to the Caribbean and what path did they take?

They traveled from Eurasia, along the Bering Strait towards the Western Hemisphere. They did this during the Ice Age due to a shortage of vegetation and animals to eat. As a result, they followed the woolly mammoth, their food source.

Why did France, England and the Netherlands break the Treaty of Tordesillas?

They wanted to end Spain's hegemony (dominance) and wealth over the New World and Spain was also in conflict with France (political) and England and the Netherlands (religious)

How were paid labourers punished for avoiding duties?

They were denied pay or the benefits included in their contracts were rescinded.

How were jobs on the plantation divided?

They were divided by age and health/ Younger children and the elderly/sickly did weeding and animal husbandry while men and women worked alongside each other in the fields.

How were Carib leaders chosen?

They were elected rather than with Tainos who inherited the position.

Why did the Tainos have to settle near the coast at fresh-water sources?

They were not skilled at pottery-making and so could not store water and food. They also used the rivers and sea for fishing. They also needed access to flat land to grow cassava.

What is the Triangular Trade?

This is a three-legged trade that operated from Europe to Africa to the Caribbean then back to Europe. Textiles, rim, manufactured goods, sugar, tobacco and slaves were traded.

What was the Middle Passage?

This is the leg of the Triangular Trade between Africa and the Caribbean.

What is the metropole?

This is the parent state of a colony.

How did the Spanish cause the decline of indigenous populations?

This was caused by the implementation of the encomienda system and the subsequent genocide. The population fell from 3 million in 1496 to 12,000 in 1516. The encomienda system forced the indigenous people to pay tribute to the Spanish through labour in fields and mines. They were also hunted as game. The indigenous population also dwindled due to reduced birth rates, suicide, infanticide, food shortages, European diseases (smallpox, syphilis)

What was the Crown Colony Rule

This was direct rule from Britain. The representative assembly was replaced by a nominated legislative council chaired by the governor. (granted it was the same landowners on the council)

After emancipation, how was traveling between colonies of the metropole made easy?

This was made easy through credit unions, partner plans, colonial banks, financial institutions and advancements in sea and land travel.

What was seasoning?

This was the use of religion and punitive sanctions to break slaves into the desired habits of the planters.

Name some Amerindian Inventions

cassava cakes, barbecue, hammock, extraction of dye from wood, tobacco, cacao cultivation and chocolate making, "hurricane, canoe, barbecue, hammock, cannibal, cay, barracuda, maize, cassava, cacao, manicou, agouti, savanna"