REVISION CARIBBEAN HISTORY Plantation Layout/ Use of Labour/ African Cultural Forms/ Attitudes to Labour/ Indian Immigration/ U.S. in Cuba/ U.S. in Panama/ U.S. in Dominican Republic PLANTATION LAYOUT Sugar Plantation Layout ● A typical sugar estate averaged 80 hectares (200 acres). Most of the land was dedicated to sugar cultivation, with the rest of the land used for other purposes. ● Sugar estates were organised to be self-sufficient. Therefore, it had everything to meet the needs of its occupants, e.g. woodland for timber LAYOUT OF SUGAR PLANTATION LAYOUT OF SUGAR PLANTATION Land on plantations was used for: 1. Agriculture: (Canefield, woodland, Provision Ground) 2. Buildings: (Factory, workshop, hospital) 3. Living Quarters: (Great House, Overseer quarters, Enslave huts) Organisation of a typical 18th century Sugar Plantation Organization of the Sugar Plantation Sugar estate lands were divided into: ● Sugarcane fields ● Pasture lands (animals) ● Woodlands (building slave huts & fuel for boiling houses) ● Vegetable gardens (vegetables for whites) ● Provision grounds (where slaves got their food to sell) ● Work yards ● Living quarters Buildings on the Sugar Plantations & their Uses The Mill- grinding/crushing of cane to make sugar. ●Boiling House- cane was clarified by heating with white lime, cane juice evaporated, leaving a mixture of sugar crystals and molasses. ●Curing House- for weeks excess molasses dipped through small holes at the bottom of the hogsheads leaving muscovado sugar behind. ●Distillery (Still House)- molasses skimmed of cane juice was converted into rum. ●Trash House- crushed cane was stored here to be used as fuel ●WorkShops- this is where skilled craftsmen made barrels, carts, wagons, etc. Buildings on the Sugar Plantations & their Uses ●WorkShops- this is where skilled craftsmen made barrels, carts, wagons, etc. ●Great House- largest house on the estate, house of the planter and his family, easy access to the road, usually stood on top of a hill where all could be seen. ●Overseers and book-keepers’ quarters- used for living by the overseers and bookkeepers and also as offices. ●Slave Huts- no real architecture, small and just enough room to sleep in ●Store House- supplies, tools, chemicals ●Hospital- ‘’Hot House’’, were sick slaves were taken care of ●G A O L- where slaves were punished Canefield Most of the land was used for the cultivation of the canes. Other colonies such as Jamaica had land that was not suitable for sugar cultivation but was used for other crops such as coffee. Woodland This was important in an age where there was no electricity or gas. The estates needed the wood to provide fuel for the boiling house, for cooking and other domestic purposes. The lumber was also used by the skilled slaves such as carpenters to repair broken fences and gutters and to build sheds. On some estates a small portion of land was set aside for the grazing of the animal. Provision Grounds These were small individual plots allotted to the field slaves to plant cash crops for their daily meals. These include plantains, yams, cassava and vegetables. Factory Yard The factory was a very important area of any sugar estate. It generally consisted of five buildings all of which were extremely crucial to the efficient operations of the manufacturing process. Here, the most expensive pieces of equipment are kept and used. ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ Mill House Boiling House Trash House Curing House Distillery Workshop This is the work area designated to the artisans. It is also the place where their tools and unfinished work is kept. Among these would be the cooper assembling the hogsheads, the carpenter making or repairing the wooden troughs and so on. The Great House ● This was the largest house on the plantation. ● Usually located on a hill or an elevated area of the estate. This location was an indication of his status- at the top of the plantation hierarchy. It was also located away from the noise and heat of the plantation. It had to be located a good distance away from the slave huts. ● Built for the plantation owner’s comfort & relaxation; had several rooms and a large verandah. The Great House Large enough to afford himself and his family enough space and privacy. Most of the furniture was imported and the house was furnished to reflect his style, taste and opulence. Here was where he wined and dined, where he entertained his guests. He hosted lavish balls and parties at his whim and fancy. PRACTICE QUESTIONS Question 4. Sugar plantations differed in size. The land on the sugar plantation was used for many important purposes with the best land under sugarcane cultivation. A. Identify FOUR uses of plantation land other than for canefields. (4 marks) B. Examine the functions of the land for THREE of the uses identified in (a) above. (9 marks) C. Explain THREE reasons why so many women were engaged in work in the cane fields. (12 marks) Total 25 marks PRACTICE QUESTIONS Question 4. A. State FOUR uses of land on a typical sugar estate. (4 marks) B. Describe the functions of THREE types of buildings that could be found on a typical sugar estate. (9 marks) C. Explain how labour was organized on a typical sugar estate. (12 marks) Total 25 marks PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. Describe the purposes of the buildings found on a typical sugar estate during the 18th century? 1. Explain the uses of land on a sugar estate. USES OF LABOUR Use of Labour on the Plantation The division of labour Since enslaved men and women were seen as chattel, there was no real division of labour. The focus was mostly on their strength and ability to work. Use of Labour on the Plantation Divisions among slaves At the top of the enslaved social ladder were the domestic enslaves. They were then followed by the artisan or skilled enslaves. The field enslaves or praedial enslaves were at the bottom of the slave social ladder. The enslaves used mainly skin tone and the type of work they did as factors to determine their social status. Other factors included leadership skills, age, treatment which they enjoyed on the estate, and personal possessions. Use of Labour on the Plantation Divisions among whites The planters or attorneys were at the top of the social ladder of the whites. They were followed by the overseers, bookkeepers, and indentured servants. The whites used education, family background and wealth as factors to determine their social status. Use of Labour on the Plantation Occupations 1. Whites Blacks a. Planning estate work. b. Supervising labour Smiths c. Administering punishment d. Teaching the enslaves skill Wheel rights 1. Coloureds Coopers b. Nannies Carpenters BlackTaylors Factory workers Use of Labour on the Plantation ● Some enslaves worked in the towns, or as boatmen. But the majority worked on the plantations, for 12 hours or more a day. ● Plantation work required many hands. Sugar especially was labour-intensive, and everyone was expected to work, even old slaves and children. ● Work on a plantation depended on the crop grown. The cultivation and processing of sugar, for example, required different skills from those needed for rice or tobacco. Use of Labour on the Plantation ● There were skilled jobs which Africans did: such as carpenters, coopers, blacksmiths, potters, sugar boilers. These jobs usually went to men. ● Women were mainly confined to fieldwork, though some worked as domestic slaves. More men were brought from Africa as slaves than women. But some plantation owners preferred women as the harder workers. PRACTICE QUESTIONS A. Outline TWO issues that were of major concern to sugar plantation owners. (4 marks) A. Explain THREE ways in which any of these concerns affected the way in which labour was used on the estates. (9 marks) A. Describe FOUR roles of enslaved women on sugar plantations. (12 marks) Total 25 marks PRACTICE QUESTIONS A. Give TWO reasons why some enslaved African women disliked working in the Great House on a Caribbean sugar plantation. (4 marks) A. Explain THREE advantages of working in the Great House on a Caribbean sugar plantation. (9 marks) A. Examine FOUR reasons why it was difficult for an enslaved African woman to raise a family on a Caribbean slave plantation. (12 marks) Total 25 marks AFRICAN CULTURAL FORMS AFRICAN CULTURAL FORMS Torn away from their homes, the captured Africans were thrown into an environment with people from different ethnic backgrounds. The only remaining connection they had to their homeland was the memory of their heritage and traditions that they gradually adapted to fit their new life. Africans on the plantation formed strong bonds when it was discovered that they shared common traditions, beliefs and heritage. Overtime, a unique type of culture emerged. VARIOUS CULTURAL FORMS AFRICAN CULTURAL FORMS RELIGION ● Religion that was practiced in Africa and taken directly to the Caribbean include Vodun and Mayalism. ● European and African religions were mixed together to form new indigenous religions such as Voodoo in Haiti, Shangoism in Trinidad, Santeria in Cuba and Pocomania, Kumina and Revivalism in Jamaica AFRICAN CULTURAL FORMS RELIGION ● Although the planters tried to stifle the African religion that emerged, the enslaved held onto their beliefs and practices. Some ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ African practices and beliefs include: Life after death Stories of duppies and other spirits Forces of good and evil The dead is still apart of the community AFRICAN CULTURAL FORMS RELIGION Some ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ African practices and beliefs include: Chanting songs Worshipping nature - gods of nature e.g. rain, fertility Highest respect for mother earth Practice spirit worship and spirit possession Ancestral worship AFRICAN CULTURAL FORMS RELIGION The African belief in two kinds of magic or witchcraft: ● Obeah ● Myalism Both can be used to inflict hurt or harm or used to promote life and love AFRICAN CULTURAL FORMS RELIGION ➢ Obeah was the belief in sorcery, magic or divination ➢ Obeah men cast spells and use charms to harm, injure or heal someone. ➢ Obeah men were revered and considered as powerful. It is believed that they can communicate with the dead AFRICAN CULTURAL FORMS MEDICINE ● In absence of medical care, enslaves drew upon their knowledge of medicinal plants and herbs, sometimes fusing these with Amerindian’s techniques, thus, creating new remedies. ● They would use a variety of herbs to cure many of their diseases. AFRICAN CULTURAL FORMS MEDICINE ● Herbal remedies were prescribed by the obeah man or myla men and women on the estates ● Women played a vital role in healing and were prominent in the enslaved communities where they were called ‘doctress’ AFRICAN CULTURAL FORMS MEDICINE The chief remedies used for ailments include ❖ Roots (Guinea Hen weed,etc) ❖ Leaves ❖ Tree barks ❖ Lime juice ❖ Aloe vera (sinkle bible) AFRICAN CULTURAL FORMS MEDICINE ● African medicine was closely intertwined with religion. ● Medical cure for physical ailments were often linked to the supernatural ● Sickness was associated with bad spirits and good health associated with good spirits. ● The obeah man was both ‘doctor’ and spiritual leader AFRICAN CULTURAL FORMS LANGUAGE ● Many different dialects and languages were spoken among West Africans which made communication difficult. ● Overtime, the enslaved created a common language consisting of both European and African elements. ● These languages were called: ○ Creole (French/Spanish & African elements) ○ Patois (English & African elements) AFRICAN CULTURAL FORMS LANGUAGE ● Patois was passed down from generation to generation ● Some African words have survived and incorporated in the language, for e.g.: ○ Pickney ○ Nyam ○ Kaba kaba ○ Anansi ○ red-eye AFRICAN CULTURAL FORMS FOOD ● The enslaved had to prepare their own food. ● The planters provided them with flour, salt fish, salted beef and cornmeal ● They were given provision grounds to grow food to supplement their diet ● They planted sweet potatoes, dasheen, bananas, ackee, yam and plantain AFRICAN CULTURAL FORMS FOOD ● Foods taken directly from Africa to the Caribbean include: ○ Okra ○ Ackee ○ Plantain ○ Yam ● They prepared dishes such as callaloo, ackee and saltfish, coconut run down, fritters (stamp-n-go), stew meats AFRICAN CULTURAL FORMS FOOD ● The ‘best’ part of the meat (fleshy parts) were reserved for the planters and their families ● The undesirable parts such as the intestines, kidney, liver, feet, tail and head were given to the enslaved because these cuts of meats were considered inferior ● The enslaved used herbs and spices to flavour the food they cooked AFRICAN CULTURAL FORMS SONGS ● The enslaved had all sorts of song - work songs, love songs, songs of sorrow, songs of joy and songs of celebrations ● They sang ‘call and response” songs whilst they were working in the fields ● Songs were also a way of communicating without the planters noticing what was said ● They sang and dance at wakes, funerals, worship service and special occasions such as Christmas AFRICAN CULTURAL FORMS MUSIC ● Their music had a lot of rhythm and beat ● Musical instruments used were mostly of African origin. These include: ○ Drums ○ rattles/ shakers ○ Tambourine ○ Banjos ○ violins ● These many instruments were created and used by the enslaved AFRICAN CULTURAL FORMS DANCE ● Their dance had a lot of movements and passion, involving gyration of the hips and shaking of the buttocks. ● This was seen as vulgar by the whites or they saw it in a sexual light ● Types of dances included: ○ Dinkie minnie ○ Kumina ○ Bruckins ○ John Canoe AFRICAN CULTURAL FORMS ● The planters disliked the enslaved music because they thought it was too noisy ● Drumming was banned by the planters because they thought that it would be used as a means of communication AFRICAN CULTURAL FORMS DRESS ● The enslaved were only given 2 suits of clothing per year, the domestic enslaved would receive the hand me downs from the planter’s family ● They material used to make the enslaved clothing was osnaburg (a course cheap cloth) ● They enslaved had to make their own clothing AFRICAN CULTURAL FORMS DRESS ● They tried to recreate West African style clothing from the cloth they were given ● Women wrapped their head with a ‘tie-head’ or ‘head-tye” ● Braids, plaits and cornrows were African hairstyles that were popular among the enslaved RETAINING THEIR CULTURE The planters did everything they could to eradicate the culture of the enslaved people. Despite their best effort, the Africans somehow managed to retain as much of their culture as possible. The enslaved resorted to many forms of resistance and secrecy in an effort to keep their cultural practices alive. RETAINING THEIR CULTURE Why was it difficult for the enslaved people to retain their culture? ● The planters put in place laws to suppress their culture, e.g. banning drumming and obeah ● Enslaved were forced to convert to Christianity in order to prevent them practicing their religion ● Enslaves were forbidden to congregate in large numbers ● The Seasoning period was used as a means of deculturise them, for e.g. they were taught a new language and were given a new names ● Marriages and families were never encourage RETAINING THEIR CULTURE Why was it difficult for the enslaved people to retain their culture? ● They were severely punished if they disobeyed African cultural laws and regulations. Fear of being punished prevented them from going against the wish of the planters. ● They were forced to adopt the surnames of the enslavers and discard their own RETAINING THEIR CULTURE What are the ways in which the enslaved resist the plantation owners and retain their culture? ● Gathered in secret meetings or late at night ● Conduct their own funeral service which the planters did not attend ● Break the rules and played the drums and other instruments ● Merged African religious practices with Christianity in an effort to camouflage what they were doing RETAINING THEIR CULTURE What are the ways in which the enslaved resist the plantation owners and retain their culture? ● Planters allowed obeah men on the plantation as substitutes to doctors which allows knowledge of herbs and remedies to be based on. ● The enslaves were given some amount of leniency at Christmas time. They were allowed to dance and sing and entertain the estate owners and their guests. PRACTICE QUESTIONS A. Explain why it was difficult for the enslaved Africans to practice their traditional culture on the plantation. (12 marks) A. Explain how enslaved Africans were able to retain some aspects of their culture during the period of plantation slavery. (13 marks) Total 25 marks ATTITUDES TO LABOUR ATTITUDES TO LABOUR ● The enslaved people got full freedom in the British Caribbean in 1838 ● Some British territories opted for full emancipation as early as 1834 after the passing of the Emancipation Act ● The freed people were anxious to leave the plantation. ● Landowners, planters and free persons all had a different attitude towards labour in the English speaking Caribbean after 1838 JOBS THAT WERE AVAILABLE TO THE EX-ENSLAVED AFTER EMANCIPATION The choice newly freed blacks had employment-wise were: ● Metayage (only on a few islands) ● Wage labour on the plantations ● Small scale subsistence farming ● Planted cash crops such as coconut, coffee and cocoa ● A combination of wage labour and subsistence farming ● Earned wages as skilled workers in the city/wharf: WOMENsewing, handicraft, shopkeeping; MEN-peddling, petty traders, huckster REASONS THE ENSLAVED LEAVE THE PLANTATION The various reasons include: ❏ Psychological desire for personal liberty and land ownership ❏ Insecurity of tenure on the estates ❏ High rent on the estates - (paid rent for huts & provision grounds) ❏ Low wages ❏ Knowledge of agriculture ❏ Availability of land for cultivation in some colonies ATTITUDES TO LABOUR PRE-EMANCIPATION (Before 1838) ● Enslaved were deprived of their freedom ● Planters/landowners were owners of enslaved Africans ● Planters used military, economic, social and legal controls to subjugate the blacks ● Attitude of the whites was primarily shaped by the old racist view that Africans were best suited for agricultural labour ATTITUDES TO LABOUR POST-EMANCIPATION (After 1838) ● Ex-enslaved were now paid workers/employees ● Planters/landowners were employers ● Planters used military, economic, social and legal means to preserve many aspects of slavery ● Attitude of whites was still primarily shaped by the old racist view that Africans were best suited for agricultural labour ● Planters and their supporters blamed the ex-enslaved for the problems which faced the sugar industry TABLE COMPARING ATTITUDE OF PLANTERS & FREED PEOPLE The aspirations of the ex-enslaved clashed with the desire of plantation owners PLANTERS FREED PEOPLE Unwilling to accept their former ‘properties’ as Eager to establish their independence away citizens and employees from the plantations Concerned with maintaining a cheap supply of labour Wished to be paid a good wage and treated fairly Desperate to maintain the status quo Aspired to elevate their social status Used the law and other means to hinder and frustrate the freed people Willing to use several means to reduce their dependence on plantation labour and improve standard of living EX-ENSLAVED ATTITUDE TOWARDS LABOUR ● Wanted to be independent of plantation labour and planter’s control ● Sought alternative work to estate labour ● Occupied available unused land for cultivation and housing ● Willing to work hard in order to survive ● Unwilling to accept low wages and unfair work practices of planters ● Overcome many obstacles in order to survive ● Difficulty adjusting to paying for housing, healthcare and food PLANTERS ATTITUDE TOWARDS LABOUR ● ● ● ● Concerned about the effects of freedom - labour shortage Felt they still had a right to free labour Favoured strong policies that kept workers on estates Made several attempts to prevent freed people from developing alternative means of support ● Accused the former enslaved of being lazy despite evidence to prove otherwise ● Used the system to their advantage ● Felt labourers should be kept poor and dependent on the plantation for survival MEASURES USED BY PLANTERS TO MAINTAIN LABOUR SUPPLY The Metayage System ● Also known as sharecropping ● Practiced on smaller islands (St. Lucia, St. Kitts, Antigua) ● Planters supplied the land, equipment, carts and horses. ● Metayers (labourers) supplied labour in the field and factory. ● The metayer paid in small portion of sugar ● Planters received other half, the skimmings and the molasses. METAYAGE SYSTEM This is a system of cultivation in which the owner of the land and equipment allow cultivators (metayers) to farm the land and both receive a portion of the produce (owner gets the largest). This is otherwise known as SHARECROPPING. This was mostly practiced in Antigua and St. Kitts MEASURES USED BY PLANTERS TO MAINTAIN LABOUR SUPPLY ● Mechanisation: In territories such as Trinidad & British Guiana, planters could afford new equipment for the field and factory to reduce the demand for workers. (e.g plow, harrow, vacuum pan and steam mills) ● Immigration scheme: recruited workers from overseas ● Offered higher wages during crop and reaping/harvest time ● Provided incentives such as the use of cottages and provision ground if blacks remained on the plantation INDIAN IMMIGRATION SCHEME INDIAN IMMIGRATION SCHEME Distribution of Indians in the British Caribbean ● Trinidad (134,000) ● British Guiana (239,000) ● Jamaica (33,000) ● St. Lucia ● St. Vincent ● St. Kitts INDIAN IMMIGRATION SCHEME REASONS FOR THE INDIAN IMMIGRATION SCHEME ● One of the major concerns the planters had after emancipation was the shortage of a steady supply of cheap labour ● Immigration schemes were intended to provide the labour needed for the sugar industry. INDIAN IMMIGRATION SCHEME ● First attempt of Indian immigration was in 1838 but this failed ● Second attempt in 1844 when Guyana, Trinidad and Jamaica began importing Indian immigrants ● They were indentured under a 5 years contract as field workers ● Indian immigration ended in 1917 ● Guyana and Trinidad had the largest Indian population INDIAN IMMIGRATION SCHEME FACTORS THAT PUSHED INDIAN IMMIGRANTS FROM THEIR HOMES ● ● ● ● ● ● India was overpopulated. residents wanted to escape conditions such as famine, high taxes and loss of land. Not enough land to divide amongst the youth. This was a problem because the population depended on the land for their livelihood. Poverty was worsening under the 'raj' leadership at that time. Also certain aspects of Indian society, such as the caste system* and the difficulty widows had in remarrying. Large numbers of unemployed Indians could be found looking for jobs INDIAN IMMIGRATION SCHEME FACTORS THAT PULLED INDIAN IMMIGRANTS TO THE CARIBBEAN Would be provided rent free housing in barracks Free medical treatment and hospitalisation Initially provided free provision Free return passage after completion of contract ○ NB: in 1895, immigrants were expected to pay a portion of the cost of return passage ● The prospect of earning higher wages ● The opportunity to own land ● Improved living conditions ● ● ● ● INDIAN IMMIGRATION SCHEME EFFECTS OF INDIAN IMMIGRATION ON TRINIDAD AND GUYANA’S SUGAR INDUSTRY ● Steady supply of labour ● Prevented bankruptcy ● Gradually increase sugar production ● Introduction of Indian irrigation system ● Increase land under sugar cultivation REASONS INDIAN IMMIGRATION SCHEME WAS SUCCESSFUL Success of Indian Immigration Scheme ● The Indian immigrants came in large numbers because India had a very large population of unemployed people. ● They had a greater resistance to ● Indians were used to tropical cultivation and were, therefore, suitable for plantation labour in the Caribbean. ● The Indians were a more reliable source of labour than the other groups of immigrants. tropical diseases and so were adaptable to the Caribbean environment. ● Indian emigration was cheaper as the transportation cost less. INDIAN IMMIGRATION SCHEME SOCIAL EFFECTS OF INDIAN IMMIGRATION ON THE ● ● ● ● CARIBBEAN New forms of architecture including temples, were introduced. Facilitated the expansion of social service, improvement in public facilities, law enforcement and the building of larger markets. richly diversified the Caribbean way of life by bringing their languages, including Hindi dialect They brought their music including songs, dances and musical instruments, with them to the Caribbean. INDIAN IMMIGRATION SCHEME SOCIAL EFFECTS OF INDIAN IMMIGRATION ON THE CARIBBEAN ● ● Diwali or festival of Lights was celebrated by the Hindus. They told stories, shared gifts and decorated their windows and doors with lights and candles. Hosien- A Muslim festival. New culinary skills such as curry and new kinds of spices were introduced, and new kinds of food for e.g. roti, ginger and Chinese cuisine. INDIAN IMMIGRATION SCHEME SOCIAL EFFECTS OF INDIAN IMMIGRATION ON THE CARIBBEAN ● ● New forms of architecture including temples, were introduced. Facilitated the expansion of social service, improvement in public facilities, law enforcement and the building of larger markets. ● richly diversified the Caribbean way of life by bringing their languages, including Hindi dialect They brought their music including songs, dances and musical instruments, with them to the Caribbean. Diwali or festival of Lights was celebrated by the Hindus. They told stories, shared gifts and decorated their windows and doors with lights and candles. Hosien- A Muslim festival. ● ● INDIAN IMMIGRATION SCHEME ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF INDIAN IMMIGRATION ON THE CARIBBEAN ● Contributed to the expansion of small-scale agriculture such as cocoa, rice and coffee ● Brought their age-old traditional irrigation skills with them, which was initially used in rice cultivation, but was extended to the sugar industry. ● Introduced crops such as rice INDIAN IMMIGRATION SCHEME PROBLEMS INDIAN IMMIGRANTS FACED POOR HEALTH CONDITIONS ● ● ● ● ● Poor ventilation (tuberculosis) Suffered from diseases such as typhoid, yellow fever, malaria, hookworm and dysentry. High mortality rate “In 1863, 45 Indians admitted to general hospitals in comparison to 7 Africans” -Grenada Spread of diseases aided by ○ Poor sanitation ○ Deplorable housing conditions ○ Lack of adequate water supply ○ Lack of proper footwear Received sub-par free medical treatment INDIAN IMMIGRATION SCHEME PROBLEMS INDIAN IMMIGRANTS FACED POOR LIVING CONDITIONS ● Overcrowded huts ● Inadequate sanitation ● Poor ventilation ● Water problems ● Lack of privacy INDIAN IMMIGRATION SCHEME PROBLEMS INDIAN IMMIGRANTS FACED POOR WORKING CONDITIONS ● Need a pass to leave plantation ● Low wages ● Underpaid ● overworked PROBLEMS ● Bounded by 5 years contract. ● Separation from their family ● Difficulty adjusting to and living in a strange country ● Difficulty communicating with employers ● Received low wages which resulted in poor diet ● Worked everyday except Sundays and public holidays ● High death rate on ships during passage to the Caribbean PRACTICE QUESTIONS A. Outline FOUR reasons why some Caribbean territories imported overseas labourers after 1834. (13 marks) A. Explain FOUR ways in which Indian indentured workers strengthened the sugar industries of Guyana and Trinidad in the latter half of the nineteenth century. (12 marks) Total 25 marks PRACTICE QUESTIONS Question You are the owner of a sugar plantation in the colony of British Guiana during the period 1838 to 1876. Write a letter to your banker explaining why Indian immigration has been so successful in British Guiana. You should discuss FIVE of the following factors which contributed to the success of the system of Indian immigration: push factors, pull factors, role of the Colonial Office/British Government, role of planters, physical environment and other forms of control. Question Discuss the different ways in which Indian immigrants contributed to Caribbean society up to 1876. Total 25 marks U.S. in the Caribbean U.S. IN CUBA ● The United States acquired Cuba after they won the SpanishAmerican war of 1898 ● The Teller Amendment, which stated that the US would leave the government and control of the island to the Cubans once peace was restored, was not honored by the US. ● The U.S. place Cuba under military occupation from 1898 to 1902 ● Military occupation ended when the United States forced Cuba to include the Platt Amendment in their Constitution. THE PLATT AMENDMENT ⦿ As of 1902 the Platt Amendment was placed in the Cuban constitution. ⦿ The Cuban government had no choice but to place it in their Constitution ⦿ It stated that the US had the right to intervene in the political affairs of Cuba ⦿ Cuba could not sign any treaties with any other countries without the US permission. ⦿ The Platt Amendment would be used by the US as the basis for intervention in Cuban domestic affairs for almost 30 years. CLAUSES OF THE PLATT AMENDMENT The main provisions of Platt Amend is as follows: 1. Cuba could not sign any treaty with other countries which would impair Cuban independence or grant foreign nations special concessions without American permission; 2. A pledge to keep the Cuban debt at a low level; 3. An extension of authority to the U.S. to intervene in the political affairs of Cuban to maintain independence and stability; 4. Granting the U.S. permission to sites for naval base on the island; REASONS FOR U.S. INTEREST IN CUBA 1. Defense - strategic location; naval base-Guantanamo Bay; to protect the Canal 1. Investments - millions of dollars and capital were invested in sugar and tobacco, banking, manufacturing and public utilities 1. Ideological - the U.S. saw themselves as the “champion of democracy” who would be able to ‘save’ Cuba from its colonial master Spain BENEFIT OF U.S OCCUPATION ON CUBA ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● A population census was carried out Schools were built New cattle and breeding stock was imported to replace herds slaughtered. A healthcare programme was established which eliminated malaria and yellow fever. Hospitals and asylums were established. Political prisoners were released The Cuban Patriots army was disbanded and given resettlement money Roads were built A more realistic tax system was introduced The sanitation system was improved The urban water system was overhauled A relief programme was instituted. NEGATIVE IMPACT OF U.S OCCUPATION ON CUBA 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. They Ignored Cuban tradition and experiences Tried to Americanized Cuba Colour prejudice- There was a colour ban in Cuban restaurants and hotels The textbooks in the schools were Spanish translations of American publications. They were written, printed and bound in the USA for sale in Cuba. Soldiers encouraged prostitution The road building programmers gave work to American engineers and used American Equipment. Bought haciendas (ranches) for cattle ranching The US got 80% of mineral exports – manganese and iron In July 1901 the military government opened and operated the National Bank of Cuba which had 7 branches. U.S. & PANAMA U.S. IN PANAMA ● Unlike Cuba and Puerto Rico, the U.S. did NOT occupy Panama, was mostly interested in building a canal ● Theodore Roosevelt was the President of the United States ● The United States assisted the Panamanians to fight for their independence from Colombia ● Theodore send the USS Nashville “to protect U.S life, liberty and property” after the revolution broke out REASONS FOR U.S. INTEREST IN PANAMA 1. Defense - need for speedy transportation of troops; connect the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans; Provide easy access and easy communication between her territories in the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean. 1. Investments - Save time and expense on commercial shipping between these two areas; It would prove to be a very profitable investment 1. Ideology- Canal would help the US expand her sphere of influence;he could more effectively carry out her role as international policeman and watchdog for the western hemisphere; It would give her some amount of power over the other super powers (Europe). THE CLAYTON BULWER TREATY ⦿ Signed in 1850 ⦿ An agreement between the U.S. & Britain to build a canal in Central America ⦿ Both countries would share in the construction and control of the canal. THE HAY-PAUNCEFOTE ⦿ Signed in 1901 ⦿ Between Britain and the United States ⦿ Britain gave the United States the sole right to build a canal with no interference from her ⦿ Put an end to the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty that was signed 50 years before. THE HAY-HERRAN TREATY ⦿ Signed in 1903 ⦿ Between Colombia and the United States ⦿ The U.S attempted to purchase a strip of land from Colombia to build a canal ⦿ That land will be called Panama, which was owned by Colombia at that time ⦿ Colombia declined the deal THE HAY-HERRAN TREATY ⦿ Signed in 1903 ⦿ Between Colombia and the United States ⦿ The U.S attempted to purchase a strip of land from Colombia to build a canal ⦿ That land will be called Panama, which was owned by Colombia at that time ⦿ Colombia declined the deal THE HAY-BUNAU VARILLA TREATY ⦿ Signed in 1903 ⦿ Between PANAMA and the UNITED STATES ⦿ The U.S purchased a strip of land from Panama for $US 10 Million in perpetuity (forever) on which to build a canal POSITIVE EFFECTS OF THE CANAL ON PANAMA ● U.S. provides employment for locals ● Defense- during WW2 U.S. had airfield and military bases in Panama ● Financial aid totaling $40M in addition to annual rent which was raised from 250,000 to 436,000 in 1934 (F. Roosevelt) and 1.930M in 1955 NEGATIVE IMPACT OF THE CANAL ON PANAMA 1. It violated the sovereignty of the Panamanian people 2. It strained relations between the U.S. and Panamanians. In 1931 there was an overthrow of the Panamanian puppet President. 3. Panamanian laws did not apply within the zone. 4. Violence erupted in 1959 when Panamanians attempted to hoist their national flag in canal zone and strongly resisted by U.S. troops 5. Locals were not allowed within several miles of the canal. An area of no man's land was established. U.S. IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC U.S. IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC ● Assasination of Ramon Caceres caused violent confrontation and civil war in Dominican Republic ● Political and military leaders fought for power ● U.S. invaded in 1916 when Dom Rep refused to become a U.S. protectorate ● Dominicans launched guerilla warfare in an effort to resist U.S. military invasion REASONS FOR U.S. INTEREST IN PANAMA 1. Defence - Political instability -numerous presidents were assassinated; The U.S. saw this as a case of ‘chronic wrongdoing' in her backyard. 1. Financial crisis - owed a large sum of money to European creditors - Germany 1. Roosevelt Corollary - intervene to prevent European intervention in ‘her backyard” 1. Investment - to protect U.S life. Liberty and property DOLLAR DIPLOMACY The economic debts of several Caribbean countries were transferred from their European creditors to American creditors. This meant that the U.S. had economic control over these territories and this caused as a political weapon if necessary. This policy was attributed to William Howard Taft (Secretary of War 1904). Roosevelt Corollary ⦿ This previous statement was made by the US President Theodore Roosevelt. ⦿ The US used this policy to justify their intervention in Dominican Republic. ⦿ Stated the U.S. will intervene in the internal affairs of the Caribbean and Latin America in order to prevent European intervention. BENEFIT OF U.S OCCUPATION ON DOMINICAN REPUBLIC ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Law and order was restored. The U.S. paid the debts and took control of their finances, especially the Customs house. The health care system was improved. New hospitals, clinics and health centres were constructed. The sewages were drained and other sanitation measures were implemented. A mosquito eradication program along with vaccination helped to decrease the spread of diseases. New roads suitable for cars were built. They also built bridges and harbours. A number of new jobs were created NEGATIVE IMPACT OF U.S OCCUPATION ON DOMINICAN REPUBLIC ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● The U.S. was in total control of the country from 1915 to 1924. They lost their sovereignty. Martial law was declared. This restricted the freedom of movement of Dominicans. American military officers were in charge of government operations. The rebels who opposed the Americans were tried by military court. The U.S. disarmed the general public to reduce the chance of armed revolts by guerilla groups. Racial discrimination occurred as top jobs went to white Americans. Dominicans could not carry arms without American permission. Many of the social programmes were done in the towns where the Americans occupied while the rural areas remained destitute. The cattle industry was adversely affected due to the importation of cheap American leather. A lot of American goods were imported. Profits went abroad instead of being reinvested. The financial system became dominated by American and Canadian banks.
