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.
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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
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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
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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
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●
●
●
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
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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
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●
●
●
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
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●
●
●
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
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●
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.
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●
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
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●
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.