Pompey Rebellion and Abolition History

This flashcard set covers the history of slave rebellions (including Pompey, Tacky, and Berbice), the process of abolition and apprenticeship, and the various arguments surrounding the institution of slavery.

Pompey Rebellion

A resistance movement that happened in 1830 on the land of Exuma, led by an enslaved man named Pompey against harsh treatment and slavery.

Slavery Abolition Act 1833

The legislation under which slavery was abolished in the Bahamas in 1834.

Haitian Revolution

Recognized as the name of the most successful slave rebellion.

1807

The year in which the slave trade was abolished.

1838

The date when slaves were given full emancipation.

Amelioration

Laws that were implemented to improve the conditions of slaves.

Amelioration Law Examples

Whips should never be used for women; overseers could not carry whips in the fields; and all punishments for males should be postponed for 24 hours.

Apprenticeship

A traditional system introduced after emancipation supposed to allow both ex-slaves and masters time to adjust to freedom and wage labour.

Apprenticeship Work Requirements

Apprentices were required to work unpaid for 40-45 hours per week for former masters and received limited wages for overtime.

Field workers (Apprenticeship)

A category of workers required to work 6 years of apprenticeship.

Domestic (house) workers (Apprenticeship)

A category of workers required to work 4 years of apprenticeship.

Bahamian Slave Rebellion Leaders

As listed in the notes: Lord Rolle, William Johnson, and Josephhunter.

Abolitionist Methods

Methods used to gain support for emancipation including pamphlets (books, poems), public speaking, and sugar boycotts.

Sugar boycott

A protest where many refused to buy products produced by enslaved labor in the Caribbean to raise awareness about the connection between everyday products and slavery.

Economic Arguments for Slavery

The belief that slavery was essential for the profitability of plantations and that sugar and other exports depended on cheap enslaved labor.

Social Argument for Slavery

The claim that enslaved Africans were "uncivilized" and needed control.

Political Argument for Slavery

The fear that freeing enslaved people could lead to rebellion and disorder.

Humanitarian Arguments against Slavery

The argument that slavery was cruel and inhumane, causing physical punishment, family separation, and lack of freedom.

Religious Arguments against Slavery

The belief by Christian groups that slavery was morally wrong and that all humans were equal before God.

Economic Arguments against Slavery

The view that free labour was more efficient than slave labor and that industrialization reduced dependence on plantation slavery.

Manumission

When an enslaved person was legally freed by an enslaver, which could happen voluntarily or by the enslaved person purchasing their own freedom.

Tacky Rebellion

A rebellion that happened in 1760-1761 in Jamaica where enslaved Africans, led by Tacky, rebelled against British rule.

Berbice Rebellion

A rebellion that happened in 1763 in Berbice where enslaved Africans, led by Cuffy, rebelled against Dutch rule.