Christmas Rebellion

Who was the leader? _______________________

Where did this revolt take place? _______________________

In what year did this rebellion occur? _______________

The Christmas Rebellion was also known as the Baptist War and was
considered as one of the largest slave rebellions in the British Caribbean. It
was described as the most influential and the longest of the three
emancipation era revolts.

Causes:
-The main reason for this revolt to happen was because Sharpe had an aim that the enslaved Africans
were not to work on Christmas Day in protest to their inhumane treatment and grievances about their
working conditions. Sam Sharpe wanted the enslave Africans to stop working as a peaceful protest and
unite. They would not work after Christmas unless their labour was paid for. The idea for this was that
withholding their labour would force planters to start paying wages. This peaceful strike soon ended up
into a revolt.
- Emancipation rumor – Sharpe had said that their freedom was granted by the King but withheld by
the masters.
- The attitude the planters had on the enslaved Africans.

Where it spread:
This revolt spread to plantations in Trelawney, St Elizabeth, Manchester, Westmoreland and Hanover.

Was it successful?
Since Sharpe’s army lacked training and experience, the white forces were able to suppress his rebels.
The maroons played a role in this rebellion by being the ones to surrender the run away slaves.

Impact on Slaves and Planters:

More than 2,000 enslaved Africans were involved in this rebellion. Cane fields were burnt and other
forms of property were destroyed and planters lost labour. Approximately 201 enslaved Africans were
shot and 100-500 slaves were executed. Sam Sharpe was captured and hanged in public. The death
ratio of planters to slaves is 1:100.

Personalities:
Samuel “Daddy” Sharpe- born in the Parish St. James. He was a house slave and was widely believed
to be named after his master. He was also a Baptist deacon who was intelligent, literate, ambitious and
educated whom led the Baptist war.

Colobel Johnson- was a slave leader of Retrieve Estate who successfully fought against the militia,
commanded by Colonel Grignon on December 28.

“I would rather die upon Yonder Gallows than to live in Slavery”- Samuel
Sharpe
William Knibb- was an English Baptist minister and missionary to Jamaica.

“I would rather die upon Yonder Gallows than to live in Slavery”- Samuel
Sharpe