Responses to Oppression and

Genocide
Resistance and Rebellion: Before,
during and after slavery.
 Learning Outcomes

At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

 Differentiate between resistance and rebellion.
 Describe the various forms or resistance and rebellion
used by persons during the systems of production.
 State the impact of the forms of responses on the
society.
 Responses to Oppression and
Genocide

 Throughout the history of the Caribbean, the peoples

enslaved, oppressed and subjugated did not completely
accept their inferior positions and unfair and cruel
treatment.
 They rebelled against the system, openly showing their
aversion to the systems and people who enslaved and
oppressed them.
 Others chose to resist within the system in subtle and
seemingly insignificant ways, no less important and
damaging to the system.
 Responses to Oppression and
Genocide

Resistance and Rebellion

The Caribs/Kalinago and Tianos
 Frequently attacked and destroyed European
settlements.
 St. Vincent (the Black Caribs) and Grenada
 Practiced Maroonage
 Practiced suicide and Infanticide
 Responses to Oppression and
Genocide

Impact of the Responses

 Passage of two laws to regulate the system in 1512-13
and 1542.
 Laws of Burgos and the New Law of the Indies
 Led to the eventual end of the Encomienda System in
1720.
 Led to the introduction of Chattel Slavery.
 Responses to Oppression and
Genocide

During Slavery
Resistance
 Feigned Ignorance
 Pretending not to know one’s job
 Malingering
 Working slow
 Feigned illness
 Pretending to be sick
 Sabotage of estate property
 Infanticide
 Responses to Oppression and
Genocide
During Slavery
Resistance
 Poisoning
 Prolonged lactation/ Breast Feeding
 Babies breast fed until 3 – 5 years old
 Abortion
 Stealing
 Secret practice of culture
 Mimickry/satire
 Responses to Oppression and
Genocide

During slavery
Rebellion
 Arson
 Suicide
 Running away
 Self- Manumission
 Responses to Oppression and
Genocide

During Slavery
Rebellion
 Maroonage
 Slaves ran away and set up their own settlements.
 Revolts
 Uncommon
 Mostly unsuccessful
 Became more frequent closer to emancipation.
 Responses to Oppression and
Genocide

After Slavery – The Indentureship System

 Many of the indentured servants abandoned their
contracts and went to work for their peers who had
set up their own business or owned land.
 Responses to Oppression and
Genocide

Impact of the Responses

 Gave the slaves a feeling of empowerment over their
lives.
 The revolts provided inspiration for others
throughout the region.
 Served as a scare tactic used by the abolitionists.
 Played a significant role in the eventual abolition of
slavery.
 Responses to Oppression and
Genocide

Impact of the Responses

 Reports of abuse and ill-treatment resulted in the
Chinese and Indian government withdrawing their
endorsements of the scheme.
 The Indians were able to retain significant elements of
their cultural traditions and norms.
 Evident in the Indian communities in Trinidad and
Guyana.
 Conclusion

 These forms of resistance and rebellion employed by

the slaves during slavery showed that they did not
willingly accept their situation and the conditions they
were forced to exist or live under.
 They were determined to be free.
 Resistance (subtle and seemingly insignificant) was
designed to improve one’s condition within slavery.
 Rebellion showed contempt for and the unwillingness
to remain as slaves or as the subjugated.
 Post Lesson Activity

 Complete the post lesson quiz on Moodle.

 References

 Mohammed, J. (2007). Caribbean Studies for CAPE

Examinations. Oxford: Macmillan Education.
 Ottley, J., Gentles, M., & Dawson, V. (2013). CAPE
Caribbean Studies. Harlow: Pearson Education
Limited.
 Thompson, K., Lawson-Downer, M., John, A. S., &
Thomas-Hunte, E. (2017). CAPE Revision Guide
Caribbean Studies. London: Harper Collins Publishers
Ltd.