trygg on Nostr: On this day, in 1816, a slave on the caribbean island of Barbados rallies several ...
On this day, in 1816, a slave on the caribbean island of Barbados rallies several hundred fellow enslaved men to revolt against the British colonists.
Barbados, part of the British West Indies at the time, was a prime location for the cultivation of sugarcane and production of rum; both of which were highly sought after back in Europe. To operate the large plantations, the English imported slaves from Africa.
Bussa was one of these slaves: born a free man in West Africa, he was captured in the late 1700’s, sold into the slave trade and ultimately ended up working on Bayley’s Plantation in the parish of Saint Phillip on the southeastern portion of the island.
Bussa was a hard worker, and thus began to earn the trust of his “owners” as the years passed, eventually earning the position of “ranger;” the head of the slaves on his plantation. This allowed him the ability to move around more freely without the watchful eye of colonists, including travel across the island to other plantations.
In 1807, British Parliament took one of the first steps towards abolition by outlawing the slave trade. This brought hopes that soon slavery itself would be banned, and slaves across the English empire would be freed.
November 1815, the proposed Imperial Registry Bill went before Parliament. This act was intended to be a further step towards the ending of slavery, but it failed to pass. Once word reached the British West Indies, it was received as a step backwards, leaving many slaves justifiably outraged; Bussa most of all.
Thus, he would spend the latter months of 1815 going about his normal work, but with an ulterior motive: organizing slaves from across the southern plantations of Barbados to rise up, overthrow their masters and secure their freedom. The plan would commence on Easter Sunday, April 14, 1816.
As the sun began to set over the horizon that evening, over 400 slaves left their homes, gathered any weapons they could find, and began taking over the plantations, businesses and government offices across southern Barbados. In the coming day, an estimated few thousand more slaves would join their cause. They would hold successfully their ground for nearly 3 days despite efforts from local militias to end the rebellion, before British regulars (including 3 cannons) joined the militia and were finally able to quell the uprising with their superior firepower.
Their last stand would come on April 16th on Bussa’s own Bayley’s Plantation, where he and several hundred others battled with the Redcoats. Bussa would be shot and die on the field of battle, while those around him continued to fight to the last.
In the weeks that followed, the British regained control over the island by establishing martial law, and seeking out slaves who participated in the rebellion. Over 200 slaves would be executed for treason, with another 200 exiled to harder work on other islands.
Bussa’s Rebellion was the first major uprising in the West Indies, inspiring the Demerara Rebellion of 1823, and finally the Baptist War of Jamaica in 1831, which resulted in slaves successfully establishing their own free settlements apart from the British & French colonists.
By 1833, mounting pressure on Parliament forced them to finally outlaw slavery across their empire, freeing Bussa’s former comrades once and for all: Barbados now belonged to them.
Bussa is remembered as their nation’s founding fathers, named as one of the 11 National Heroes of Barbados. In 1985, they erected the “Emancipation Statue” in the capital city of Bridgetown (pictured below), depicting a rising Bussa breaking off his chains to fight for his freedom.
Skol!
Barbados, part of the British West Indies at the time, was a prime location for the cultivation of sugarcane and production of rum; both of which were highly sought after back in Europe. To operate the large plantations, the English imported slaves from Africa.
Bussa was one of these slaves: born a free man in West Africa, he was captured in the late 1700’s, sold into the slave trade and ultimately ended up working on Bayley’s Plantation in the parish of Saint Phillip on the southeastern portion of the island.
Bussa was a hard worker, and thus began to earn the trust of his “owners” as the years passed, eventually earning the position of “ranger;” the head of the slaves on his plantation. This allowed him the ability to move around more freely without the watchful eye of colonists, including travel across the island to other plantations.
In 1807, British Parliament took one of the first steps towards abolition by outlawing the slave trade. This brought hopes that soon slavery itself would be banned, and slaves across the English empire would be freed.
November 1815, the proposed Imperial Registry Bill went before Parliament. This act was intended to be a further step towards the ending of slavery, but it failed to pass. Once word reached the British West Indies, it was received as a step backwards, leaving many slaves justifiably outraged; Bussa most of all.
Thus, he would spend the latter months of 1815 going about his normal work, but with an ulterior motive: organizing slaves from across the southern plantations of Barbados to rise up, overthrow their masters and secure their freedom. The plan would commence on Easter Sunday, April 14, 1816.
As the sun began to set over the horizon that evening, over 400 slaves left their homes, gathered any weapons they could find, and began taking over the plantations, businesses and government offices across southern Barbados. In the coming day, an estimated few thousand more slaves would join their cause. They would hold successfully their ground for nearly 3 days despite efforts from local militias to end the rebellion, before British regulars (including 3 cannons) joined the militia and were finally able to quell the uprising with their superior firepower.
Their last stand would come on April 16th on Bussa’s own Bayley’s Plantation, where he and several hundred others battled with the Redcoats. Bussa would be shot and die on the field of battle, while those around him continued to fight to the last.
In the weeks that followed, the British regained control over the island by establishing martial law, and seeking out slaves who participated in the rebellion. Over 200 slaves would be executed for treason, with another 200 exiled to harder work on other islands.
Bussa’s Rebellion was the first major uprising in the West Indies, inspiring the Demerara Rebellion of 1823, and finally the Baptist War of Jamaica in 1831, which resulted in slaves successfully establishing their own free settlements apart from the British & French colonists.
By 1833, mounting pressure on Parliament forced them to finally outlaw slavery across their empire, freeing Bussa’s former comrades once and for all: Barbados now belonged to them.
Bussa is remembered as their nation’s founding fathers, named as one of the 11 National Heroes of Barbados. In 1985, they erected the “Emancipation Statue” in the capital city of Bridgetown (pictured below), depicting a rising Bussa breaking off his chains to fight for his freedom.
Skol!