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Emancipation Day
Slavery was abolished and the Slavery Abolition Act was introduced to let slaves over age of six to work for four to six years.
Photo source: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Slavery-Abolition-Act -
Period: to
Morant Bay Rebellion
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Full Abolition of Slavery
Slavery was fully abolished after the British abolitionists protested against apprentices. Jamaicans were allowed to vote and chose their profession. -
Election
During the 1864 election fewer that 2,000 black men were eligible to vote. Conditions for the blacks got worse in Jamaica and floods ruined crops. -
Tension Escalated
Conflicts happened between the whites and black as there were rumors that white planters wanted to restore slavery. -
George William Gordon
A Jamaican Business man known as George William Gordon called out Governor John Eyre's harsh punishments.
Photo Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_William_Gordon -
Travel to Spanish Town
George William Gordon became one of the representatives in the Parish St. Thomas and ahs encouraged the Jamaican workers to find ways to make the British know their struggles they have faced. On August of 1865, Paul Bogle, A Baptist deacon has lead an 87 kilometres march to Spanish town to meet with Governor Eyre to discuss the issues with him. However the governor refused to speak with them.
Photo: https://medium.com/@junior.griffiths/paul-bogle-was-born-in-jamaica-in-1822-in-st-e3231cc1a420 -
Aftermath of the Rebellion.
After Britain heard the news about Governor Eyre's response to the rebellion, a huge debate sparked. Opponents of Governor Eyre then created the Jamaican committee and demanded the Eyre to be arrested for mass murder. The Governor was indicted , however he was replaced by a new Governor John Peter Grant.
Photo Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Peter_Grant -
Worker's Complaint
Dr. Edward Underhill wrote a complaint to the colonial office about the poor conditions and unfair treatment of the Jamaican workers. Letter was later sent to the Governor Eyre but he denied facts about the poor conditions
Photo Source: https://www.derekbishton.com/the-underhill-letter-and-the-morant-bay-rebellion/ -
The meetings
After hearing about the news the poor workers Jamaica began making uphill meetings to protest about the poor conditions that they have received. The people of the parish St. Ann have signed petitions to send to Queen Victoria. However, Queen Victoria responded by telling the poor workers in Jamaica to work harder agreed with governor Eyre not to help them. Photo source: https://www.royal.uk/queen-victoria -
The courthouse
After the protesters went back to Stony Gut in St. Thomas and started their own court system by appointing magistrates and other officials. However the police overheard about this and arrested Paul Bogle's men on false charges. On October 7, Paul Bogle and his supporters went to the courthouse in Morant Bay and surrounded the building with a peaceful protest as the men were tried. -
Attempted Arrest
The police attempted to arrest Paul Bogle but were stopped by the villagers. The police then went back to Morant Bay to spread the news that Paul Bogle and his supporters were planning to march back to the courthouse. -
The Rebellion
Paul Bogle and 400 people made non peaceful return to the courthouse as they invaded the police station for weapons and attacked the courthouse during the local council meeting. As a result, the custos and 17 other officials died along with 7 of Paul Bogle's supporters.
Photo Source: https://medium.com/@courtneyismain/morant-bay-rebellion-5660d93265fb -
The Martial Law and Gordon's arrest
Jamaica's Governor Edward John Eyre, made the martial law and ordered British Troops to stop the revolt. This lead to 400 protesters being killed, 1000 houses were burned down and 600 people were flogged. George William Gordon was arrested for being an accomplice to the rebellion. He was later hung after his trial just begun
Photo source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Edward_John_Eyre_by_Henry_Hering_c1870.jpg -
Paul Bogle Arrest
Paul Bogle was also arrested along with 385 of his people. These people were later executed with or without trial. Paul Bogle was hung the day of his trial along with 14 other protesters.
