THE MORANT BAY REBELLION

Objectives

Students should be able to:

1. Outline the causes of the Morant Bay Rebellion

2. Name the instigators of the rebellion
3. Examine the consequences of the rebellion
4. State the systems of government in the caribbean from the 1600s to present
5. Describe the structure of the Old representative system of government
6. Explain why people were dissatisfied with the Old Representative system of
government
7. Asses the advantages of the Crown Colony system of government
Causes of the Morant Bay
Rebellion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V99KoWLy2BE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJUc2IVUf1k
Students will listen to poem- Ballad of 65 written by Alma Norman
And then use the mentimeter to answer the following questions.

Identify two causes of the rebellion

Discuss the consequences of the revolution
Causes of the Morant Bay Rebellion
 Causes of the Morant Bay
Rebellion
1. The American Civil War – 1861 increase the cost of American food and clothing in Jamaica
2. Reduced wages due to the fall in sugar prices, when Cuba began sending sugar to Britain instead of US
3. Droughts in 1862 and 1863 that ruined small farmers’ provision and their export crops
4. Severe punishment from magistrates and vestries for those who trespassed on abandoned estates or stole
food
5. Lack of markets for small farmers
6. Unsympathetic attitude of governor- felt black hardships was because of their unwillingness to work regularly
on estates
7. Poor social and economic conditions
8. Leaders such as Bogle helped to create a feeling of independence and resistance to the island’s plantocracy
9. Limited franchise, which excluded the majority of peasants from actively participating in the government
10. Unavailability of land - The passing of laws which returned former idle lands to plantation owners. At the time
Consequences of the Morant
Bay Rebellion

1. End of representative system of government and the rise of Crown Colony

2. Terrible reprisal against the rebels- executions, burning of houses, floggings. The execution of
Bogle and Gordon. They were perceived as the main instigators of the rebellion.
3. Dismissal of Governor Eyre from Colonial Office and the post occupied by Sir Peter Grant
4. The rebellion was viewed as an African uprising which might spread to other parts of the island as
a result there was the proclamation of Martial Law. Warships and troops were used to suppress the
rebellion
5. Support was enlisted from the maroons. They helped to suppress the revolt.
6. Reforms of Sir Peter Grant – he put the island’s finances in order, he set up new district courts
throughout Jamaica and established a police force to take the place of local volunteers, he created
a Public Works department which constructed many roads serving peasant communities, he began
a health service, payment by results was introduced etc.
 Systems of Government in
the Caribbean

government in the british caribbean part 1 - YouTube

government in the british caribbean part 2 - YouTube

Systems of
Government in
Jamaica
Old Representative System of Government

Crown Colony

Representative Government

Responsible

Internal Self
Government
The Old Representative
System of Government

The Assembly

The Lower House – elected

from the whites who satisfied
certain amount of property
Governor - Council qualifications. It drew up its
own rules of conduct,
Can veto legislation,
disciplined its members, judge
establish courts, appoint
their qualifications, enquiry
judges, pardon Upper House – nominated by the
into public grievances,
criminal offenders, grant governor and approved by the
summoned people before it,
licenses of marriage Crown. It was an advisory body
decided all disputed elections,
and impeach high public
dignitaries for gross
misdemeanors.
Problems Associated with the
Old Representative System of
Government

★ Limited franchise which reflected representation of primarily the planter and merchant classes.
★ Reluctance in introducing measures aimed at improving the lot of the masses. They were interested in self-
preservation at the expense of the masses. This led to popular dissatisfaction and criticism of the representative
system which was deemed obsolete and undesirable.
★ It hindered development of the colony. The sugar industry was favoured while other sectors rejected.
★ Ruling classes’ policy of non- cooperation and resistance to British government on socio-economic issues, including
pressuring Governors. Colonial Office did not have the power to enforce its will on elected colonial legislatures.
★ Decline of white population due to homeward migration after 1838. Out migration of skilled and experienced white
workers resulted in a reduction in white voting power and the number of whites qualified to hold positions in
administration waa limited.Duplication of representatives resulted. This also raised fears of an empowered black
community and loss of white supremacy.
Difference Between Old
Representative System of
Government and Crown Colony

In the old representative system of government, the governor was selected by the Crown, but the council was elected by the
people. The power in such a government was split between the governor and the council.
The governor executed the laws made by the council 1.

In contrast, in a Crown colony, the Crown-administered governors and councils had the final say in any decisions, laws, and
choices made. The Crown gave its approval to any decisions made by the governor and council 1.
CROWN COLONY
GOVERNMENT
Advantages of the Crown
Colony Government

1. Direct participation of the Crown will ensure laws are easier to implement.

2. The concerns of the masses would be addressed

3. It would hold the balance between white oligarchic rule and the masses of freed people

4. It would lead to more efficient and effective government

5. It will provide greater scope for education and training of masses

6. It will ensure a more harmonious relationship between the executive and legislative branches of government.

7. It would lead to developmental works in areas other than within the sugar industry e.g. village development
Reasons People Were
Dissatisfied with the Crown
Colony System

1. Absence of representation for the mass of the people in the Legislative Council – absence of the descendants of
ex-slaves in the legislature.

2. Most people excluded from the electoral process

3. Non- existence of equal rights as a result of the introduction of this system of government

4. Strong resistance within the Council of Government to any political reform

5. No or little improvement in economic conditions for the masses. Nor improvement in social services , despite the
promise that the Crown Colony would protect and promote the interests of the disenfranchised

6. Discriminatory decisions and policies adopted by the legislative council against peasants, Indians and coloureds

7. Harsh treatment of the masses by government officials.