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 the lands were being farmed by the peasants. Also rejection of petition for Crown lands

Consequences of the 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. Old Representative System of Government Governor - can veto legislation, establish courts, appoint judges, pardon criminal offenders, and grant licenses of marriage Council (Upper House) – nominated by the governor and approved by the Crown. It was an advisory body The Assembly (The Lower House) – elected from the whites who satisfied certain amount of property qualifications. It drew up its own rules of conduct, disciplined its members, judge their qualifications, enquiry into public grievances, summoned people before it, decided all disputed elections, and impeach high public dignitaries for gross misdemeanors. Laws in each colony were enacted by the governor, council and assembly The Old Representative system of government favoured mainly the wealthy minority class in Jamaica. The sugar industry was favoured and the other sectors neglected. Hence it hindered development of the colony It gave too much power to the Colonial Assembly that was dominated by the plantocracy and merchant classes. The Assembly often defied the instructions of the Colonial Office. The wealthy had little or no interest in the welfare of the poor. They did not consider that as an important issue. The Assembly could not be trusted to put programmes in place for improvement of the masses. Labourers were charged high rentals for land to keep them attached to the estates and they were not represented. The system of justice was titled in favour of the whites and not the masses. The Governor was pro-planter and arrogant and not sympathetic to the plight of the masses Under this system workers petitioned against unjust taxation system and lack of employment. There was a popular disaffection for the system. It was viewed as obsolete and undesirable.

Crown Colony Government Crown Colony – System of government in which there was greater control from England and the Colonial Office. The Colonial Governors exercised many powers and looked to the local legislature mainly for advice. The governor made most of the decisions and the legislative council is composed of nominated individuals representing a small section of the community. This system of government had little or no election of persons to the legislature, but rather nomination of persons to assist the governor who held wide powers or decision making. Expectations under Crown Colony 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 Dissatisfied with Crown Colony 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.