Pre-Columbian Migration and Societies (up to 1838)

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Questions and Answers

What was one of the main reasons for the failure of the encomienda system?

It relied on voluntary labor from Amerindians.

It provided excessive rights to the Amerindians.

It was too complex to implement effectively.

Its brutality hindered profit generation. (correct)

Who was Bartholomew de las Casas?

An advocate against the abuses of the encomienda system. (correct)

A colonial administrator who supported debt peonage.

A leader of the Amerindian resistance movement.

A Spanish conqueror who expanded the encomienda.

What system replaced the encomienda after its abolition?

The mercantile system.

The repartimiento system. (correct)

The plantation system.

The tribute system.

What was a major characteristic of the debt peonage system?

The person in debt was economically tied to their overlord. Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant outcome of the era of European exploration?

The introduction of new economic policies and technological advances. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following motivated European explorers during their expeditions?

The pursuit of gold and other resources. Signup and view all the answers

What impact did the introduction of tea have on Europe during this time?

It became a fashionable trend among Europeans. Signup and view all the answers

What advantage did the repartimiento system offer to Amerindians?

Some rights and provisions were granted. Signup and view all the answers

Which group came directly after poor whites in the social pyramid?

Free coloured or mulattoes Signup and view all the answers

What was a common characteristic of the coloured elite in the plantation society?

They were well-educated and wealthy. Signup and view all the answers

Which group had the most opportunities for social mobility?

Domestic slaves Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of the plantation system during the 15th-17th centuries?

To amass and satisfy European markets with tropical products. Signup and view all the answers

What role did skin color play in the plantation society?

It served as a sign of social status and hierarchy. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the plantation hierarchy?

It was rigid, with limited social mobility across the board. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the key motivations behind the plantation model?

To consolidate the empire economically and politically. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of slaves were primarily responsible for cultivating the sugar crop?

Field slaves Signup and view all the answers

What is one factor that contributed to the Haitian Revolution?

The large free coloured class spreading revolutionary ideas Signup and view all the answers

Which method of non-violent resistance involved slaves pretending to be ill?

Feigning illness Signup and view all the answers

What event did slaves in Barbados mistakenly believe led to their emancipation?

The abolition of the Slave Trade in 1807 Signup and view all the answers

What leadership was pivotal during the Haitian Revolution?

Toussaint L'Ouverture Signup and view all the answers

During the Demerara Uprising, who were key figures in leading the rebellion?

Jack Gladstone and Joseph Packwood Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant outcome of the Barbados Rebellion in 1816?

Destruction of a quarter of the sugar cane crop Signup and view all the answers

How did maroonage contribute to the domestic economy?

By engaging in subsistence agriculture Signup and view all the answers

What characterized the Barbados Rebellion of 1816?

It caught the plantocracy by surprise Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the main reasons for the revolt among Christian slaves?

New restrictions on their religious practices Signup and view all the answers

Who was responsible for betraying the rebellion and informing on the slaves?

Packwood Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of Rev. John Smith's actions during the revolt?

He was arrested and later died of pneumonia Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributed to the quick collapse of the uprising, despite the slaves being heavily armed?

Poor organization among the rebels Signup and view all the answers

What significant action did Sam Sharpe lead during the rebellion?

A refusal to work and strikes Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the consequences of the Muharram Massacre of 1884?

Increased restrictions on cultural processions Signup and view all the answers

How did the uprising led by Sam Sharpe impact property in Jamaica?

Over £1 million in damages was caused due to burned plantations Signup and view all the answers

What ignited the Muharram Massacre in 1884?

Restrictive laws against processions Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant reason for the Free Village Movement's emergence?

Availability of land in larger territories Signup and view all the answers

What impact did the peasantry have on agricultural practices after the end of slavery?

They diversified agriculture with new and old crops. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the attitude of the planters towards the Free Village Movement?

They sought to stop the sale of and squatting on crown lands. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the immediate results of the Morant Bay Rebellion?

Increased repression and a limited adult franchise. Signup and view all the answers

How did the attitudes of colonial governors impact the Free Village Movement?

Some governors encouraged the movement whereas others legislated against it. Signup and view all the answers

What social outcome resulted from increased interaction among different races post-emancipation?

Improvement in family life and cultural pluralism. Signup and view all the answers

Why did few Indians understand the reading of the Riot Act during the event in San Fernando?

The language used was unfamiliar to the majority. Signup and view all the answers

What was one main reason for resistance against the Free Village Movement by the colonial government?

They wanted to support the planters in maintaining control. Signup and view all the answers

What was one primary reason for the failure of the West Indian Federation?

Disagreements in funding and voting criteria per territory Signup and view all the answers

How did the Atlantic Charter of Human Rights influence the Caribbean independence movement?

It recognized the rights of native sovereignty globally. Signup and view all the answers

Political enfranchisement significantly impacted which aspect of independence?

Opportunities for natives to acquire political office Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of economic enfranchisement following independence?

Legitimacy for local entrepreneurship Signup and view all the answers

What role did the collapse of the West Indian Federation play in achieving independence?

It prompted the British government to recognize sovereignty. Signup and view all the answers

What impact did adult suffrage have on the political landscape in the Caribbean?

It initiated the process of gaining autonomy in political affairs. Signup and view all the answers

What was a key factor for native people's ability to dictate economic processes post-independence?

Implementation of local taxation schemes Signup and view all the answers

Which factor illustrates the relationship between political and economic enfranchisement in the Caribbean?

Political enfranchisement enabled economic decision-making. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Migratory Movements Within the Region From Pre-Columbian Times to 1838

Ancestors of pre-Columbian Amerindians likely migrated from Northeast Asia to Alaska across the Bering Strait (40,000-12,000 BCE)
These people were nomadic, traveling through the Americas
Distinct physical and cultural characteristics developed
Main indigenous groups in 1492, included the Lucayans, Tainos, Ignerian Arawaks, Kalinagos, Aztecs, Maya, Toltec, Itza, and Inca

Tainos had larger settlements and greater involvement in decisions compared to smaller Kalinagos groups with less involvement
Tainos were more agrarian; Kalinagos were hunter-gatherers

Economic Systems

Tainos practiced more agrarian techniques
Kalinagos were less skilled at agriculture, relying on slash-and-burn methods

Political Systems

Tainos had hereditary leadership (Cacique)
Kalinagos had a warrior chosen to lead

Military Systems

Tainos and Kalinagos had varying levels of warfare.
Tainos less war-like, and Kalinagos more aggressive

Religious Beliefs

Both groups had naturalistic/spiritual beliefs.

Pre-Columbian Cultures

Ciboney (early inhabitants of the Greater Antilles), whose disappearance occurred before the Spanish arrival.
Tainos (arrived around 300 BCE); known for their farming style, conuco
Kalinagos (last group to arrive) skilled in hunting and gathering, this helped them survive.

Christopher Columbus and the Columbian Exchange

Columbus' arrival in 1492 triggered mass migration of Europeans, Africans and Asians to the Caribbean
Spain claimed ownership of the islands for mineral resources.
This led to the exploitation and enslavement of the indigenous population
Unsettlement and neglect of areas occurred initially, but the European presence led to permanent settlement.

Impacts of the Spanish Conquests

Indigenous populations faced extermination through genocide
European diseases, like smallpox, influenza, syphilis, and harsh treatment

Slash and Burn Agriculture

The Taino practiced slash-and-burn agriculture, creating conuco farming, for improved soil nutrition and fertility.
The system allowed intercropping, aiding in soil replenishment
This was practiced across the world
This was a less intensive approach that focused on subsistence farming rather than large-scale production

Encomienda System

A system of land and labour distribution
Settlemernts were given parcels of land and indigenous people to work on it
The Amerindians were exploited, not slaves but forced to work.
This system contributed to the exploitation of the indigenous peoples

Debt Peonage

Debt peonage is a system of economic enslavement
Indigenous people accumulated debt that bound them to the system until it was repaid
This is a system that was implemented after the removal of the encomienda system

The Plantation System

Sugar production spurred the development of the plantation system in the Carribean
Europe demanded large amounts of sugar
The Caribbean's climate and fertile soil were perfect for sugar cane cultivation
This led to the development of large-scale plantations and the forced use of African slaves as labour
Indigenous populations were reduced by disease and enslavement

Plantation Societies

Plantation Societies in the Caribbean were rigidly stratified pyramidal structures.
The Planter was at the top of the pyramid followed by the Overseers and skilled white staff, Poor Whites, Free Coloureds/Mulattoes, Domestic Slaves/Factory Slaves, and Field Slaves.

Resistance to Colonial Oppression

Various forms of resistance existed throughout the colonial period including rebellions, legal actions, and the development of organized political movements

The Plantation System's Operations

Sugar, coffee, tobacco, and cocoa production created a high demand on the European market
Colonial governments sought to export commodities and consolidate their power through trade

Methods to Stir Up Public Opinion

Use of slogans, sermons, paintings, petitions, and debates.

Economic Impact of the Decline in Plantation Profitability:

Plantation profits declined due to competition from other sugar producing areas, such as North America and Europe
The cost of maintaining slaves was greater than paying wage laborers; this was a crucial factor in the decline of profitability
The demand for sugar decreased due to increased production in other areas

The Act of Emancipation 1834

Declared the freedom of all slaves in the British colonies
Provided for a gradual transition, with an apprenticeship period, before full freedom was granted

Indentureship

Indentured labour supplied labour in place of slavery
Main groups who were recruited were Syrian, Lebanese, Free Whites, Chinese and Indians, recruited from Africa and Asia

Causes of Migration

Economic hardship, political persecution and the collapse of the West Indian Federation increased migration from India to the region

Plantation Resistance

Forms of resistance included desertion, feigning illness, and destruction of property and equipment.

Violent Resistance:

Rebellions and revolts, such as the Maroonage, occurred to resist colonial powers

The Haitian Revolution

The Haitian Revolution, influenced by the French Revolution, resulted in the abolition of slavery in Haiti
The revolution created social unrest and inspired other uprisings in the Caribbean region

The Barbados Rebellion

The Barbados Rebellion was a significant revolt that aimed for freedom and opposed harsh treatment within the system.

Demerara Uprising

A slave uprising that challenged slave masters

Muharram Massacre/ Hosay Massacre

Mass killings of indentured labourers during a religious procession, highlighting the resistance of the oppressed community

Free Village Movement

Free Village Movement allowed former slaves to settle on lands outside plantations, creating a new means of economic independence
Communities of former enslaved people emerged, offering an alternative to plantation life

Colonial Oppression Timeline

Timeline showing resistance to colonial oppression, involving various groups across the Caribbean.

Movement Towards Independence

The collapse of the West Indian Federation and the rise of trade unionism and political parties played a role in the movement towards independence.

Atlantic Charter of Human Rights

Acknowledged the rights of native sovereignty through global recognition and political pressure, during the post World War 2 colonialism era

Economic Enfranchisement

The ability of the people to determine their mode of production

Entrepreneurial Activities

The blossoming of entrepreneurial activity following the abolition of slavery

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Description

Explore the migratory movements and social, economic, and political systems of the pre-Columbian Amerindians from Northeast Asia to the Americas. This quiz covers the distinct characteristics of major indigenous groups such as the Tainos and Kalinagos. Test your knowledge of their cultural practices and societal structures leading up to 1838.