Slavery and Resistance

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Questions and Answers

What was the dominant form of resistance in the Virgin Islands?

Revolt

Maritime marronage (correct)

Burning down of the plantation

Murdering of Europeans

Why could successful maroon societies or settlements exist and survive?

Because they were near cities

Because they were often almost inaccessible (correct)

Because they were accessible

Because they were near plantations

What skills did individuals who ran away to join maroon societies need to develop?

Sailing skills

Defense skills in guerilla warfare (correct)

Farming skills

Cooking skills

Why did maritime marronage become the dominant form of resistance in the Virgin Islands?

Because the Virgin Islands did not provide the terrain necessary for maroon societies to develop Signup and view all the answers

How did enslaved individuals in the Virgin Islands become familiar with the surrounding waters?

Through fishing expeditions Signup and view all the answers

What did enslaved individuals secretly build to facilitate their escape?

Canoes large enough to accommodate whole families Signup and view all the answers

What did planters do to limit the problems of runaway persons in Road Town?

Had guards patrol at night Signup and view all the answers

What was the punishment for enslaved persons circulating the public streets after 9 p.m. without written permission from their owners?

Twenty lashes Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary means of maintaining control in enslaved societies?

The use or threat of violence Signup and view all the answers

What was the consequence for enslaved persons who were found to be in possession of guns and other weapons?

Severe punishment Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT a form of passive resistance?

Physical assault Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary purpose of the enslaved code of 1783?

To restrict enslaved persons' movements Signup and view all the answers

What was the consequence for enslaved persons who informed on conspirators?

Reward Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary difference between active and passive resistance?

Use of violence Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason planters feared being poisoned by their cooks?

Poisoning was a form of passive resistance Signup and view all the answers

What was the term used to describe the act of running away from enslavement?

Marronage Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Resistance to Enslavement

Enslavement was held together by the use or threat of violence as punishment, making violence inherent to enslaved societies.
The Virgin Islands' enslaved code of 1783 prohibited unauthorized movement, congregation, possession of guns and weapons, and secret rituals.

Types of Resistance

Passive resistance: using nonviolent methods, e.g., poisoning, damaging equipment, slowdown of work, and mutilation.
Active resistance: using deliberate actions, sometimes violent, to bring about change, e.g., burning down plantations, revolt, and murdering Europeans.

Marronage

Marronage: running away and joining maroon societies, often in inaccessible areas like jungles, swamps, and mountains.
In the Virgin Islands, marronage took the form of maritime marronage, where enslaved individuals used boats to escape to Puerto Rico.

Maritime Marronage in the Virgin Islands

Enslaved individuals used boats to escape, often building canoes or forcing sailors to take them to Puerto Rico.
This form of resistance created problems for planters, who sent petitions to London regarding the issue.
Planters attempted to limit the problem by having guards patrol at night and imprisoning enslaved persons without permission after 9 p.m.
An Act of 1787 mandated the presence of a European watchman on every fishing boat or cable.

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Description

Explore the different forms of resistance during the era of slavery, including active and passive resistance, and rebellion. Learn how enslaved people fought against their oppressors and sought emancipation.