Resistance.pdf

Resistance, Revolt and Emancipation 1. Differentiate between active and passive resistance. 2. Identify and discuss the most prominent form of active resistance the enslave in the VI engaged. Active resistance: resistance using deliberate actions sometimes violent to bring about or force change....

Resistance, Revolt and Emancipation 1. Differentiate between active and passive resistance. 2. Identify and discuss the most prominent form of active resistance the enslave in the VI engaged. Active resistance: resistance using deliberate actions sometimes violent to bring about or force change. Passive resistance: resistance using only nonviolent methods. Rebellion: defiance of authority or any force used to control a person. Resistance: actions demonstrating one’s refusal to accept or comply with something. Insurrection: rebellion against the government often involving armed conflict. Resistance to Enslavement Enslavement as an institution was held together by the use or threat of violence as punishment. Therefore, violence was inherent to enslaved societies, and the Virgin Islands were no exception. The Virgin Islands' enslaved code of 1783 forbade the unauthorized movement and prohibited enslaved persons to travel without permission, congregate, beat drums, blow horns, or have great feasts and the practice of secret rituals. Laws governing enslavement prohibited the enslaved from being in possession of guns and other weapons. The punishments for actual or threatened violence against a European were especially harsh. Enslaved persons were also rewarded for informing on conspirators. Although punishment was severe and harsh, discussions emphasizing the continuity of resistance on the part of the enslaved continued. The Forms of Resistance Day-to-day resistance or passive resistance, rebellions or active resistance, marronage or running away all existed in the Virgin Islands. Poisonings, damaging equipment, slowdown of work, and mutilation are all forms of passive resistance. Planters constantly feared being poisoned by their cooks, thus making the cook one of the most trusted workers of the planter. Active resistance is using deliberate actions and sometimes violence to bring about or force change. Burning down of the plantation, revolt, and murdering of Europeans, were forms of active resistance; however, in the Virgin Islands maritime marronage was the dominant form of resistance. Marronage Successful maroon societies or settlements could exist and survive because they were often almost inaccessible. This meant living in harsh terrains 50 such as jungles, swamps and inaccessible mountain retreats. Individuals who were apt to run away and join maroon societies were required to adapt to their surroundings and develop defense skills in guerilla warfare. The Virgin Islands did not provide the terrain necessary for maroon societies to develop; however, marronage in the Virgin Islands meant maritime marronage. Creoles had opportunities to become familiar with the surrounding waters on fishing expeditions, and the same boats they manned for their masters were used to make a break for Puerto Rico. EnSlaved also secretly built canoes large enough to accommodate whole families. When they could not build, they forced sailors to take them to Puerto Rico. This form of resistance created problems for planters. Enslaved persons escaped and sought freedom in Puerto Rico, so much so that planters sent regular petitions to London regarding this problem. The planters attempted to limit the problems of runaway persons in Road Town by having guards patrol at night. Enslaved persons circulating the public streets after 9 p.m. without written permission from their owners were imprisoned and punished with twenty lashes. Additionally, an Act of 1787 mandated the presence of a European watchman on every fishing boat or cable.