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THEME 1- THE AMERINDIANS

What is History? When the animals moved from place to

History is a branch of Knowledge. It place so did the Amerindians.
is the study of past events or it is historical
information of past events. It is believed that the animals and the
people crossed over into the Americas after
Why is History Important? the snow had frozen over and formed an ice
It helps us to develop life skills. It bridge. This body of water was between
helps us to understand who we are and Russia and Alaska and was known as the
where we came from. It helps us to Bering Strait.
distinguish between fact and opinion. It
allows us to communicate in a clear and Some of the Indians settled in North
effective way. America and were known as the Native
American Indians. Others drifted to Central

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Two Types of Historical Sources America and they were the Aztecs and the
Primary Source - information obtained at Mayas. Others still travelled into South
the time of the events they tell about e.g. America and they were the Incas. Those
pictures, bill of sale, recordings, eye witness who came to the Caribbean Region were
accounts, dairies. known as the Arawaks and the Caribs.

Secondary Source- information gathered The Arawaks' Way of Life

after the events they describe e.g.
newspapers, books, journals, magazines, The word ‘Arawaks’ means, “Eaters of
research papers and news reports. meals”

The Two Types of Arawaks

The Migratory Pattern of the The Lucayans - They were very peaceful
Amerindians and gullible and settled in The Bahamas.

The Mongoloids The Tainos - They were aggressive and

The early Amerindians (American settled in areas such as: Hispaniola Jamaica,
Indians) were nomads (wanderers) who Puerto Rico, and the Lesser Antilles.
followed animals such as buffalo and deer in
order to obtain food, clothing, oil, and Their Appearance: Describe the Arawaks’
medicine. The Amerindians drifted mainly appearance, dress and religious beliefs
from an area in Asia known as Mongolia;
hence, they were known as Mongoloids. They were short to medium height. They
had flat foreheads, which was seen as a sign
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of beauty and were used for protection. They • The cacique was the ceremonial ruler and
also had straight black hair and were lawmaker and he told the people when to
plumped. They were of an olive complexion plant and reap.
and had slanted eyes

Social Hierarchy
Their Dress
They painted their body as a sign of beauty,
Cacique
for religious ceremonies, and as a repellant
I
against mosquitoes. They wore loincloth.
Nobles
They wore ornaments such as bracelets, ear
I
and nose plugs, and necklaces. They wore
Commoners
their hair in a pudding basin style.
I
Slaves
Their Religion
The "cacique" was their chief. He was the
Customs
ceremonial leader, lawmaker, and instructed

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• Played a ball game called "batos"
the people when to plant and reap. The
• Had a barkless dog called "alcos"
Arawaks believed in a sky god and an earth
• Their singing and dancing was called
goddess and they had many gods. They
"Arietos"
worshiped an idol called "Zemi" which was
• Their system of farming was the "slash
made from cloth stones, bones etc. They
and burn method"
believed in life after death and evil spirits.
They worshiped their ancestors. The ‘Duho’
Slash and Burn Method
was their ceremonial stool. Coyaba was
The Arawaks would use sharpened
their heaven and Cohiba was their tobacco. rocks and sticks to cut down the bushes.
They would then burn the bushes and the
Their food ashes were used as fertilizer. Sticks were
• Their favorite food was cassava used to dig holes in the ground. Seeds were
• Their favorite dish was "pepper pot" placed in the holes and were covered with
• They ate maize, Iguanas, turtles, fish, soil and ashes. The area was then watered.
fruits and vegetables
• They refused to eat mammee apples as Technology
these were presented to the god's of the • The first house was the cacique's house
dead. and was called the "Bohio". It was
rectangular in shape.
Their Political System • The second house was the commoner's
house and was called the Caneye. It was
• The cacique was their chief circular in shape.
• He gained his power through inheritance • Stone tools
• Arawak carvings
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• Hammocks The Caribs settled in the Lesser

• Canoes Antilles in Islands such as Dominica,
• The Arawaks also made spears, wooden Trinidad, Martinique, and Guadeloupe.
bows and arrows, ornaments, loin cloth,
zemi and pottery. Their Appearance
• They were light brown in complexion.
• They were medium height to tall
• They had slanted eyes
• They were robust - physically strong
The Fate of the Arawaks • They had straight, black hair

• They were over-worked and underfed,

hence they died out Their Dress
• The Spanish allowed their cattle to trample • They wore loin cloth, but on some islands
over the Arawaks' vegetation, which they went completely naked
caused the Arawaks to starve to death. • They had body piercings
• The Arawaks ran way and starved • They wore red die called, Roucou
• The Spanish forced the Arawaks to dive • They wore a necklace containing the teeth

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for pearls in the Magarita causing many of and bones of their victims called Caracoli
them to drown • They wore a bracelet called Rassada
• The Encomienda System - It was
designed Nicolas Ovando, a Spanish Their Religion
governor of Hispaniola. In this system the • They believed in evil spirits and life after
Arawaks agreed to work for the Spanish in death
return for Christianity and security. • Their priest was called Boyez
However, this did not work as the Arawaks • The priest was trained to ward off evil
were overworked and died quickly spirits
because of this. • Their god/spirit was Maboya
• The Spanish used the Arawaks for sports.
They would allow the Arawaks to run in Their Food
the fields, chase them on horses, and • They ate cassava, corn, pepper pot and
would try to see who could cut off the iguana
heads of the Arawaks with one swipe of • They ate very little vegetables
their sword. • They did not eat pigs and snails because
they feared it would make them slow and
The Caribs' way of Life stupid.
Another word for Carib is Kalinagos.
They were cannibals which means they were
eaters of human flesh Their Political System
• The chief during the wartime was
Ouboutou/ Uboutu
Where Did The Caribs Settle?
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• He gained his position through his ability were sent back to the hut. If they passed that
to win raids section, they were sent into the wilderness to
• The chief during peacetime was (Tiubutuli find their spirit.
Hauthe).
Technology
• They made their weapons of bows and
Social Hierarchy arrows with poisonous tips, sharpened
rocks, knives, and clubs
Ouboutou • They built their houses
I • They made hammocks loin cloth,
Tiubutuli Hauthe ornaments and their warrior boats were
I known as "Piragas"
Boyez/Warriors • They had waterproof baskets
I
Nobles How the Caribs Made their Boats
I First they would cut down a silk
Commoners cotton tree, then burn the interior of the tree
I trunk. They would later use sharpened rocks

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Slaves and sticks to hallow out the interior of the
trunk. When this was completed, they would
Their Customs bury the boat in dampened sand to cure it
• Men lived together in a large house called from insects.
‘carbet’
• Before a raid, the warriors would paint How were the Caribs able to survive the
their bodies, sing, dance, smoke tobacco European invasion?
and chant until they worked themselves
into a rage. They also told stories of • They were fierce in nature (cannibals), so
previous raids. the Spanish were afraid of them.
• It was the custom for the Caribs to raid the • They lived in the hilly areas of the Lesser
Arawak village and turn the men into Antilles which was good for hiding from
slaves and the women into their their enemies
Concubines. • The Spanish were not interested in the
Lesser Antilles because the area was much
The Initiation Test too small for development.
At the age of four, boys were taken • They went through years of training to
from their mother's hut and were sent to live become successful warriors.
with the men in the ‘Carbet’. Here they
went through rigorous training to become
warriors. At the age of thirteen or fourteen, The Mayan Society
they went through an initiation test. They Where did the Mayans Settle?
had to kill a bird then use the beak of the
bird to rip their skin open. Peppers were
rubbed into the wound. If they flinched, they
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The Mayans settled in Central America in

countries such as: the Yucatan Peninsula, Their Food
Mexico, Honduras and Belize. • Their main food was Corn (maize)
• They ate a lot of meat e.g. fish, iguanas
Their Appearance • They ate a lot of fruits and veggies
• They were short: just under 5 feet tall
• They were of a brown complexion Their Political System
• They too had flat foreheads for beauty • Their chief was Halach Uinic - True Man
• They had straight black hair • He gained his position through inheritance
• They had crossed eyes, which was a sign • They lived in City States.
of beauty. • They had village chiefs called "Batabs"
• They were robust and physically strong
Social Hierarchy
Their Dress
• They wore a garment called "ex" Halach Uinic
• They painted their bodies I
• They wore ornaments Batabs
• They wore sandals I

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• They wore costumes on a few occasions. Nobles
I
Their Religious Beliefs Commoners/Merchants/Ppolms
• They worshipped many Gods, (166) I
• They believe in life after death Slaves
• They believe in evil spirits
• They also worshipped their ancestors
• Their priest was called "Ah Kin" Their Customs
• Their chief God was "Hunab Ku" • They played a ball game called "Pok-A-
• Rain God - Chac Tok". This was similar to basketball. The
• Corn God - Yum Kax losers were often sacrificed.
• Sun God - Kinich Abau • They planted on a large scale
• Their means of money was "Coco Beans"
• They traded on a large scale. Trade was
carried out by Merchants or Ppolms
Role of the Mayan Women • Only the priest could enter the temple
Technology
• The main job of the women was bearing
children and raising them • They built city states
• They were also involved in economic, • They built pyramids with temples were on
government, and farming activities the top
• Women rarely ruled the people and when • They had a number system where they
they did, it was only by inheritance could add, subtract, multiply, and divide.
• Woman also acted as weavers and • They also had a calendar system, where
harvesters they could foretell seasons.
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• They had a system of writing known as

"Hieroglyphics" Bartolome’ De Las Casa
• They were good artists and painters He was a referred to as a ‘Dominican
Friar’ or monk from Spain. He highlighted
Their system of farming: the gruesome treatment of the Arawaks in
The Mayans were commercial farming that the Caribbean. He tried to prevent their
used a system of farming known as extinction by suggesting another workforce
Terracing. This was where they farmed on (African Slaves) to be put in place. He was
the hillsides in what looks likes steps. This called 'Protector of the Indians'.
was to ensure that all the crops were watered
and to prevent soil erosion. When he began preaching against
slavery, the whites became very angry.
The Mayans built storage facilities to
preserve the excess food from the harvest. and looked at ways to get rid of him. He was
The excess crops were then traded with later sent to another island.
other tribes for things the Mayans did not
produce or have commercial farming.

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The Renaissance Period
(14th - 16th Century)

Renaissance means “the rebirth of learning

Protectors of the Indians of knowledge”.

Antonio De Montesinos Why was there a need for the Renaissance?

He was a clergyman (minister) born
in Spain in the 15th century. In After the Roman Empire had collapsed it
seemed all learning was at a stand still for a
1511, he arrived in Santa Domingo (now long time. As a result, some influential
Dominican Republic). As soon as he arrived; people came together to revive the region
he attempted to free the Indians from a life and get industries and learning going again.
of slavery to which the Spanish held them. The Renaissance began in Italy in the
He became an object of persecution. 1300’s, then spread north to the rest of
At first he tried quietly to make the Spanish Europe reaching its height in 1500.
understand the injury they were causing the
Indians. When that failed, he went public.
Areas of changes made during the
He used sermons and protest Renaissance period
speeches to get his message across. He was 1.Art
charged with heresy (an opinion or doctrine 2. Science
the conflicts with the Catholics beliefs). He 3. Philosophy
was later sent to another island.
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4. Geography The Quadrant

5. Religion Navigators used this instrument
6. Astronomy during open sea voyages. It was used to
7. Cartography measure the altitude of the celestial body
8. Shipbuilding above the horizon.
9. Navigational Instruments
10. Music
The Throwing Lead or Lead Line
Areas of Change Made to Sailing
This instrument was made of a long
• Ship building line with a lead attached to the end of it. It
• Navigational instruments was used to measure the depth of the ocean.
• Maps and charts
• Astronomy - study of the stars The Compass
This navigational instrument was
circular in shape. It also had the cardinal
points showing North, South, East and West.
Ship Building Navigators use it even today to give

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European ships became much larger directions.
and more suitable for open water voyages.
They were much faster than before. The The Hourglass
rudder was moved from the back of the boat This was another instrument used by
to steer it. They also had more storage for navigators. It had two bulb-like glasses with
food and sleeping quarters. a narrow neck connecting the two bulbs.
Sand was usually in one bulb, which slowly
The North Star filtered into the other bulb at the lower end.
The study of the stars during this This was used to measure time.
period was very important as it helped
navigators to know where they were and Important personalities during the
where they were going. This also enabled Renaissance
the sailors to sail further away from the
shores and still be able to make it back Prince Henry
home. He was the Son of King John of
Portugal. He was also the founder of the
Navigational Instruments navigational school, which led to great
expansions in Europe. He gathered
The Astrolabe mapmakers, geographers, sea captains, and
This instrument was used to provide others to expand the knowledge of
a picture of how the sky looked at the navigation. He made long ocean voyages
observer's latitude and time. It was circular possible.
in shape and had moveable parts.
Nicholas Copernicus
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He was a great scientist who claimed book called ‘The Prince’. During this time,
that the earth was not flat, nor was it the the main areas of study were: Grammar,
center of the universe. Rather, it was just a Rhetoric, Poetry and History.
planet out of many planets in the solar
system. He got into trouble with the Roman Johan Guttenberg
Catholic Church for teaching this. He introduced the first printing press
to Europe. This enabled people to acquire
Galileo books, especially the Bible, and read it for
He too was a great scientist who themselves.
confirmed the theory of Copernicus that the
earth was a sphere. He also got into trouble The Impact of the Printing Press
with the Roman Catholic Church.
Leonardo da Vinci Books became much cheaper and easier to
He was not only a painter and print than hand copied books. As books
sculptor but he was also a mathematician, became available more people were able to
scientist, and engineer. He even sketched the read and write, thus accessing a wider range
plans for the first steamboat and a flying of knowledge.
machine. He was known as the "Renaissance

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Man". He painted the Mona Lisa and The The printing press brought about religious
Last Supper. conflicts as more Christians began reading
the bible for themselves and began to form
Michelangelo their own ideas about religion. Reformers
He was an artist who set out to paint
such as: Martin Luther (white man) and
people as real life human beings, not just as
good or evil characters. He painted the John Calvin began to highlight the
famous Sistine Chapel. corruption that was taking place within the
catholic church and eventually broke away
from the catholic church and started the
protestant or Lutheran movement.
Marco Polo
He was an Italian who helped to
bring Europe closer to the East. In 1271,
when he was 17 years old, he left Italy to
visit the great Khan of China. He later
wrote a book called "The Description of the
World." When returned to Italy, he brought
with him gunpowder, spaghetti, paper
money, coal, and a printer.

Niccolo’ Machiavelli
He was an Italian historian, politician,
diplomat, philosopher, humanist and writer.
He was a great writer who wrote a political
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Christopher Columbus

around the coast of Africa. Also, they

thought he was crazy.
His Early Life

Christopher Columbus was the first Getting a Break

European to establish permanent contact
between Europe and the Americas. He was After Columbus' wife died in 1483,
born in Genoa Italy in 1451. He was the son he decided to try his luck with Spain. For six
of a weaver named Domenico Columbo and years he waited for the Spanish to come to a
his wife Susanna. He later married Dona decision, but Spain was too busy fighting in
Felipa Perestrello and together they had two a bloody war to get rid of the Moors (Arabs
sons. from North Africa). Four years later in 1492,

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after the war, Queen Isabella and King
The Enterprise of the Indies Ferdinand finally decided to support
Columbus on his first voyage.
He and his family later moved to
Lisbon, Portugal, where he became a Columbus' First Voyage
cartographer. It was in Lisbon that he
formed the idea of sailing west to get to the After 3 months of preparation on
east. Friday August 3, 1492, three ships: The
He believed it was possible to reach Asia Niña, Pinta, and Santa Maria (his flag ship)
and its rich trade by sailing west from and a crew of ninety men left from Palos
Europe. This was because he knew the Spain. These ships were of the most
world was round. This project was called the advanced designs and were equipped with
enterprise of the Indies. the latest instruments.

Obtaining Sponsorship Life At Sea

This project (his voyage) was a Life on board the ship was rough.
difficult task. First of all, he needed support Only Columbus and his captains had
from wealthy and influential people. He also sleeping cabins with bunks. All the other
needed money for his ships, food and crew. sailors had to sleep anywhere they could
For 8 years he tried without success to gain find in their work clothes. Their store of
support for his venture. First, he tried food and water was supposed to last a year.
Portugal, but they rejected his offer as they However their fresh fruits and vegetables
already found a new route to Asia by going
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only lasted a few days and their water Bahamas, Cuba, and Hispaniola. Here is
quickly turned bad. where they found some gold.

On October 7, Columbus changed Reasons Columbus Sailed West

course to follow a flock of birds that flew
over the ships. Also, on two occasions their • To find a new sea route to the east
compass malfunctioned and the needle • To obtain gold, silver and spices
stopped pointing north. • To expand Spanish territory.
• To outdo the Portuguese.
Other Problems • To prove the theory that the earth is round
• (N.B.) It was agreed that all the land
If that wasn't bad enough, tension discovered would become the property of
began to run high and the crew threatened Spain.
mutiny (rebellion). However, Columbus
persuaded his men to travel for three more The Consequences of the Voyage
days and if no land was found, he promised
they would return home. They stopped at the • The Old World met the new world for the
Canary Islands to get fresh water, food first time

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supplies, and to change the sail on one of the • The age of colonization began
ships. They then continued in their way. • Christianity came to the west
• The genocide of the Amerindians
On October 11, 1492 in the dark of
the night, one of the sailors saw light and
shouted "Tierra! Tierra!" which meant,
"Land! Land!" The next morning on October The Landfall Controversy
12, 1492, Christopher Columbus and his
three ships landed on the flat shore of For many years there has been a
Guanahani in The Bahamas, which he controversy as to where Columbus actually
renamed San Salvador, meaning, Holy landed on his first voyage. Between
Savior. 1925-1986 at least ten different islands in
the Bahamas have been identified as the
island called San Salvador by Columbus.
His encounter with natives These islands are: Cat Island, Watling
Island, Turks and Caicos, Rum Cay,
When Columbus landed, he found Mayagauna, Samana Cay, Egg Island, Plana
many strange people with little or no cay and others.
clothing. At first they seemed shy but later Many people from Cat Island believe that he
very friendly. They treated them like Gods at landed there, because in his journals he
first and worshiped them. They exchanged described going on a high hill to pray. There
gifts such as hawk's bells, broken glass, gold is one such hill in Cat Island, but there are
bracelets and other items. The natives also no high hills in San Salvador. Most people
showed them the other islands of The believe he landed in San Salvador.
Columbus visited the islands of Cuba,
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Hispaniola, and The Bahamas on his first the island. In Hispaniola, the Spanish settlers
voyage. were unhappy at finding very little Gold and
rebelled when Columbus made them work to
Columbus' Second Voyage build a new settlement called Isabella. He
then left them and went further exploring,
Seven months after Columbus' return leaving his brother Diego in charge of the
to Spain, Queen Isabella sent him on a island.
second voyage to claim the new world for
Spain. He was also sent to begin serious When he returned to Hispaniola, he
settlement. Columbus was made admiral of was faced with threat from nearly all the
a fleet of three decked ships and 14 caravels caciques in the nearby villages but with only
carrying 1,500 settlers and 12 missionaries. 200-armed men, he was able to defeat
He also had with him 9 Arawaks that he had thousands of Arawaks. This led to the
taken to Spain to show the queen. Many of beginning of the Extinction of Arawak
the settlers were ex soldiers who fought Indians. All male Arawaks over the age of
against the Moors (Arabs from Africa) and 14 were forced to do hard labor for the
now wanted a life of adventure. He also had Spanish.
horses, cattle, sheep, goats, and poultry.

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However, the most important thing was the News of the treatment of the
sugar cane that came from the Canary Arawaks got back to the queen and Juan
Islands. Aguado was sent to collect evidence against
Columbus. As a result, Christopher
Columbus reached the West Indies at Columbus had to return to Spain to answer
Dominica and it was here that he first to charges brought against him. His other
learned about cannibalism from the Caribs. brother, Bartholomew, was left in charge of
He also visited other islands such as the island.
Galante, Guadeloupe, Redona, Montserrat,
Antigua, Nevis, St. Eustatius and the Virgin Columbus' Third Voyage (1498)
Islands. Columbus reached ‘La
Navidad’ (settlement) on the 27 of Queen Isabella sent Columbus on yet
November 1493, only to find the settlement another voyage. People were no longer
completely destroyed and his men's heads interested in going to the New World
left on stumps. He had warned his men not because little gold was found there and the
to interfere with the Arawak women, but islands proved unhealthy. He set sail on the
they disobeyed and war began between the 30th of May 1498. He went farther south of
Arawak men and the Spanish. Columbus the two previous voyages. He reached the
blamed the Arawaks for the destruction and West Indies at Trinidad and passed on the
set out to take revenge. South side of the Island where he saw the
Venezuelan coast.
After meeting the Caribs, Columbus There were two serious outbreaks of
sent some back to Spain as prisoners war between the Spanish and the caciques.
because they fought against him, but Queen King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella were
Isabella became angry and sent them back to worried about Columbus' growing power
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and in 1500; they sent Bobadilla to arrest Columbus allowed him to die poor and
Columbus and his brothers Diego and dishonored on May 20 1506. His body was
Bartholomew. They were brought back to moved several times and his final resting
Spain in chains, but they protested the arrest place was in Hispaniola in 1542.
and were released immediately. The King
and Queen later welcomed Columbus home. The Treaty of Tordesillas
The Conflict
Columbus' Fourth Voyage The king of Portugal heard about
(1502 - 1506) Columbus' discovery and quickly claimed
the new world from Portugal. Spain on the
Isabella agreed to a fourth voyage by other hand had already claimed the new
Columbus. He made a promise to the queen world. These two countries were at the brink
that he would not go to Hispaniola because a of war. The matter was then put to the pope.
new governor had been appointed to that
region in the form of Nicholas Ovando. The Pope Alexander VI had the task of
queen did not want a conflict between these dealing with the conflict between Spain and
two men. However, Columbus disobeyed the Portugal. This pope was also Spanish, and
queen and eventually made his way to he was determined to settle this in a peaceful

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Hispaniola, but Ovando refused to let him manner. The pope drew an imaginary line
dock on the island. down the world, 370 degrees west of the
Cape Verde Islands. He gave Spain the
He later explored the coast of Central Western portion of the new World and
America from the Golf to Honduras to Portugal got the eastern portion. After the
Panama, with the hope of finding a route to pope drew an imaginary line down the
Asia. However, he gave up because he found world, he drafted up a peace treaty in
no passageway to the east. Tordesillas which became known as the
‘Treaty of Tordesillas’, in which the two
countries promised never to fight again.
He later docked in Jamaica where he
was forced to stay for a year in order to
make repairs to his ship. He landed in 1504.
The queen died soon after and King
Ferdinand, who didn't care about
Definition of terms

1. List: - a number of connected items or names written or printed consecutively,

typically one below the other.
2. Explain: - to make something clear or easy to understand by describing or
giving information about it.
3. Compare: -This is act of addressing the similarities and differences between two
or more things
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4. History: - The study of past events

5. Amerindians: - American Indians
6. Nomads: - Wonderers
7. Bering Strait: – A body of water separating Russia from Alaska.
8. Renaissance: - Rebirth of learning
9. Moors: - Arabs from North Africa
10.Carbet: - Carib warrior house

STUDY QUESTIONS- Theme: 1

2000
a). Locate the main region where the Mayas came from (1pt)
b). List THREE reasons why the Caribs were able to survive European invasion for many years.
(3pts)
c). Describe how Mayan city-state was developed. (5pts)
d). Compare the technology of the Mayas with that of the Arawaks. (5pts)
e). “ Columbus’ four voyages had a great impact on the lives of the Spanish only.” To what
extent do you agree with this statement? Explain your answers fully.

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2001
a). What food did the Arawaks loved the best? (1pt)
b). The Arawaks were quite primitive. Describe their level of development. (3pts)
c). Examine the level of technology the Mayans developed. (5pts)
d). Compare the religious beliefs and political system of the Arawaks and Mayans. (5pts)
e). “ Most of the Indians died out because the Spanish wanted all of the power.” How far do you
agree with this idea? Explain. (6pts).

2002
a). Give the name of the Caribs’ war chief? (1pt)
b). How was it possible for the Caribs to protect themselves from Spanish invaders? (3pts)
c). The Caribs warriors did several things to get ready for a raid. Explain what they did. (5pts)
d). Compare Mayan and Arawak Political Organization. (5pts)
e). “The Mayan and Arawaks shared similar political system”. How far do you agree with point?
(6pts)

2003
a). Give the name of the Cacique’ ceremonial stool? (1pt)
b). Name THREE reasons to justify why the Amerindians painted themselves. (3pts)
c). Explain the Arawaks’ method of farming. (5pts)
d). Explain whether or not the Arawaks religious system was similar to that of the Mayas? (5pts)
e). “Many people believed that the Mayans were the most advanced groups of Amerindians in
the world.” To what extent do you agree with this view? Explain. (6pt)
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2004
a). Define the term ‘Renaissance’. (1pt)
b). Long ocean voyages were made possible with the advancement of THREE major
developments. What are they?. (3pts)
c). Explain why the Spanish finally decided to send Columbus on a voyage . (5pts)
d). How similar was the Arawaks’ every day life before and after the Columbus’ voyage to the
Americas. (5pts)
e). “Many believe that Columbus was a great hero”. To what extent do you agree with this
belief? Explain your answer. (6pts)

2005
a). State the meaning of the term “Arawaks”. (1pt)
b). Name THREE ways in which Arawaks lost their lives. (3pts)
c). Describe how the excess crops that were planted by Mayans boosted their economic
development. (5pts)
d). How similar were the responses of the Arawaks and the Caribs towards European invasions?
Explain your answer. (5pts)

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e. “ The political structure of the mainland Indians was more organized than the island Indians.”
Do you agree with statement? Explain your answer. (6pts)

2006
a). Name the person who introduced the Encomienda system to Hispaniola. (1pt)
b). State THREE terms of the encomienda agreement. (3pts)
c) Explain why the Caribs were able to withstand European domination. (5pts)
d). How similar were the attempts of Bartoleme’ de las Casas and Antonio de Montesinos to
improve conditions of the Arawaks. (5pts)
e). “The Spaniards were responsible for the genocide of the Arawaks”. Do you agree with this
statement? Explain your answer. (6pts)

2007
a). What was the Carib word for a priest? (1pt)
b). State THREE reasons why the Arawaks painted their bodies. (3pts)
c). Explain why the Caribs were better warriors than the Arawaks. (5pts)
d). How similar were the roles of the chief priest in the Arawak and Carib society. (5pts)
e). “ The Caribs were responsible for the demise of the Arawaks”. How far do you agree with
this statement? Explain your answer. (6pts)

2008
a). Name the Mayan religious ball game. (1pt)
b). State THREE aspects of Mayan trade, which made them more advanced than other groups.
(3pts)
c). Explain the role women played in Mayan society. (5pts)
 !15

d). Compare and contrast the religion of the Caribs and Mayas. (5pts)
e). “ The collapse of the Mayan civilization after the classical period was caused by their
religion.” How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. (6pts).

2009
a). What was the name of Columbus’ flagship? (1pt)
b). State THREE great achievements made during the Renaissance period. (3pts)
c). Explain why the Renaissance period was the turning point in the European history. (5pts)
d). How similar were Columbus’ voyage and other voyages during the Renaissance? (5)
e). “1492 brought culture, civilization and religion to the Caribbean.” To what extent do you
agree with this statement? (6pts)

2010
a). Who was the Ouboutou? (1pt)
b). Why did the Caribs go out on raids against the Arawaks? (3pts)
c). Explain how the Caribs were able to survive enslavement by the Spaniards. (5pts)
d). Compare the Carib’ s way of life before and after the arrival of the Europeans. (5pts)
e). “ The Caribs civilization was able to survive the European colonization of the West Indies “.

ABBA
Do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer fully. (6pts)

2011
a). State ONE effect of the Renaissance on the voyages of discovery during the 15th century.
(1pt)
b). Why did Columbus believe that he would be able to sail west and arrive in the East Indies?
(3pts)
c). Explain the technology and the skills used by Columbus when making his voyage of
discovery. (5pts)
d). How similar were the reasons for the Spanish and the Portuguese governments’ interest in
voyages of discovery? (5pts)
e). “Columbus’ voyage of discovery was a failure”. How far do you agree with this statement?
Explain your answer fully. (6pts)

2012
a). What is the meaning of the term, “Enterprise of the Indies”? (1pt)
b). Give THREE reasons for European voyages of exploration. (3pts)
c). Explain the contribution of Prince Henry the navigator to early voyages of exploration. (5pts)
d). Compare and contrast Columbus and Vasco Da Gama voyages of exploration. (5
e). “Christopher Columbus was more successful as an explorer than as an administrator” How far
do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer fully. (6pts)

2014
a). Name one Island on which Columbus landed in 1492. (1pts)
b). Name three countries explored by Columbus on his first voyage. (3pts)
 !16

c). Explain why it was important for Columbus to establish a trade route. (5pts)
d). Compare the Watling’s Island landfall theory to the Samana Cay landfall theory. (5pts)
e). “Cat Island was probably where Columbus first landed in 1492”. How far do you agree with
this statement? Explain your answer fully. (6pts)

2015
a). Name one Renaissance writer. (1pt)
b). Why were Renaissance writers called humanists? (3)
c). Explain why some Renaissance scientists were not accepted during this era. (5pts)
d). How similar was the impact of the printing press and scientific discoveries during the
Renaissance era? (5pts)
e). ‘The Renaissance helped to prepare Europe for western colonization.’ How far do you agree
with this statement? Explain your answer fully. (6pts)

THEME 2: EUROPEAN SETTLEMENT AND RIVALRY

ABBA
Spain. This meant a monopoly of trade
with her colonies and close control over
Reasons for the coming of the buying and selling by colonists. All goods
Europeans: produced in the New World had to be
exported to Spain and no other country.
1. They wanted to expand European Everything the Colonists bought had to be
imported from Spain itself and was carried
territory.
2. The Spanish wanted to out do the in Spanish ships.
Portuguese.
3. Columbus wanted to prove the 1. The Casa de Contratacion (The House
of Trade)
theory that the world is spherical
(round).
4. They wanted to gain wealth. To ensure full control of the New World, the
5. They wanted to obtain gold, precious Spanish government set up this “House of
Trade” at Seville. No other port could send
stones and spices.
6. Europeans wanted to spread ships to the Colonies. All ships arriving from
the Americas had to complete their journey
Christianity.
at Seville. Here Casa officials took one-fifth
of all precious metals as the king’s share and
The Spanish Monopoly System-Spain’s
charged custom duties on all other goods
way of controlling her colonies

1. The Casa was responsible for granting

The Spanish government believed that the
licenses or Asientos to foreigners who
wealth of its empire in the Americas
wished to ship goods to the Colonies. The
existed solely to increase the power of
 !17

African slave trade first began with an fought out just in Europe. Each country
asiento granted to Portuguese merchants. wanted to weaken its rivals by capturing
The Casa also maintained a school, to train their overseas bases and interrupting the
mapmakers, sailors and geographers and set flow of trading goods, silver and gold. In
up special courts to deal with disputes this way they could damage the rival’s
over trade. power in Europe.

2. Convoys and Castles- The government 2. The Reformation

in Spain took strong measures to defend the
treasure fleets. In 1543 ships passing to and In the second half of the Century, Spain’s
from the Americas were ordered to sail main commercial rivals were the English
convoys. In 1564 and 1566, new orders laid and the Dutch. Their quarrels with the
down the convoy pattern, which was Spanish had an additional cause. Both
followed for the next 150 years. There were became Protestants while Spain (like
two annual fleets. The first, the Flota, left France) remained Roman Catholic. The
Seville in April or May and sailed to the background to this change lay in the
West Indies where it divided. In August movement we call the ‘Reformation’. It
another fleet, the Galleones, sailed from began in Germany in the early sixteenth

ABBA
Seville. Part sailed to the Central American century when a priest, Martin Luther,
ports while the other ships went to South protested at some of the practices of the
America. Both the Flota and the Galleones Roman Catholic Church of his day. The new
reassembled in Havana in April or May. ideas about the Christian faith spread among
people in Germany, Switzerland and the
3. Guardas de Costas Netherlands. The Queen of England who
The Spanish also placed coastguards at was protestant herself supported the struggle
strategic points of the New World to protect of the Protestant Dutch people to free them
her territory from invaders such as: Pirates, from Spanish rule.
privateers, smugglers and illegal traders.
However this did not work because Spain 3. Revolt of the Netherland
did not have enough manpower to
effectively safeguard her territory. As a The Dutch people lived in some of the
result the invaders were able to claim provinces of the Netherlands or the Low
different territories. countries. Since 1519 the Kings of Spain
had ruled the Netherland. Their people were
Challenging Spain’s Monopoly far more experienced than the Spanish in
shipbuilding, sailing and trading. After a few
1. 16th Century Europe years the Dutch were managing the export to
other European country of the goods, which
Other European nations were prepared to came in to Seville from the Americas.
accept Spain’s claim to all the wealth from
the New World. After the discovery of trade When the Dutch refused to follow orders set
routes to the New World and the Indies, by the Spanish, they were executed. The
European power struggles were no longer most severe persecution was aimed at
 !18

protestant. Spain’s governor in the These problems forced the colonists to break
Netherlands closed their churches and had the Spanish regulations and trade with
the property of Protestant worshippers foreigners. Some of these were adventurers
seized. In 1572 a revolt broke out, led by the like Sir John Hawkins. By the end of the
Protestant Prince William of Orange. The 16th century, it was the Dutch who were the
struggle for independence lasted until 1609 busiest illegal traders. They found the
when the Dutch won their freedom. colonists eager to trade for goods that were
cheap and could be bought on easy terms.
4. Privateer and Traders The main thing they traded were salt, which
was used to preserve meat and to give flavor
In the 16th Century, European to fo
countries other than Spain had only small
fighting navies. When other European English rule over The Bahamas
countries tried to break the Monopoly
system, their government fitted merchant 1629 marked the beginning of English rule
ships with guns. They would also issue when England’ s Charles I granted The
letters of Marque to captains of merchant Bahamas to Sir Robert Heath, his
vessels. The letter gave authority to attack to Attorney General, but Sir Robert was unable
to meet the conditions of his charter.

ABBA
enemy ports and ships. Captains had to hand
over part of any booty to their government However, the first permanent settlement in
but they could sell the rest. The Bahamas was established by a group of
The advantage of the letter of English settlers known as the ‘ Eleutheran
Marque was that it gave the sailors the right Adventurers
to be treated as warriors not as pirates. If
their ships were captured they would be The Eleutheran Adventurers
made prisoners rather than hanged as
outlaws. Some important privateers were:
Francis Drake. Sir John Hawkins and
Hernan Cortez. During the seventeenth century, English
society had become split over religious
5. Illegal Traders beliefs. This was because the king became
Anglican and demanded that all men under
Europeans who wanted to carry out peaceful British rule worship as Anglican. Many
trade with the Spanish settlers were breaking people were extremely critical of the
the laws of the Spanish empire. Anglican Church. These individuals were
Yet the Spanish settlers often could not get known as Puritans because they believed the
the goods or slaves they wanted from the church needed to be purified.
Spanish traders. The convoy system made
the shortage of goods even worse as Those who supported the traditions
merchants could not send goods until one of of the Anglican Church were called
the two great fleets set sail from Seville. Royalists. The divisions within the Christian
church in England spilled over to the tiny
colony of Bermuda where each faction
 !19

fought to gain control of the government of Eleuthera was difficult to farm and many of
Bermuda. the colonists preferred to fish or survive off
the goods from the occasional wrecked ship.
Eventually the royalists gained Other problems arose from the way
control and began making life land was granted in the constitution. Not
uncomfortable for those who supported the only did it create grants far too large for the
Puritan's cause. At this point, the leader of island, but it also failed to create an equal
the Puritans in Bermuda, William Sayle, distribution of land itself.
suggested relocating to The Bahamas, a
British territory. In 1647, Sayle petitioned Laws under the Constitution
the British government and drafted up a
constitution called, "Orders and Articles of (1) Each original settler who paid 100
the Eleutheran Adventurers". pounds would receive 300 acres of land
and their slaves, 25 acres
(2) There was to be freedom of religion
The Arrival In The Bahamas (3) The colony was to be called a
"Republic"
In 1648, Sayle and 70 settlers,

ABBA
including 28 slaves, left Bermuda for The The constitution provided little
Bahamas. They are known as Eleutheran encouragement for individuals in England or
Adventurers. Unfortunately, their settlement Bermuda who might have otherwise been
plants were dealt a decisive blow when their interested in moving to The Bahamas. In
ship, "The William", hit a reef off the coast fact, the few settlers that came to The
of North Eleuthera and lost almost all of Bahamas after 1648 were prisoners from
their supplies and provisions. Bermuda who were forced to settle there as
part of their sentence.
They were forced to seek refuge in a
cave now called "Preacher's Cave", which They had failed, and Sayle had
got its name because it served as the first decided to return to Bermuda, where he
church for the Adventurers. Life was very served as a governor for a third time.
hard, and Sayle was forced to take a small However, before he did this he wrote a letter
dinghy and sail to America for additional to Lord Ashley Cooper, proprietor of the
supplies. He made two trips, one to Virginia Carolinas, asking him to take over the
and the second to New England where, in ownership of The Bahamas.
exchange for supplies, Sayle gave the
Braziletto wood that was used in the The Contributions Made by the
building of Harvard University's library. Eleutheran Adventurers

The Eleutheran Adventurers also (1) They brought the first constitution to
started new industries such as farming, The Bahamas.
wrecking, fishing and Ambergris. However, (2) They started a small-scale farming.
despite the supplies sent from New England, (3) They introduced the wrecking industry.
problems still persisted. For one, the land in
 !20

On the down side, the adventurers more honest ways of living and became the
introduced slavery to The Bahamas that governor of Jamaica.
persisted until it was abolished in 1838.
The Port Royal Earthquake

Buccaneers In 1692 a massive earthquake

Buccaneers were a group of men destroyed Port Royal, which as the
who came to the Caribbean from France, buccaneers' haven. Port Royal was built on a
England, and Holland. They got the name small island off the coast of Jamaica, in the
Buccaneer from the word boucan, which is harbor across from Kingston. A major part
the name of the grate on which they cooled of Port Royal was buried under the sea. As a
their slaughtered cattle. These buccaneers at result many buccaneers left the island.
one time lived by hunting cattle, but soon
the number of cattle decreased. The
buccaneers were drawn out of Hispaniola How Did They Live By a Strict Code of
where they lived by the Spanish. Honor?

They wore hats with small peaks and • They believed in no 'prey' no 'pay'. One

ABBA
without rims, and hog-skin boots without must work in order to eat.
socks. Their shirts were dipped • They shared all provisions and liquor.
in animal blood, and their pants were dirtier • Each person had the right to vote on
than their shirts. They wore leather belts important matters.
with swords, guns, knives, and cutlasses in • No one was allowed to eat until everyone
them. The Bahamas was chosen as a hideout was served.
because of its many reefs, channels, • If someone stole from the crew, their
protected harbors, and deserted islands. In punishment was death.
1692, Port Royal was destroyed in an
earthquake.

Henry Morgan
Reason Why the Buccaneers chose The
A famous buccaneer was Henry Bahamas.
Morgan. He attacked some of the richest and
strongest Spanish fortresses in the New • There was an earthquake in Jamaica,
World. In 1670 he organized an expedition which destroyed a large portion of their
to Panama - a Spanish stronghold, which territory, so they left the island.
had never been captured before. • There were many islands, channels, rocks,
and reefs where they could hide.
During one of his raids, he tried to • The governors were weak and corrupted
trick his crew in order to obtain a larger • The settlers did business with them.
share of the treasure. As a result, he had • It was close to the Spanish Main shipping
broken the code of honor, which ended his area, so it was easy to attack these vessels
career as a buccaneer. Later, he turned to as they passed by.
 !21

turning it over to the English.) The

punishment for a person convicted with
Piracy in The Bahamas piracy was hanging. Mary Read was
captured and sentenced to death by hanging.
Every Pirate had a set of articles. However, she died of a fever in prison
They were a set of rules that explained what before this could happen.
was to be done, how to behave on the ships,
and also a type of insurance for any Anne Bonny
crewmember that was injured. Pirate ships
sailed their own flag. It was called the "Jolly Anne Bonny was born in Ireland and
Roger". The pirate ship had a skull and two later moved to Carolina. While she was in
crossed bones on either a black or red Carolina, she secretly married a sailor in
background. Charles Town. When her father discovered
this, he disowned her. Finding that his new
Famous Pirates of the Caribbean wife was penniless, he departed one night
and never returned. She then met John
Some well-known pirates who came Rackham and joined his pirate crew. Anne
to The Bahamas were Edward Teach Bonny was sentenced to hang with John

ABBA
(Blackbeard), and Anne Bonney. They came Rackham. However, she was not hanged
to this area from England, France, and because she was pregnant. No one knows
Ireland. Other pirates included Charles what became of her.
Vane, Benjamin Hornigold and John Avery.

Mary Read Stede Bonnet

Mary Read was a woman that was Stede Bonnet was originally an army
raised as a boy. When she was older she ran officer and an unusual pirate. Although he
away from home to fight in wars in Europe. was an army officer, he never commanded a
Later, she stowed away on a ship headed for ship. Mary said that he became a pirate
the Caribbean. Pirates captured the ship. because his mind was unbalanced. Others
said that it was his wife that drove him to it.
Mary, always seeking adventure, Bonnet's ship was called "The Revenge". It
joined the pirate crew. The pirate crew that sailed into The Bahamas and plundered and
Mary joined was under the command of bummed the Caribbean Region as far north
Captain John Rackham (Calico Jack) as Virginia in the United States.

When the pirates were given a In 1718 Bonnet also accepted a

pardon from Woodes Rogers in 1718, Mary pardon from Woodes Rogers. Bonnet later
accepted the pardon. She became a privateer became known as Captain Thomas. He soon
and was sent to capture Spanish ships. When returned to piracy. His new ship was called
her crew had captured a Spanish ship, they the Royal James.
mutinied and became pirates again. (They
kept the treasure for themselves instead of
 !22

Bonnet had to stop in South Carolina In 1670, John Darrell and William
for repairs to his ship. Colonel Rhett heard Sayle wrote to The Lord Proprietors and
of this and went to capture him. The battle to suggested that they ask King Charles II to
capture Bonnet lasted five hours before he grant them ownership of the Bahama
surrendered. Bonnet escaped from prison, Islands. As a result, in 1670, King Charles
but he was later recaptured. Bonnet was granted a patent for the Bahama Islands to
hanged in 1718. He is known as the only six men. The grant to these men was known
pirate that actually made people 'walk the as the "Patent Roll."
plank'.
In essence, The Lord Proprietors
Blackbeard "rented" the islands from the King, which
gave The Lord Proprietors rights of taxation,
Blackbeard was perhaps the most trading, and privileges which included
famous of all pirates. His real name was appointing governors. The Lord Proprietors
Edward Teach. Teach was born in England also wanted to set up large plantations.
and came to The Bahamas as a privateer. In
1713, Teach joined Benjamin Hornigold's The primary purpose of The Lord
crew and became a pirate. In 1716 Proprietors taking over The Bahamas was to

ABBA
Blackbeard captured his own ship and m a k e m o n e y. H o w e v e r, T h e L o r d
named it the "Queen Anne's Revenge". Proprietors lacked interest in their new land,
Blackbeard's base for attacking the Atlantic and the period became known as "The Years
coast of North America was Nassau. Of Buccaneers And Pirates".

Blackbeard's appearance was

terrifying. He is described as being tall with The Lord Proprietors were:
a black beard that he tied with read ribbons.
He carried three pairs of pistols in holsters Christopher, Duke of Albemarle
around his shoulders. He would sometimes William, Earl of Craven
put wickers in his beard and light it on fire John, Lord Burkley
to put fear in the minds of his enemies. Anthony, Lord Ashley
Sir George Carteret
Blackbeard made a point of regularly Sir Peter Colleton
shooting his men so they would not forget
that he was in command. In 1718, The Lord Proprietors were required
Blackbeard died while he was fighting to to pay a rent of one pound of fine silver
prevent being captured. It is said that whenever the king of England visited the
Blackbeard fought although he had five island. However, he never did, nor did any
gunshot wounds and three sword wounds. of The Lord Proprietors. As a result, The
Lord Proprietors appointed Governors to
Proprietary Government rule the island for them.
(1670 - 1718)
Structure of Government
 !23

Governor's Council - Inclusive of five Council and publish laws. These were to
representatives of The Lord Proprietors be obeyed as long as they were in
accordance with English law.
The Assembly –This was inclusive of
twenty men by free holders. The Assembly
was to meet every two years unless The Proprietary Governors
emergencies arose
Hugh Wentworth (1671)
The Grand Council – This was inclusive of John Wentworth (1672)
five representatives of The Lord Proprietors. Charles Chillingworth (1676)
In this council, six were to form a majority, Robert Clarke (1680)
of which three had to be Proprietors Richard Lilburne (1682)
representatives. All acts went to Lord Thomas Bridges (1688)
Proprietors and if they approved, they Cadwallader Jones (1690)
became acts for 60 years. Nicholas Webb (1697)
Elias Haskett (1701)

The Power of the Proprietors

ABBA
Hugh Wentworth
(John Lake helped to draw up this
constitution) The first governor appointed by The
Lord Proprietors was Hugh Wentworth;
(1) The colonies were divided into countries however, he died before he arrived.
or baronies. John Wentworth
(2) Power to grant religious toleration.
(3) Ability to construct fort, raise a levy and John Wentworth had been a sea
make war on land or sea. caption and a pirate before he became the
(4) All lands were held directly for the first Proprietary Governor of The Bahamas.
Proprietors, they had the power to offer His responsibility was to enforce the laws
honors and titles. and regulation of the proprietors.
(5) They had control of the road and were
responsible for licenses to establish The seamen of New Providence did
ports and fix duties with the advise of not like control of any kind, especially
the freemen of the colony. Custom having to pay part of their earnings to The
duties belonged to the crown. Lord Proprietors. The seamen made a living
(6) The crown made laws subject only to by selling ambergris (a wax-like substance
the approval and advise of the freemen regurgitated by whales.) They rebelled
of the colony. The proprietors were to against authority and the Proprietors blamed
appoint a governor and his deputy. Wentworth. Therefore he was dismissed for
Freemen were to assemble periodically. not maintaining law and order and for not
(7) They had the authority to elect courts, looking after the proprietor's interests.
appoint judges and grant pardons. They
could issue a "reasonable" ordinance in Charles Chillingworth
 !24

About 150 men landed east of

Charles Chillingworth was John Charlestown (Nassau). When Clarke, who
Wentworth's successor. He became a was still on the island, along with others
proprietary Governor on July 1, 1676. went to check on the attack, they were
Chillingworth did not like the people and captured. Clarke was wounded when
tried to bring them to reason. he was put on captured and died while in captivity.
a ship and sent to Jamaica by the inhabitants
and was never heard from again. The Spanish burned much of the
town while Lilburne hid woods. A second
raid shortly after, completed the town's
destruction. Women, children, and slaves
Robert Clarke were taken to Havana.

Robert Clarke succeeded The people of Charlestown were too

Chillingworth sometime in 1680. By this poor to rebuild and they did no feel safe on
time, The Lord Proprietors were old men the island. They left and went to Jamaica
and had little interest in The Bahamas. One and Massachusetts. Many people were upset
of the ways Bahamians made a living was because Lilburne would not allow them to

ABBA
through wrecked goods. Spaniards would go after the Spanish. They were not allowed
send their own people to salvage goods from to defend the settlement against the Spanish
other Spanish ships that were wrecked. The because England was at peace with Spain.
Spanish regarded this as piracy and Governor Lilburne went home because there
retaliated by seizing ships, committing were no people or houses left in Charles
robberies, and taking Bahamian farmers to Town.
Havana as prisoners. Clarke commissioned
privateers (legal pirates) to destroy any Thomas Bridges
Spanish ships in Bahamian waters.
In 1686 new people came to Charles
England was very upset over this Town and it was again settled. This time
because this could endanger their peace with immigrants came from Jamaica, led by
Spain. Clarke was dismissed in 1682. Thomas Bridges. They began to make a
living from salt and wood from other
Richard Lilburne islands, ambergris from the beaches and
wrecked goods from the sea. Thomas
In 1682 Richard Lilburne replaced Bridges was made the next Proprietary
Clarke as governor of The Bahamas. A few Governor. A council of twelve men assisted
years later, Lilburne refused to punish a man him.
who had attacked a Spanish settlement in
Florida and had returned to New Cadwallader Jones
Providence. This action, along with Robert
Clarke's commission of privateers, led to an In June 1690, Cadwallader Jones
attack by the Spanish on January 18, 1684. became the next Proprietary Governor of
The Bahamas. He never did anything to
 !25

benefit the Lord Proprietors or the The Spanish and the French attacked
settlement. Jones sold gunpowder to the Nassau.
pirates and would not prosecute them for
any crimes they committed. He would put Reasons For the Failure of Proprietary
people in prison without a trial. Government

Jones forced the council to make his (1) The islands had many rocks, islands
bills into laws by aiming the guns of the and cays, which served as the perfect
ships at the council Chamber. Finally, the hideout for pirates.
people rebelled in January 1992 and put (2) The lord Proprietors had no interest
Jones in Jail. in the islands; in fact, they never
invested in the area and never visited
the island.
(3) T h e r e w e r e m a n y c o r r u p t e d
Nicolas Trott proprietary governors who promoted
piracy.
In January 1693, Nicholas Trott was (4) The Spanish constantly attacked the
named the proprietary governor of The islands as they tried to take revenge

ABBA
Bahamas. He was probably the best of all on the pirates.
the governors. Trott built a new fort for (5) The settlers accepted the pirates and
protection against the Spanish and he built a even did business with them.
new town. The new town was named
Nassau, in honor of William of Orange– Reasons Why the Pirates Used The
Nassau, who later became Prince William Bahamas As Their Base
III. In February 1697, Fort Nassau was
completed. It was equipped with 28 guns. (1) The Bahamas was close to the
Trott was dismissed because he was paid to Spanish’s main shipping route;
allow a pirate to land with stolen goods. hence, it was easy to attack these
ships as they passed.
Nicholas Webb (2) The Bahamas had many islands,
rocks, and keys, which provided
He was the ninth proprietary perfect hideout areas.
governor of the island. At this time (3) The governors were ineffective and
buccaneers came to the island in large often corrupted. e.g. Robert Clarke.
numbers. They also began to attack Spanish (4) The settlers encouraged the pirates.
vessels.

Elias Hasket

He took over from Webb in 1701. By

this time the fort was ruined and the pirates
had control over the island. In 1702 England Crown Colony Government (1718 - 1732
went to war with France, and Spain in 1703.
 !26

Although the pirates were in control of The his partners spent about £90,000 rebuilding
Bahamas, The Lord Proprietors still had the town and fort and maintain the soldiers.
their rights and ownership of the islands. Rodgers spent all of his salary plus his own
They really did not want to give up The savings. He finally had to borrow money to
Bahamas, but on October 28, 1717, they continue the rebuilding of Nassau.
surrendered their rights to the government of
England. However, they kept their In an effort to accomplish his goals,
ownership of the islands. Rodgers also offered the inhabitants paid
work and free land to farm. However the
The British government became pirates were poor workers. Either they
concerned about the safety of ships in The showed up late for work or they were drunk.
Bahamas because there was a significant Often, they did not show up at all. Slowly,
amount of pirates in the islands. In 1718, one by one they drifted to their old
Woodes Rodgers was appointed the first profession: piracy. About 100 pirates
Royal Governor of The Bahamas. Rodgers returned to piracy. Nassau was vulnerable to
was a former privateer who plundered the attack not just from the Spanish but also
Spanish in the America's and returned to from the pirates that were still in The
England with a fortune in prizes. Rodgers Bahamas. Rodgers sent ex-pirates to search

ABBA
arrived in Nassau on July 27, 1718, and for any pirate in the Colony. These pirates
brought with him ships, soldiers, cannons, were captured, taken to Nassau, and quietly
and settlers. Rodgers had to perform three put in jail. In November 1718, three pirates
main tasks upon arrival in Nassau. First and were sent to England for trial. In December
foremost, he had to take control of the 1718, Rogers decided to test his authority.
islands from the pirates by peaceful means Ten pirates were put on trial in Fort Nassau,
or otherwise. Second, he had to establish a found guilty, and sentenced to hang.
government. Third, he had to clean up Rodgers decided to hang them in public, but
Nassau. Rodgers also proclaimed the Royal at the last minute, one of the ten was
Pardon (An offer that pardoned those pirates reprieved. However, the others were hanged
who promised to give up piracy), declared without incident.
martial law, confiscated all ships in the
harbor, nominated a council of twelve, and Rodgers also set up a voluntary force
appointed various government officials. of men called a militia to guard against
Three hundred pirates accepted the Royal future attacks from pirates or the Spaniards.
Pardon. Eventually, disease killed many of the
soldiers brought from England. Rodgers
Rodgers met numerous problems in himself was in bad health. Although the
addition to the pirate problem. Fort Nassau English government appointed Rodgers, he
was in a poor state and was in need of repair was not supported. His frequent request for
and provided no defense in the event of a cash and supplies were not granted and he
Spanish attack. The city was a slum filled was forced to meet most of the expenses of
with garbage. The residential area of Nassau the Colony out of his own pocket.
was described as a "cesspool of humanity"
where disease was common. Rodgers and
 !27

In 1721, after two years and nine the colony. The problem with the cannons
months in Nassau, Rodgers returned to Phenney brought was that they were too
England. The two main reasons for his large and the fort could not support them.
return were to re-gain his health and to look He also encouraged the settlers to start
for more money. When Rodgers arrived in farming. However, Phenney had one
England, he was dismissed as the governor problem: his wife. She was described as a
and was put into debtor's prison because he hard-mouthed ambitious woman who
was unable to repay his debts. dominated and abused everyone she met.
Mrs. Phenney monopolized import and
Part of the reason Rodgers was not export trade of the the colony. She charged
an effective governor was due to the pirate the inhabitants very high prices for goods
problem. Pirates found it difficult to leave she sold and often forgot to pay for things
piracy and return to a normal life on land. she bought. George Phenney was dismissed
Rodgers did his best to rid The Bahamas of mainly because of his wife in 1729. Woodes
the pirate problem. Rodgers wanted to Rodgers then returned as Governor of The
p r o c l a i m E X P U L S I S , P I R AT I S , Bahamas.
RESTITUTIA, COMMERCIA.
Rodgers' Second Terms As Governor

ABBA
George Phenney's Term in Office
Wo o d e s R o d g e r s r e t u r n e d a s
When Rodgers returned to England governor of The Bahamas in 1729. He
in 1721, George Phenney replaced him. brought with him his son and daughter. His
When Phenney arrived, all was quiet in the wife remained in London. This time as
colony. There was no longer a problem with governor, Rodgers was given a salary of
pirates. New Providence had a population of £400 per year. This money was used to help
760. Eleuthera had 240 people and Harbor the settlement. New Providence had been hit
Island had 150 residents. The inhabitants by a hurricane and the island had been badly
made a living by selling wood, salt, wrecked damaged. During his second term as
goods, turtles and turtle shells. Many of the governor, Rodgers was responsible for
settlers brought by Rodgers were farmers, organizing the first House of Assembly, for
and they had been working hard to grow which 24 men were elected from the colony.
fruits. The goods were exported to England There were 16 men to represent New
and America. Providence, 4 men to represent Eleuthera
and 4 men to represent Harbor Island. The
Phenney introduced a new industry House of Assembly met for the first time on
to The Bahamas. He brought some women September 29, 1729.
from Bermuda to show Bahamian women
how to sew leaves from palm trees into One of the settlers brought by Rodgers in
baskets, mats and other items. This was the 1718, John Colebrooke, was chosen to be
beginning of the straw work industry in The speaker of the House. He became Rodgers'
Bahamas. Phenney brought some cannons enemy and opposed the Governor all the
with him to place in Fort Nassau. The time. Colebrooke tried to dominate the
Spanish had once again become a threat to Assembly and caused
 !28

some of the members to turn against should buy out The Lord Proprietors'
Rodgers. Rodgers tried to promote New ownership of The Bahamas. Rodgers never
Industries in The Bahamas. He tried to get saw this carried out because he died on July
sugar and cotton plantations established as 15, 1732. In 1733, England reached a
well as a shipbuilding industry. Slow settlement with the proprietors, but the
progress was made because few settlers ownership of The Bahamas was still not
were attracted to the poor colony. In 1732, fully settled.
Rogers recommended to England that they

Definition of terms

a. Asiento- License created by the Spanish to allow other European countries to trade
with her colony.
b. Piracy- The act of attacking and robbing ships at sea.

c. Buccaneer- Freeloaders preying on Spanish ships and settlements especially in the 17th
century.
d. ‘Boucan’- A grate on which the Buccaneers cooked their meat.

ABBA
e. Letters of Marque- These were government license authorizing a
person (privateer) to attack and capture enemy vessels.

f. Reformation- A religious movement in the 16th century that began as means of

reforming the Catholic Church.

g. Examine- Inspect something and someone thoroughly in order to determine their nature or
condition.

h. Discuss- A conversation or debate about a specific topic.

STUDY QUESTIONS- Theme: 2

2000
a). Who was the first Royal Governor of the Bahamas? (1pt)
b). State THREE reasons why Proprietary Government in The Bahamas failed. (3pts)
c). Explain why the pirates used The Bahamas as a base in the late 17th century. (5pts)
d). Explain the differences and the similarities between Crown Colony Government and
Proprietary Government. (5pts)
e). “The Spanish monopoly in the Caribbean was broken by the English, French and Dutch.”
Explain how this was done. (6pts
 !29

2001
a). What other country was a part of the Treaty of Tordesillas along with Spain? (1pt)
b). What was the “asiento” system? (3pts)
c). Explain the European policy of “no peace beyond the line”. (5pts)
d). Compare the roles of the Dutch and Spanish in The Americas. (5pts)
e). “Proprietary Government was a failure.” Do you agree with this statement? Explain your
answer. (6pts)

2002
a). Why did the Dutch first come to the Americas? (1pt)
b). How were the problems of piracy in The Bahamas overcome? (3pts)
c). Explain the effects of piracy on trade and settlement in the New World in the 17th century.
(5pts)
d). Explain why the French, English and Dutch were able to settle in the Lesser Antilles. (5pts)
e) “The Spanish mainland was very prosperous.” Explain how the Spanish tried to keep
foreigners out of trade with their colonies. (6pts)

ABBA
2004
a). Name the leader of the Eleutheran Adventurers. (1pt)
b). State THREE rights outlined in the Articles and Orders for the company of the Eleutheran
Adventurers. (3pts).
c). Explain why the Puritans left Bermuda to settle in The Bahamas. (5pts)
d). How similar were the conditions in The Bahamas before and during the period of Proprietary
Government? (5pts)
e). “ Proprietary Government was a success for The Bahamas.” Do you agree with this
statement? Explain your answer. (6pts)

2005
a). Name ONE Lord Proprietary. (1pt) 

b). State THREE reasons why Proprietary Government was established in The Bahamas. (3pts)
c). Explain why piracy thrived in The Bahamas. (5pts)
d). How far was Woodes Rogers more effective as Royal Governor that were the Proprietary
governors? Explain your answer. (5pts)
e). “Piracy was beneficial to The Bahamas.” Do you agree with this statement? Explain your
answer. (6pts)

2006
a). Name the treaty, which divided the world between Spain and Portugal. (1pt)
b). State THREE islands which the Spanish colonized. (3pts)
c). Explain why Spain was able to dominate the Americas from the mid-sixteenth to the
seventeenth centuries. (5pts)
 !30

d). How similar were the motives of the British and the French for challenging the Spanish
Monopoly? Explain your answer. (5pts)
e). “The breakdown of the Spanish monopoly was primarily due to Spain’s inefficiencies.” Do
you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. (6pts)

2007
a). Give the date for the introduction of Crown Colony Government to The Bahamas.
b). State THREE reasons why Rogers was respected by most pirates.
c). Explain why Crown Colony Government was introduced to The Bahamas.
d). How similar were the successes and failures of Rogers and Phenny’s terms in office? Explain
your answer.
e). “Crown Colony Government was successful in The Bahamas.” How far do you agree with
this statement? Explain your answer. (6pts)

2008
a). What might be considered legal grounds for an abortion in The Bahamas? (2pts)
b). List THREE pieces of advice a Christian might give to Michael and Sheena. (3pts)

ABBA
c). Discuss a biblical teaching, which suggests that abortion is wrong. (4pts)
d). Explain TWO different denominational views on abortion. (4pts)
e). ‘To take a life is never right!’ Do you agree or disagree? Discuss your view fully and give an
opposing view to show that you have thought about different points of view. (7pts)

2009
a). Name a proprietary governor. (1pt)
b). State THREE bodies that made up the structure of the Crown Colony Government. (3pts)
c). Explain why Proprietary Government was ineffective in The Bahamas. (5pts)
d). How similar in operation were the Crown Colony and Proprietary Governments in The
Bahamas? (5pts)
e). “Proprietary governors in The Bahamas had more challenges to face than the Crown Colony
Governors.” Explain your answer. (6pts)

2010
a). What is meant by the word Piracy? (1pt)
b). Why did pirates use The Bahamas as a base in the 18th century? (3pts)
c). Explain why The Bahamas was called the Pirate Republic in the 18th century. (5pts)
d). Compare the impact of the Pirates and Privateers on the Bahamian colony. (5pts)
e). “Pirates and Privateers had a positives effect on the development of the Bahamian colony
during the Proprietorship period”. Do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer fully.
(6pts)

2011
a). What was a privateer? (1pt)
 !31

b). Why did European governments support privateers in the West Indies? (3pts)
c). Explain why pirates used The Bahamas as a base in the 16th century. (5pts)
d). How did pirates and privateers have a similar effect on the Spanish Monopoly? (5pts)
e). “The Bahamian colony benefited from piracy”. How far do you agree with this statement?
Explain you answer fully. (6pts)

2012
a). In what year was the Bahamian House of Assembly first established? (1pt)
b). State THREE reasons for the success of the Crown Colony government in The Bahamas.
(3pts)
c). How was the Spanish Monopoly challenged by Non-Iberian Europeans countries? (5
d). Compare the challenges faced by the English and French Colonists in the 17th century. (5pts)
e). “Spain’s policy of the exclusivism led to the decline of the Spanish Empire.” To what extent
do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer fully. (6pts)

2014
a). Give the name of one crop that was cultivated by the English settlers. (1pt)
b). State THREE reasons why indentured servants were not successful as laborers. (3pts)

ABBA
c). Explain how Spain was able to protect her monopoly in the Caribbean. (5pts).
d). Compare the contribution of Thomas Warner with the work of Pierre D’ Esnambuc in the
eastern Caribbean. (5pts)
e). “The English settlers in the Bahamas had an easy task developing a new colony.” How far do
you agree with this statement? Explain your answer fully. (6pts)

2015
a). What was the name of the leader of the Eleutheran Adventurers? (1pt)
b). Why did the puritans migrate to Bermuda during the early 17th century? (3pts)
c). Explain why the Eleutheran Adventurers abandoned the islands of Eleuthera. (5pts)
d). How similar were the challenges the early English settlers faced compared to those faced by
the French settlers who settled in the Caribbean in the early 17th century? (5pts)
e). “ The Spaniards frequent attacks on The Bahamas prevented the islands from being settled
during the late 17tth century.” How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer
fully. (6pts)

THEME 3- THE AMERICAN-BAHAMIAN CONNECTION

Revolution) And The Arrival Of the

The American War of Independence (The Loyalists
American
In order to fully comprehend why the
Loyalists migrated to The Bahamas, it is
important to discuss the causes of the
 !32

American War of Independence. The causes Independence.

of this war are complex. By the 1770's many b. Taxation without Representa-
Americans became tired of being under -tion.
British rule. The people of America resented c. The Boston Tea Party
the British interference in their internal d. The Boston Massacre
affairs in matters such as trade, taxation,,
and business. Causes of the war:

In fact, numerous laws were passed 1. Independence- The colonists were tired
by Britain in an attempt to tighten their of being under the control of the British
control over the colonies in America. For Government. They wanted to establish their
example, the Stamp Act was passed in 1765. own government where they could make
This act stated that everything must have a their own laws to govern themselves. They
stamp attached to it, for example, legal were also tired of Britain taking all of their
documents, pamphlets and diplomas. The resources. They wanted their Independence.
British further aggravated the Americans by
passing laws to impose import duties on tea, 2. Taxation without representation- The
paint, lead and glass. The purpose of such colonist felt that England was making all the

ABBA
acts was to raise revenue for the British decisions about their region without having
government. anyone from the colonies to represent them
or speak on their behalf in Parliament.
The various taxes/Acts imposed on the 13
colonies were: 3. Boston Tea Party (1773)- (Initially
a. The Stamp Act (1767) referred to by John Adams as “ the
b. The Tea Act (1773) Destruction of the tea in Boston”) was a
c. The Townshend Acts (1767) political protest by the Sons of Liberty in
d. The Sugar Act (1764) Boston. This was the day that protestors,
e. The Navigational Acts (1651, 1660 & some dressed up as Indians to disguise
1663) themselves, boarded a ship that was carrying
f. The plantation Act tea. The punched holes into the crates of tea
and threw the tea into the Boston harbor.
Examples of the 13 Colonies This was to protest against Britain for
placing taxes on tea. As a result the
Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Intolerable Act was passed, which were a
Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts Bay, series of Acts to punish the colonists for
Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, their action.
Virginia, New York, North Carolina, and
Rhode Island

The Causes of the American war of

Independence were:

a. The 13 colonies wanted there

 !33

The rebels won the war and got their

independence. The Loyalists were labeled as
traitors and treated poorly by the rebels. For
example, thousands of Loyalists were
deprived of their civil rights, preventing
them from earning a living and were
banished from the land of their birth. The
Loyalists in the northern part of America
! went into Canada, which was still under
British rule, and those in the southern part
4. The Boston Massacre- The incident went into The Bahamas. It is also important
occurred on March 5, 1770, when Britain to examine the effects of the American War
sent soldiers to Boston to maintain peace in of Independence on The Bahamas.
the area as the colonist were protesting
against the Townshend Act (tax on paint, Fighting began in April 1775, when
glass, paper etc.). On this day a group of the Americans opened fire on troops sent by

ABBA
boys began throwing snowballs at a Sentry the British General Gage to confiscate
(British soldier). The Sentry was also called supplies stored at Concord, Massachusetts.
names such as: Redcoat and Lobster back Then, in March 1775, from a fleet of six
(they wore red coats as a part of their ships commanded by Ezekiel Hopkins, 220
uniform). He struck one of the antagonists men formed a Marine Corps and 50 soldiers
with his riffle and a mob came down on him. landed on eastern New Providence,
Other soldiers came to his rescue but they somewhere around Fox Hill Creek. They
could not contain the mob. They fired their advanced on Fort Montague, captured it, and
guns into the crowd killing 6 people and occupied it for two weeks.
injured many.
When Governor Browne (governor
The Americans reacted with of Nassau at the time) realized that the
boycotts. Therefore, in 1770, Parliament Americans were after ammunition, he
withdrew all duties except those on tea. As a loaded the supplies on a fast schooner at
result, the colonists rejected Britain's night and shipped them out of the colony.
attempt to levy taxes. Governor Browne was taken prisoner, but
In 1776, America declared its otherwise, the attackers who enjoyed life in
independence from England. The people in Nassau did little. The Spanish joined the
America were divided into two groups. On Americans, causing New Providence to
one side were the Rebels, or the Whigs, come under attack from its old enemy. The
who wanted political separation from Treaty of Paris in 1783 ended the
Britain, and the Loyalists or Tories, who American War of Independence.
wanted to remain loyal to England. They
suffered persecution because of this. Reasons why the Loyalists came to the
Bahamas
 !34

This was not possible because The Lord

* After the rebels won the War of Proprietors still held ownership of the
Independence, they began to mistreat the islands. After several large sums of money
Loyalists because they were seen as traitors. were paid to The Lord Proprietors, title to
They lost their jobs, houses and businesses. The Bahamas was finally given to England.
The rebels eventually drove the Loyalists This matter was finally settled in 1787.
out of the U.S.
Each head of a Loyalist family was
* The Bahamas was close in proximity to given 40 acres of land. An additional 20
The U.S., so it was easy for these Loyalists acres was given to every other member of
to come to move to the region. the family. This caused a land rush in the
islands. The Loyalists searched the islands
* The Bahamas was still a British colony looking for good farmland. When suitable
and the Loyalist wanted to remain under land was located, huts were built for slaves,
British rule and they knew that the British and manors were built for the owners of
would help them. managers.

* The climatic conditions were favorable Contributions of the Loyalists

ABBA
for the Loyalists to continue with their
cotton plantations. (1) The climate of The Bahamas was
suitable for growing cotton. Since most of
The Arrival of the Loyalists the Loyalists were cotton farmers, they
began to establish a number of cotton
A famous Loyalist was colonel plantations. The cotton grew quickly and
Andrew Deveaux living in East Florida. In well and as a result, thrived, and The
April 1783, 62 Loyalists led by Colonel Bahamas enjoyed a period of prosperity. By
Andrew Deveaux sailed out of St. Augustine 1778 there were 128 large cotton plantations
to Harbors Island and North Eleuthera, and many more spread throughout The
where they recruited and trained 170 locals Bahamas.
and took some of their vessels. When the Disaster struck the cotton
Loyalists arrived in Nassau, there were two plantations in 1789 when almost the entire
main problems: (1) there was a lack of crop of cotton was destroyed. The Chenille
shelter and (2) the lack of food. Worm destroyed much of the crop while the
Red Dye Bug discolored the cotton. Over
However, the arrival of the Loyalists the next few years, the damage was not as
significantly impacted The Bahamas. The great. In this time a new problem had arisen.
population of The Bahamas was tripled and The soil in The Bahamas was very shallow
blacks outnumbered whites 3 to 1. and the nutrients that the cotton plants
Settlements were made for the first time on needed to grow were taken out and not
Crooked Island, Long Island, Exuma, replaced. The cotton plantations began to die
Andros, Abaco, and Cat Island. They out and by 1830 almost all the cotton
suggested that the British Government farmers were gone.
should give land in The Bahamas to them.
 !35

(2) The religious life of the community allowing for check on members of
grew, the town of Nassau was greatly Government.
developed as the cultural life improved. In One of loyalists was John Wells, who
1796, Joseph Paul established a Wesleyan brought with him his printing press and
church, and in 1800, a Methodist church started Nassau's first newspaper called, "The
opened as well as a Baptist chapel. In 1802, Bahamas Gazette". The Gazette was
St. Matthew's Anglican Church was built. In published in 1784.
fact, the Anglican Church was given a
permanent base in The Bahamas. (6) Abaco, especially Man O' War Cay,
was well-known for boatbuilding - a skill
(3) The new churches provided Sunday brought by the early settlers from New
Schools; thus education increased. England.

(4) The present Government House was (7) Additionally, streets were built, as
constructed by 1806 for £10,000 well as a new jail, and a police force was
started.
(5) The buildings around Parliament
Square: the Assembly, the Council and the (8) Surnames such as Dean, Forbes,

ABBA
Court were built between 1803 and 1812. Rolle, Johnson, Adderly, Curry, Fox,
There was also the development of the Ferguson, Bowe, Russell and Culmer can be
parliamentary system based on the west traced back to these refugees from.
minister pattern of government found in
Britain. There was also a clear relationship
between The Bahamas and Britain; hence,
The American Civil War (1861 – 1865)

2. Jefferson Davis - He was the leader of
the Southern States - He did not want to end
slavery.

What is a Civil War?

Causes of the War
A civil war is a war fought between two
(1) John Brown's attack on Harpers’
groups in the same country.
Ferry
In America, the civil war was between the
Brown was an abolitionist who made
Northern (Federals/Union) and Southern
many attempts to free the blacks. He, along
States (Confederates).
with some followers, broke into the Federal
arsenal to steal guns and arm the slaves so
The Leaders During this War
they could free themselves. However, he
was captured, tried and found guilty. He was
1. Abraham Lincoln - Leader of the
later put to death by hanging.
Northern states - He wanted to end slavery.
 !36

Excellent generals such as Robert E. Lee

(2) Uncle Tom's Cabin and Stonewall Jackson fought for the
confederates.
Harriet Beecher Stowe, who was a
woman from New England, wrote a novel Other Events
entitled, Uncle Tom’s Cabin. In this book,
she described how an old, kind-hearted On April 19, 1861, the North set up a
slave, named Uncle Tom was mistreated by blockade of all seaports in the South. Some
his master. This made the northerners of the major ports were Wilmington,
sympathetic to the slaves in the south, but Savannah and Charleston. The area involved
the southerners were furious. stretched from Virginia, around the Florida
Peninsula, and then west to Mexico.
(3) Slavery
Slavery is an act of forced labor, in The Blockade and Blockade Running
which people are considered to be the
property of others. The Northern States The blockade was a barrier that
hated slavery and wanted to end it, however prevented the impartation of manufactured
the Southern Sates had many plantations and foreign goods that would help in the War.

ABBA
needed the cheap labor to maintain them.
Blockade running is the illegal
transportation of goods such as:
(4) The Dred Scott Case ammunition, medicine, clothing and guns
In 1857, a slave named Dred Scott into the Southern States while the Southern
from Missouri was taken to the Northern States provided rum, molasses, cotton and
States where all blacks were free. While he sugar.
was living there, he was considered a free
man for many years. Later, he moved back The Boats Used During the Blockade
home with his former master. His master
later died, and the whites wanted him to Soon a specially designed boat was
return to a life of slavery. He refused, and used to run the Blockade. It was a fast
filed a lawsuit. steamer with a shallow drought and low
profile. It burned smokeless coal and was
The Events of the Civil War painted grey or black. These boats were
called, "Banshee", "Siren", and "Eagle", and
On April 12, 1861, the Confederates together they were called "Greyhound".
(Southern States) opened fire and war
began. The Northern States were far more The Bahamas Involvement in The War
superior to the South in terms of men. The
North had 22 million men while the South The Bahamas was used as a center to
only had 9 million men. The North also had store goods coming from Britain and the
more money, manufacturers goods, and a Southern ports. The Bahamas also
better leader (Abraham Lincoln). Jefferson transported goods to the Southern ports.
Davis was leader of the Confederates.
 !37

The Benefits of the War on The Bahamas What Was the Name of the Act That
Made Prohibition Legal?
(1) The Bahamian treasury was filled.
(2) The Bahamian government was able to On January 1920, the 18th
clear its debts. amendment to the U.S. Constitution, along
(3) Warehouses were constructed to store with the Volstead Act made prohibition
the goods. legal. The Volstead Act was named after its
(4) Salaries from Bahamians increased. author, Andrew Volstead.
(5) Streetlights and sidewalks were erected.
(6) Shops were constructed. People who supported drinking
(7) The Royal Victoria Hotel was completed during prohibition were known as the "The
in 1861. Wet", and those who were against it were
known as the "Dry"
The Disadvantages of The War on The
Bahamas Tw o M o v e m e n t s T h a t S u p p o r t e d
Prohibition
During this period, spies and criminals
visited the islands, which led to an increase 1. The Anti-Saloon League - This group

ABBA
in crime. was made up of Women, Politicians and
Ministers. These supporters were known
Due to the fact that so many people were as the "Dry". They claimed that alcohol
visiting the island, diseases also increased. and drunkenness was the root of many
evils including crime and poverty.
Prohibition and Bootlegging 2. The Women's Christian Temperance
1919 - 1933 Union - They believed that alcohol and
kindred narcotics are, by nature,
Prohibition is the ban placed on the outlaws. They wanted to ban alcohol
sale, purchase, manufacture, and altogether because there was a strong
transportation of alcoholic beverages over correlation between drinking and
0.5% in the U.S. domestic violence.

The bootleggers used small boats

Arguments To Support Prohibition and planes to traffic goods into the U.S. The
small boats made two trips per day but
1. Wives complained that husbands were carried more cargo, while the small planes
coming home drunk and would abuse could make several trips in a day. However,
the family. they could only carry a small amount of
2. The church saw drunkenness as an evil cargo.
act.
3. The men spent all their money at the Organized Crime
bars, hence their families were Prohibition, intended in part to
constantly living in poverty. reduce crime, instead helped to produce a
huge crime wave across America. Bribing
 !38

government officials was common, and • Accidents

people were increasingly crafty in the way • Reduction in Production
they would hide alcohol such as hollowed
out canes, false books and hip flask. Bribery Agents Who Fought to Put an End to
and intimidation protected them from the Bootlegging
local police and politicians or from rival
gangs. Also, a lot more gangs came about Even though many police officers
during this period. These gangs were also and politicians were in the pay of Al
guilty of racketeering- This is changing of Capone, there were still a lot of decent and
illegal money from hand to hand. honest agents who worked tirelessly to get
rid of crime and violence in the U.S.
Bootleggers (people who smuggled alcohol
across the country) became very wealthy. The Benefits of Bootlegging In The
However, This was a serious and risky Bahamas
business. Al Capone, the greatest bootlegger
of all time, was the mastermind behind the • A few Bahamian merchants became
St. Valentines Day Massacre. millionaires during this period.
• Ordinary people received an increase in

ABBA
Bootleggers wages.
Bootleggers smuggled huge quantities of • The treasury was filled.
alcohol across thousands of miles. • The government cleared their debt.
Thousands of speakeasies (illegal bars) • An electricity plant was improved on.
opened across the country. • Prince George Wharf was built in Nassau.
• A city water and sewage system was
The Bad Effects of Alcoholic Drink installed in Nassau.

• Damage to the Heart and Liver

• Increase in Poverty
• Crime and Violence
*** The 18th Amendment of the American constitution effectively established the prohibition of
alcoholic beverages.

Definition of Terms

1. Independence- Not influenced or controlled by others in authority.

2. Rebel- A person who rises in opposition or armed resistance against an established

government or leader.

3. Loyalist- A person who remains loyal to the established ruler or government, especially in the
face of a revolt.
 !39

4. Civil War- A war between two groups in the same country.

5. Blockade – The act of putting up a barrier to prevent the entrance or exit of

someone or something.

6. Blockade Running- The illegal transportation of goods such as: tobacco, sugar, cotton
into the Southern States.
7. Prohibition- Prohibition is the ban placed on the sale, purchase, manufacture, and
transportation of alcoholic beverages over 0.5% in the U.S.

8. Bootlegging- The illegal transportation of alcoholic beverages into the U.S.

9. Organized Crime- This is an illegal activity of money laundering done by the mafia.

2000
ABBA STUDY QUESTIONS- THEME 3

a). Who was the first Royal Governor of the Bahamas? (1pt)
b). State THREE reasons why Proprietary Government in The Bahamas failed. (3pts)
c). Explain why the pirates used the Bahamas as a base in the late 17tth century.
(5pts).
d). Explain the differences and the similarities between Crown Colony Government and
Proprietary Government. (5pts)
e). “ The Spanish monopoly in the Caribbean was broken by the English, French and Dutch.”
Explain how this was done. (6pts)

2001
a). With whom did the 13 colonies fight? (1pt)
b). State THREE reasons why the American colonies went to war in the 1770s. (3pts)
c). Explain the changes made by the Loyalists in the area of agriculture. (5pts)
d). Compare the development of the Bahamas in the 1770s with its development in the 1860s.
(5pts)
e). “ The Loyalists transferred their way of life to The Bahamas.” Do you agree with this
statement? Explain your answer. (6pts)

2002
a). Who created the Blockade of 1861? (1pt)
 !40

b). What were the effects of the Civil War on the USA? (3pts)
c). Explain the purpose of the Blockade. (5pts)
d). Compare the relationship between the USA and The Bahamas during Blockade
Running and Prohibition. (5pts)
e. “ Nassau was truly an El Dorado (riches, wealthy) for the blockade runners”. Explain why
this statement may have been true. (6pts)

2003
a). Who was the president of the Confederacy during the American Civil War? (1pt)
b). State THREE causes of the American Civil War. (3pts)
c). Explain how The Bahamas benefited from the Civil War. (5pts)
d). Explain how ships were especially made for running the blockade. (5pts)
e). “ The Civil War in America affected every aspect of Bahamian life.” Do you agree with this
statement? Justify your answer. (6pts)

2004
a). In which year was the Volstead Act passed? (1pt)
b). State THREE reasons given by the Temperance Movement for the prohibition of alcoholic

ABBA
beverages. (3pts).
c). Explain how Bahamians smuggled alcohol to the United States during the Prohibition era.
(5pts)
d). Compare the impact of the Loyalists on New Providence with that on the Family Islands.
(5pts)
e). “ The contributions which the Loyalists made to The Bahamas have no impact on the lives of
Bahamians today.” Do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. (6pts)

2005
a). Give the name of the first Bahamian newspaper. (1pt)
b). State THREE reasons why the Loyalists came to The Bahamas. (3pts)
c). Explain how Colonel Andrew Deveaux recaptured New Providence for the British in 1783.
(5pts)
d). How far did the Loyalists change Bahamian society? Explain your answer. (5pts)
e). “ Bootlegging ushered in many positive changes for the Bahamas.” Do you agree with this
statement? Explain your answer. (6pts)

2006
a). Name the treaty, which ended the American War of Independence. (1pt)
b). State THREE reasons why the Americans went to war with the British in 17775. (3pts).
c). Explain how the blockade affected the Southern States during the American Civil War. (5pts)
d). How similar were the two American attacks on The Bahamas during the American War of
Independence? Explain your answer. (5pts)
e). “ The American Civil War benefited The Bahamas more than the American War of
Independence.” Do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. (6pts)
 !41

2007
a). Give the name of the leader of the Southern States during the American Civil War. (1pt)
b). State THREE reasons why the British did not fully support the Northern States during the
American Civil War. (3pts)
c). Explain how the geographical location of the Bahamas aided bootleggers. (5pts).
d). How similar were the effects of Blockade Running and Bootlegging on the Bahamas
economy? Explain your answer. (5pts)
e). “The Bahamas was justified in its participation in the Blockade running and bootlegging”.
How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. (6pts)

2008
a). In which year did the American War of Independence begin? (1pt)
b). List THREE types of the taxes imposed on the colonies by the British Parliament. (3)
c). Explain why Britain tightened its control over the American colonies. (5pts)
d). Compare and contrast the effects of the American war of Independence and the American

ABBA
Civil War on the Bahamas. (5pts)
e). “ Colonists were justified in declaring independence from Britain.” How far do you agree
with this statement? Justify your answer. (6pts)

2009
a). Who were the Loyalists? (1pt)
b). State THREE reasons why the Loyalists chose to come to The Bahamas. (3pts).
c). Explain why the Loyalists faced problems after they had settled in The Bahamas.(5)
d). How similar were the problems of the Eleutheran Adventurers and Loyalists during their
colonization of the Bahamas? (5pts)
e). “ The impact of the Loyalists in The Bahamas was a beneficial one” Do you agree with this
statement? Explain your answer. (6pts)

2010
a). State one reason for the American War of Independence. (1pt)
b). Why did the American War of Independence have an effect on The Bahamas? (3pts)
c). Explain why the Loyalists chose to settle in The Bahamas. (5pts)
d). To what extent was Bahamian society changed after the arrival of the Loyalists?
e). “ The late 18th century was a turning point in The Bahamian history.” Do you agree with this
statement? Explain your answer fully. (6pts)
 !42

2011
a). What activity does the word bootlegging refer to? (1pt)
b). Why did the U.S. government pass the Volstead Act? (3pts)
c). Explain the changes that took place in the Bahamas as a result of Prohibition and
Bootlegging. (5pts)
d). Compare the development of the Bahamas in the 1860s with its development in the 1920s.
(5pts)
e). “ The Smuggling of rum into the United States during the prohibition period did more harm
than good to the Bahamian society.” How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your
answer. (6pts)

2012
a). Name the president of the confederate union of America. (1pt)
b). State THREE reasons why the Southern States of America decided to secede. (3pts)
c). Explain the effectiveness of the Union blockade of the Confederate states. (5pts)

ABBA
d). How similar was the effect of the American Revolution and the American Civil War on the
social, political and economic development of the Bahamas? (5pts)
e). “ The American Civil war was caused by a struggle for economic power between the
Northern and Southern States”. To what extent do you agree with this statement? Explain your
answer fully. (6pts)

2014
a). Who was the first President of the United States of America? (1pt)
b) Give the names of THREE coercive Acts of Parliament passed by King George III. (3pts)
c. Explain how the settlers were able to stop the Americans from invading The Bahamas during
the Americans War of Independence. (5pts).
d). Compare the impact of the Loyalists with that of the Bootleggers in The Bahamas.
e). “ Bootlegging was a missed blessing for The Bahamians.” How far do you agree with this
statement? Explain your answer fully. (6pts)

2015
a). What was the 18th Amendment of the United States Constitution called? (1pt)
b). Why were speakeasies created throughout the United States? (3pts)
c). Explain why The Bahamas became involved in Bootlegging. (5pts)
 !43

d). How similar were the roles of Blockade Runners in the late 19th century to those of
bootleggers in the early 20th century. (5pts)
e). “ Prohibition had a negative impact on the socio-economic development of the Bahamas.” Do
you agree with this statement? Explain your answer fully. (6pts)

THEME 4: SLAVERY IN THE BAHAMAS

AFRICA BEFORE THE COMING

OF THE EUROPEAN Ghana was the first of the great West
African kingdoms, which flourished from
The people of West Africa had a rich and around the 7th-13th century. Ghana got its
varied history and culture long before the name from the king’s title who was
European arrival to that region. They had a “Ghana”. The king was able to enforce laws
large variety of political systems, which through tributary princes (who were
included kingdoms such as Ghana, Mali and traditional chiefs from the clan). The
Songhai, City-States and other Ghanaian kings also imposed an import-

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organizations, each with their own export tax on traders and a production tax on
languages and culture. gold, which was the country’s most valuable
commodity.
Art, learning and technology flourished and
Africans were especially skilled in areas Arab merchants travelled to Ghana by
such as medicine, mathematics and Camel caravan from North Africa to trade
astronomy. They made fine luxury items in salt, copper, clothing, iron tools and figs.
bronze, ivory, gold and terracotta for both The Arabs traded their goods for gold,
local use and trade. slaves, ivory, jewelry and leather goods.
Only gold dust could be used in trade.
The Trans-Sahara slave trade began around Nuggets became the property of the king.
800 A.D. and the empires of Ghana, Mali The gold trade was mainly responsible for
and Songhai became very powerful because the development of Ghana into a powerful
of this slave trade. This slave trade was seen kingdom.
as quite rewarding but also dangerous
because there were times when a whole In 1042 AD Arabs from North Africa started
caravan (group of people transported) died a war against Ghana. They destroyed the
in the desert and also the journey was capital and made Ghana give them tribute
tedious, especially for the unfortunate (payment by one ruler to another). In 1054
slaves. AD, the Almoravids rulercame south to
conquer the kingdom of Ghana and convert
the people to Islam. It was at this time that
KINGDOMS OF WEST AFRICA Ghana was taken over by Mali.

1. The Ghanaian Kingdom (Ghana) 2. The Malian Kingdom(Mali)

 !44

empire bore the name as its leading ethnic

Mali was the second West African Kingdom. group, the Songhai. Its capital was the city
This empire emerged around the early 13th- of Goa, where a Songhai state had existed
late 15th century. Mali was built off the since the 11th century.
monopolization (full control over) of the
trade routes from areas of Africa. The most The first emperor of Songhai was Sonni Ali,
important control was the “Gold Trade”. reigning from about 1464 to 1493. Like the
The Malians lived in an agriculturally fertile Mali Kings before him, Ali was a Muslim.
land. The Territory controlled by Mali In the late 1460s, he conquered many of
comprised of three regions: the Senegal Songhai’s neighboring states, including what
region, the central Mande and Gao. remained of the Mali Empire. He quickly
established himself as the empire’s most
Mali rose to greatness under the leadership courageous military leader and conqueror.
of a legendary King Sundiata, the “Lion This empire grew much larger than the
King”. Later another great leader named previous empires and this was also one of
Mansa Musa extended the empire. Mali was the reasons for its decline. During his
known for their center of trade which was campaigns for expansion, Ali conquered
located at Timbuktu where people came many lands, repelling attacks from Mossi to

ABBA
from all over Africa to study religion, the south and overcoming the Dogon people
science and trade. They were also rich in to the north.
gold, agricultural produce, weaving and
slavery. Songhai was famous for its progress in
education, a uniform system in weights and
The most significant of the Mali Kings was measures and the improvement in banking
Mansa Musa (1312-1337) who expanded and credit procedures. However it was these
Mali’s influence over the Niger City –States riches of gold that encouraged the
of Timbuktu, Gao, and Djenne. He was a Moroccans to invade them. These
devout Muslim who built magnificent Moroccans took control of Timbuktu, which
mosque all throughout the Mali sphere and was a great center of learning. The Kingdom
his gold-laden pilgrimage (Hajj) to Mecca was also weaken by internal conflicts and
made him an even more popular person. eventually went into decline.
After Mansa Musa died, his sons took over
but they were weak rulers and it was not Ways in which Africans were made slaves
difficult for the King of Songhai to invade
Mali and take over. 1. They were made slaves as a
punishment for crimes they
3. The Kingdom of Songhai/Songhay committed.
2. They sold themselves and family
The Songhai Empire, also known as the into slavery during periods of severe
Songhai Empire, was a state located in famine to prevent death by
Western Africa. From the early 15th to the starvation.
late 16th century, Songhai was the largest 3. They were captured during tribal
Islamic empire in West African history. The raids.
 !45

4. They were captured when the b). The period in which they were on
Europeans attacked them. contract to work was too short.
5. They were made slaves as a payment c). They were not use to the tropical climate
for debt that they owed and as such they died from heat stroke.
d). They were immune to the tropical
Reasons Africans were chosen as slaves
diseases.
1. They were used to hard work from e). They sometimes became frustrated and
back home in Africa. run away to become buccaneers.
2. They could be obtained in large
numbers. West African Tribes
3. They were used to the tropical 1. Dahomey Tribe
climate. 2. Mandingo Tribe
4. They were’ immune to the tropical 3. Congo Tribe
diseases. 4. Ibo Tribe
5. They were physically strong. 5. Ashanti Tribe
6. It was a means to convert them to 6. Yoruba Tribe
Christianity.
7. Slavery already existed in Africa.

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Three West African Kingdoms
1. Ghana
In the beginning the Spanish used the 2. Mali
Encomienda System to enslave the 3. Songhai
Arawaks. This source of labor failed
because the Arawaks were limited in
numbers and were not used to hard work or THE CAPTURE OF SLAVES
the European diseases. They also tried to use
the Caribs but they were too fierce to The slaves were often captured in tribal
enslave. raids. Most times boys and men between the
ages of 16 and 40 were sought. Old people,
Indentured Servants/Bondservants women and children, if not killed in the raid,
were left behind with no one to do the
They decided to use poor people from farming or other heavy tasks.
Europe. They were called “Indentured
Servants”. The poor Europeans would be Those captured were marched to the coast.
encouraged to sign contracts to work for five The journey to the coast would usually
to eight years in the Caribbean in exchange cover 200miles. The slaves were gathered in
for land and money after the period of a caravan or coffle usually one behind the
indentured was completed. other. They were often shacked by their
arms and sometimes their necks. People who
Why did the Indentured Servant period slowed down the caravan due to injury or
failed? illness were left by the wayside to die.
a). They could not be obtained in large Speed was very important because most
numbers.
 !46

times the captains were already there and

waiting at the coast for his precious cargo.

When the slaves finally reached the coast,

they were placed in a temporary holding
facility known as “Barracoon”. It was here
that the ship’s surgeon carefully examined
them. After checking their eyes, teeth, and !
lips, those who were fit were branded with a
hot iron. After the slave ship (slaver) was fully loaded
with human cargo (slaves), the ship was then
ready to sail across the Atlantic Ocean. This
journey was known as the ‘Middle Passage”.
When the ship arrived in the Americas, they
visited ports such as Kingston in Jamaica,
Bridgetown in Barbados and Haiti. Here
they traded the slaves for agricultural goods
such as Sugar, cotton, tobacco, coffee, rum

ABBA
and molasses. The ship was then loaded with
these goods for the homeward journey back
! to Europe. With the ship safely back in
A Barracoon Europe, the Triangular trade started all over
again.

THE TRIANGULAR TRADE_

THE MIDDLE PASSAGE
William Hawkins started the Triangular
Trade in the 1530s. He was the father of Sir The middle passage was described as the
John Hawkins. He was an English man. most horrific part of the Triangular Trade.
The famous slave trade was one side of the The Slaves were packed into the lower
triangle linking Europe, West Africa and The decks ‘like books on a shelf’. Men, women
Americas. This is known as ‘the triangle of and children were chained closely together.
trade’, “the Triangular Trade”, or in full ‘the On these overcrowded slavers there was
Triangle of trade of the North Atlantic’. The constant danger of death and diseases and
ship would leave ports such as Liverpool in even though there were doctors on each
England, Nantes in France and Middleburg slaver, they could not do anything to stop
(all located in Europe). They transported epidemics. The slaves were brought up once
goods such as Iron bars, firearms and a day for exercise, which consisted of
clothing to ports such as Cape coast, Goree dancing or just jumping up and down on the
or Lagos in West Africa. These spot to restore their circulation.
manufactured goods were later exchanged
for African slaves.
 !47

The death rate among slaves during the

middle passage varied a lot from one period
of the slave trade to another. Deaths could
take place for a wide variety of reasons:

1. Disasters at sea: The ship could be lost

in a storm, seized by pirates, or run out of
! food and water. The Danish slaver named
‘Kronprintzen was lost in a storm in 1706
Conditions on the ship were deplorable. The and all-820 slaves on board drowned. Also
slaves were packed like sardines in a tin. A in1738 a Dutch ship ‘Leuden’ ran aground
place about six feet wide was allowed for a off Surinam. The crew escaped, leaving 700
male while there was less space for a slaves locked below decks to drown as the
female. The slaves had to pass their waste ship sank.
right where they lay. Sometimes a bucket of
water was thrown over the slaves as they lay 2. Brawls and Violence: Many deaths
to wash away the waste. The heat in the occurred through brawling among the slaves
holes was fierce and unbearable. Many when men from different tribes and

ABBA
slaves developed circulation problems and backgrounds were shackle together, or from
were covered with sores, which became violence inflicted by crew members on
infected from lying in dirt. slaves who, for one reason or another, were
taken to be inciting discontent.
The Middle Passage was known as the
‘nursery of seamen’ because the speed of the 3. Resistance and Revolt: This could take
voyage and the danger of revolt made the many forms, ranging from a refusal to eat
sailors efficient, tough and brutal. The and attempts to commit suicide, to open
sailors did not like the middle passage but rebellion. In English ships there was an
their experience from it served the British attempt at rebellion once in every eight to
navy well in the Napoleonic wars. ten voyages, and on French ships about once
in every twenty-five voyages. These took
Ways in which slaves rebelled during the place either before the ship left the African
Middle Passage coast, or very close to it. Very few were
successful but nearly all led to the deaths of
1. Attempting to jump overboard. some slaves.
2. Committing suicide.
3. Open Revolts 4. Diseases: This was the most common
4. Refusing to eat. cause of death. Although every effort was
made to check on the condition and
MORTALITY ON THE MIDDLE healthiness of the slaves before they were
PASSAGE embarked; the state of medical knowledge
was such that it was impossible to detect any
but the most obvious diseases. Once they
were on board, the foul and cramped
 !48

conditions under which they lived were a they went to Africa to capture more
breeding ground for disease, and nothing Africans.
could be done to prevent any which broke
out from spreading. (4) Another method to obtain slaves was
through Advertisement.
ARRIVAL IN THE NEW WORLD
The effects that the slave trade had on
As the slave ship came in sight of land, the the West African society:
slaves were prepared for yet another sale.
Those who had not died and were not too 1. Leadership was loss as many of the
feeble to move were cleaned and oiled to chiefs and Priest were captured and
make them look strong and healthy. taken away.
2. The population drastically decreased
(1) In some ports the planters and buyers as thousands of Africans were
came on board to make their choice of captured yearly.
the best slaves. This was called a ‘Wild 3. There was political instability.
Scramble’. During this event, the slaves 4. Skills were lost as the able body
were assembled in two groups, male and people were taken away.

ABBA
females, and at the firing of a gun, the 5. Those who remained lived in
buyers rushed on board in order to seize constant fear of being captured.
all they wanted. This was another 6. Families were broken up forever.
horrifying experience for the slaves, 7. Cultural practices began to decrease.
which often cause them to jump
overboard in alarm. PLANTATION LIFE IN THE
BAHAMAS
(2) Any slaves who were not sold, either
because they were sick, maimed or The Bahamas was well situated on the
disfigured was offered for sale at public slave route to receive slaves brought from
auction. This was often held in a tavern West Africa. Ships on their way to the West
or the vendue House in Nassau. Those Indies would often stop in Nassau, thereby
who failed to find a buyer in the auction giving Bahamian planters first choice.
were abandoned to die on the The first thing that happened to the
waterfront. This was called “The slaves after they were bought were that they
Auction”. The planters might pay the were given new names. In order to change
captains in local money or give them and discipline them it was necessary to give
credit notes to collect the money in them new identities .A new name meant a
Europe. More often slaves were denial of the slave’s former self and a
exchanged for sugar and plantation confirmation of the owner’s power.
produce. Slaves were treated far better than
elsewhere in the West Indies. There were
(3) Many owners pre-ordered their slaves. various reasons for this. Large plantations
This occurred where the planters were very rare and only a handful of owners
ordered slaves from the captains before possessed more than 100 slaves. Most
 !49

farmers, therefore, supervised their own private concerns. The estate was self-
slaves. Many planters could not afford to sufficient. The only imports from Nassau
employ an overseer. The slaves worked were flour, rum, furniture and cloth, ginea
closely with their planters. Each plantation corn; the chief crop was used mostly to feed
slave family had its own plot of land on the slaves. Other food crops were several
which they planted vegetables and fruits for kinds of peas, yams, sweet potatoes, snap
home purposes. Starvation was unknown in beans, cabbage and pumpkins. Castor beans,
The Bahamas. The slave was allowed catnip and sage were grown for medicinal
holidays and usually did not work on purposes. It is unlikely that the slaves often
Sundays. tasted the meat of the sheep or pigs. Mules
and horses were raised on the estate and
were used for transportation
THE WORK OF THE SLAVES

Many slaves were employed as fisherman. RESISTANCE AND REVOLT

They accompanied their master to hunt for
turtles and other animals. Others worked on ACTIVE RESISTANCE- The act of using
their master’s home, looking after children, force or aggression to resist someone or

ABBA
cooking meals, waiting at tables, washing something.
and cleaning. Others worked on farms or
plantations, growing food or cotton. Still PASSIVE RESISTANCE- this is a mild
others built and mended fences and walls, form of resistance
thatched roofs and erected houses.
On the cotton plantation, March was ACTIVE RESISTANCE
the busiest month, since it was the “picking 1. Maiming or killing livestock, which
season”. The slaves worked in the fields caused the planters a lot of expenses
picking the cotton. The females on the to buy more livestock.
Acklins Island gathered between 40 to 50 lb. 2. Killing the master and his family in
of cotton per day, whilst carrying their an attempt to gain freedom.
babies on their backs. The cotton pods were 3. Destroying the master’s farm
then put through a “gin” to take out the machinery in order not to do any
seeds. work.
The cotton gin was invented by Eli 4. Burning down the cane fields.
Whitney and had been adapted for use in 5. Petty stealing of estate property
The Bahamas by Joseph Eve of Nassau. It caused inconvenience and expense to
now worked by wind rather than running the owner as well as personal gain to
water. The cotton was then packed in bales the slaves.
and sent off for sale. 6. The maiming or murdering of other
The slaves’ labor was allotted to them slaves was not common, but did go
daily and individually, according to their on.
strength and if they were so diligent to finish
their work early then the rest of the day was PASSIVE RESISTANCE
allowed to them for amusement of their
 !50

1. Pretending to be ill in order to get executed in Market Square, Montego Bay on

out of work. May 23, 1832. Before he died, he said, “I
2. Acting ignorant when they were told would rather die upon yonder gallows than
to carry out tasks. to live in slavery”. 400 slaves were killed in
3. Running away the fight and 100 were executed. (N.B) It
4. Destroying tools belonging to the was called the “Baptist War” because the
master. whites blamed Samuel Sharpe and William
5. Working slow and malingering Knibb, both prominent Baptists, for starting
6. Telling lies to avoid doing something the revolt.
or to create confusion
7. Committing suicide to avoid the THE TACKY REBELLON (1760) - St.
horrors of slavery. (N.B) Slaves most Mary (JAMAICA)
prone to commit suicide were former Tacky was a member of the Ashanti Tribe
members of the Ibo tribe. back in Africa. He was a Gold Coast slave
who led a revolt among other Akan peoples
Important Rebellions during slavery in St. Mary, which eventually spread to
other slaves regardless of tribe. Tacky went
SAM SHARPE’S REBELLION (1831)- to an obeah man to get a potion that would

ABBA
Montego Bay (JAMAICA) protect him from harm against the whites
during the revolt. When the potion did not
Another name for the Sam Sharpe Rebellion work many slaves surrendered but Tacky
was the ‘Baptist War’. This rebellion rose and some other slaves fled to the hills to
out of a strike called after the Christmas hide.
holiday by Samuel Sharpe, also Known as
‘Daddy Sharpe’. Sam Sharpe read from his The main aim of this rebellion was to gain
master’s newspaper that emancipation was freedom for slaves.50 whites were killed in
coming soon and he felt that the whites were the revolt. Tacky and the other runaway
withholding freedom from them .He told the slaves were later captured by the Maroons
other slaves that they should not return to (runaway slaves) in the hills and were turned
work after the Christmas holiday unless they over to the militia. Tacky and many slaves
were paid. He did not plan a revolt as it were killed. Another 400 slaves were
would be against his religious beliefs as a executed after the revolt ended. 600 slaves
member of the Baptist church. were deported to Honduras.

The aim of the slaves was destruction not CUFFY’S REBELLION (1763) - Berbice
the killing of whites, and in fact only 15 (South America)
whites were killed. The Militia acted quickly
so many slaves surrendered, but others The 1763 revolt in Berbice and Surinam
continued to fight in St. James and nearly succeeded, as it was so widespread
Trelawney where most of the killing took and the whites so weak and unprepared.
place. The rebellion lasted for 10 days and Cuffy, the leader who gave his name to the
quickly spread to other parishes throughout revolt was a former chief of the Ashanti
the island. Sam Sharpe was captured and tribe. He also used the assistance of an
 !51

obeah man to go to war. He got a potion captured the three chief Maroon settlements,
from this man to protect them during their but in 1733 further armed parties were
fight. But it did not work. Cuffy only wanted defeated and the captured towns had to be
the partition of Berbice on the lines of abandoned. An appeal was made to the
Surinam. He would be governor of the British Admiral in command of Jamaican
slaves in the interior while the whites stayed waters, who sent 200 sailors to assist the
in the coastal belt. However, others wanted militia. They were led into an ambush and
to kill all the whites and make the whole of defeated. There was clearly a war now.
Berbice an independent black state.

The revolt began in February 1763, on the At last the Assembly voted the money to
Canje River and by March had spread to the raise a force to tackle the Maroons. Two
Berbice River. The whites had only 12 hundred Moskito Indians and companies of
soldiers and 12 sailors to oppose the rebels. free blacks and Mulattoes were recruited.
Fort Nassau, the key to the colony, was The Maroons were much more aggressive
threatened and could easily have been taken because of their recent successes, but
at this stage of the rebellion. Most whites gradually the superior forces of the
were prepared to surrender the colony to the government wore them down by persistent

ABBA
slaves. Cuffy asked Van Hoogenheim (the attacks and a scorched earth policy, and
governor) for partition but was told to wait forced them to seek peace. On the1st March,
for a decision from Holland .In the 1739, a peace treaty was signed by a maroon
meantime Cuffy carried out attacks on the chief, Cudjoe and other leaders from
plantation Dageraad.The whites were Trelawney town. The Maroons were given
beaten. However more and more slaves freedom and the possession of all the lands
began to die.Cuffy later committed suicide lying between Trelawney Town and the
instead of being captured. However some Cockpit, amounting to about 600 hectares
slaves were able to escape to the forests. forever. In return they promised not to attack
white planters, to give assistance to the
THE MAROONS government against external enemies or
Maroons were runaway slaves from internal revolts and to return all runaway
various Islands who found refuge by living slaves for a reward. Similar agreements
in the hills or mountains. Slaves began to were made with other Maroon at:
escape very soon after they were introduced Accompong, Crawford Town and Nanny
into Hispaniola. They joined up with those Town.
Arawaks who had fled from the Spanish
cruelty of ‘Repartimiento’. They
intermarried with the Arawaks, thus they
were known as ‘Cimarrones’, which means
“dwellers on the mountain top”.

The maroons of Jamaica

There was no clear-cut beginning to the first
Maroon war. In March 1732, the militia
 !52

The Haitian Revolution- The Haitian

Revolution was the only successful
revolution in the Caribbean in which slaves
totally overthrew the shackles of slavery. It
started in 1791 in the French Colony of St.
Domingue (Haiti). The whites and
Mulattoes (mixed race) were at war over
privileges by the revolutionary government
! of France. The people wanted three major
Nanny of the Maroon things: Freedom, Equality and Fraternity
(unity).
The Bush Negroes of Guyana/Surinam
The slaves under the leadership of
The Bush Negroes of Surinam were Toussaint L’Ouverture seized the
runaway slaves who gained there by living opportunity to capture vital areas and to
in Circular clearings in the forest with their fight the French .By 1795, he became
dwellings in the middle and their crops known as “Master of the Colony”. He
around. Nearest were the lowest growing encouraged the ex-slaves to restart the
crops, rising to the banana trees at the

ABBA
development of the economy. However, he
outside of the circle. This was to give them was captured in 1801 by the French and
cover as well as food. placed in a French prison until he died of
In the Dutch colonies on the Wild Coast it Pneumonia in 1803.
was easy for escaped slaves to keep their
freedom in the forests of the interior. Some
of the Bush Negroes were African- born
slaves who revolted and moved into the
bushes to continue subsistence living which
they were accustomed to back in Africa.
However there were some runaway slaves
who were revengeful and they plotted the
murder of the whites and to raid the
plantation by nights.
!
After several expeditions into the interior to
capture these Bush Negroes failed, the white
Fighting continued until January 1, 1804,
Dutch made a treaty with the Bush Negroes
when Jean-Jacque Dessalines declared the
granting them freedom and the right to
island independent. He renamed the island
occupy the interior just as long as the Bush
“Haiti” which means “Mountainous” in
Negroes did not stir up slave revolts or
Arawak language. The island serves as a
raided the plantation. This peace treaty
beacon of hope to slaves in other islands of
lasted for thirty years.
the Caribbean who were still living in
bondage.
 !53

HAITIAN SOCIAL HIERARCHY CODE NOIR: - This was also called the
Black Code. These were laws established in
GRAND BLANCS [Equality with whites 1685 by the French to govern the treatment
in France] of enslaved blacks in the French West
| Indies. This included provisions for baptism,
religious instruction and the rights of
PETITE BLANCS [Equality& enslaved blacks.
Fraternity]
|
REBELLIONS IN THE BAHAMAS
MULATTOES [Equality]
| Farquharson’s Plantation rebellion: [San
Salvador]- The slave revolt that occurred on
SLAVES [Freedom] Farquharson’s plantation, Watling island,
was because of an incident between Mr.
Farquharson’s son, James and a slave named
Dutty Boukman- He was a voodoo priest Alick. Apparently Alick had taken great

ABBA
whose death was largely considered the start offense to James’ treatment of his wife and
of the Haitian Revolution. He had predicted brother Isaac. James resented Isaac’s attitude
that Jean Francis, Biassou and Jeannot after he was instructed to mount the horse
would be leaders of the slave revolt and correctly. When Isaac refused, James began
would free the slaves of their bondage. Soon to beat him. Alick, having witnessed
after the revolt began; Boukman was caught everything that took place, ran outside and
and beheaded by the French authorities. began to argue with James. James struck
Alick and a fight began between the two.
JEAN-JACQUE DESSALINE- He was
one of Toussaint’s lieutenants in the Haitian Another slave, named Matilda ran outside to
Revolution .He declared St. Domingue in stop Alick.The other slaves nearby were
1804 and assumed leadership of the new armed with clubs and sticks, supported
country. Alick’s action .In order to restore peace.
Farquharson called in a few of his next-door
HENRI CHRISTOPHE- He too was one neighbors to reason with the slaves. It was
of Toussaint L’Ouverture lieutenants in the also later discovered that Alick was angry
Haitian Revolution .He declared himself with James prior to that incident because
king of the Northern section of the island in James had spoken harshly to his wife. In the
1811 while the Southern section was ruled end Alick and his wife were shipped off to
by Alexander Peti’on. He tried to restore the Nassau.
economy by encouraging trade and
distributing land to the people. However, Johnson’s Plantation rebellion:
when this failed, he committing suicide in [Eleuthera]- In 1833,the slaves of William
1820. Johnson on Eleuthera, refused to work
claiming that they were free .As a result
 !54

troops compromising of 20 men were sent to

the plantation to discipline the slaves. It was In 1830, another attempt was made to
soon discovered that the lack of food and remove the slaves from Exuma. When faced
clothing were the major causes of this with a sudden removal to Cat Island, 44
rebellion. slaves led by Pompey, ran away into the
bushes for 5 weeks. They later stole a boat
Joseph Hunter’s Plantation: [Cat Island]- and sailed to Nassau to see an abolitionist,
In 1831,a slave revolt occurred on Hunter’s Governor James Carmichael Smyth. They
plantation. This had serious consequences were later captured by authority and
on the Island. Black Dick was hung for flogged. They were sent back to Exuma, but
firing a gun at his master. Six other slaves refused to work. It was only after Pompey,
who supported Dick were allowed to go free the leader, received 39 lashes (flogging) that
because the governor feared a full-scale the slaves returned to work.
rebellion on the island. The major causes for
this rebellion were thought to be poor
treatment on the plantation and a rumor that *** William Whylly- He was a plantation
the planters were withholding emancipation owner and also a Loyalist who later
from them. fought for slave rights when he came to

ABBA
The Bahamas. He was the first Chief
Pompey Rebellion: [Exuma]-(1828 justice and also served as attorney
&1830) – Lord John Rolle was the largest general.
absentee slave owner of The Bahamas. He
owned thousands of acres of land in Exuma,
out of which grew the settlements of
Rolleville, Rolle Town, Steventon and
Mount Thompson. The first mutiny
(uprising) occurred in 1828, when Rolle’s
attorney received a letter from him,
suggesting that they remove some slaves to
Trinidad. The slaves refused to go and
also refused to work. They were later
punished for their action.
Definitions of Terms

1. Slavery: -The state of owning another person.

2. Black Code: - These were laws established in 1685 by the French to govern the treatment of
enslaved blacks in the French West Indies.

3. Repartimiento: - This was the distribution of indigenous people (Amerindians) to force labor.

4. Barracoon: - An enclosure in which slaves were kept for a short period until they were ready
for transportation.
 !55

5. Encomienda System: - Was created by Nicholas Ovando (Spanish) to control and regulate the
Amerindians’ behavior during the colonization of the Americas.

STUDY QUESTIONS- THEME 4

2000
a). What was the route from Africa to the New World known as? (1pt)
b). State THREE effects which the Slave Trade had on the West African society. (3pts).
c). Explain the level of development which West African Kingdoms reached before the arrival of
the Europeans. (5pts)
d). Why were the slaves in The Bahamas less likely to revolt than slaves elsewhere in the
Caribbean? (5pts)
e). How similar were the slave revolts on the Hunter and the Johnson plantations to Pompey’s
revolt on Rolle’s plantation? (6pts)

ABBA
2001
a). Name a West African tribe from which slaves were taken. (1pt)

b). State THREE ways in which West Africans were made slaves in Africa. (3pts)
c). Explain the methods of sale used for slaves in the Americas. (5pts)
d). Compare and contrast the economic development of The Bahamas after the 1860s and during
the early 1900s.(5pts)
e). “ The Haitian Revolution had great impact on the movement to end slavery.” Do you agree
with this statement? Explain your answer. (6pts)

2002
a). From which part of Africa were most American slaves taken? (1pt)
b). Give reasons why African slaves were needed in The Bahamas. (3pts)
c). Explain how the Africans were captured and transported to the New World. (5)
d). Compare the work and life of field and domestic slaves in The Bahamas. (5pts)
e). “ In The Bahamas, the relationship between master and slave was cruel and inhumane.” Do
you agree with statement? Explain your answer. (6pts)
 !56

2004
a). Name one form of punishment for the slaves. (1pt)
b). State THREE reasons why slaves revolted. (3pts)
c). Explain, with examples, the differences between active and passive resistance used by slaves
on plantations. (5pts)
d). Compare Coffy’s rebellion in Berbice with the Sam Sharpe rebellion in Jamaica. (5pts)
e). “ Slave rebellions had little chance of succeeding.” Do you agree with this statement? Explain
your answer. (6pts).

2005
a). Name one ancient West African Kingdom. (1pt)
b). State THREE ways a person was made a slave in Africa. (3pts)
c). Explain why Africans were needed as slaves in the West Indies. (5pts)

ABBA
d). How similar was Black Dick’s revolt on Cat Island to that of Pompey’s on Exuma?
Explain your answer. (5pts)
e). “ The Triangular Trade was barbaric.” Do you agree with this statement? Explain your
answer. (6pts)

2006
a). Name the European country which started the Triangular of Trade. (1pt)
b). State THREE classes of slaves that could be found on the plantation. (3pts)
c). Explain how Europeans controlled the slaves during the voyage through the Middle Passage.
(5pts)
d). Compare the planters’ benefits of using African slaves with those of bond slaves. (5pts)
e). “ Africans and Europeans were equally responsible for slavery.” Do you agree with this
statement? Explain your answer. (6pts)

2007
a). Name a West African tribe from which slaves were taken. (1pt)
b). State THREE ways slaves resisted slavery. (3pts)
c). Explain how planters were able to maintain control over slave populations. (5pts)
d). How similar were the results in The Bahamas to those in the other Caribbean islands? (5pts)
e). “Slaves in the Bahamas were treated far better than those elsewhere in the Caribbean.” How
far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. (6pts)
 !57

2008
a). What was the name of the largest slave trading station in West Africa? (1pt)
b). State THREE economic reasons used to justify using West Africans as slaves. (3pts)
c). Explain why sailors on slavers were more efficient than sailors on merchant ships. (5pts)
d). Compare and contrast the society and culture of West Africa before and after the West Indian
slave trade. (5pts)
e). “African slavery was the only logical choice for the West Indian planters.” How far do you
agree with this statement? Explain your answer. (6pts)

2009
a). Name the owner of the slave plantation in Eleuthera. (1pt)
b). Give THREE examples of passive resistance by the slave on the plantations. (3pts)
c). Explain the duties of a slave on a typical plantation in The Bahamas. (5pts)
d). How similar was the resistance of slaves on Lord John Rolle’s and William Johnson’s
plantations?
e). “Slaves in The Bahamas were better off than slaves in the West Indies.” Do you agree with

ABBA
this statement? Explain your answer. (6pts)

2010
a). Name ONE West African Kingdom. (1pt)
b). Why did West Africans make good slaves? (3pts)
c). Explain the methods used to sell slaves in the Americas. (5pts)
d). How similar was the treatment of the Slaves in Africa and African slaves in the British West
Indies? (5pts)
e). “ The Slaves Trade was responsible for the development of West African culture.” Do you
agree with this statement? Explain your answer fully. (6pts)

2011
a). When did the Haitian Revolution begin? (1pt)
b). Why was there conflict between the mulattoes and the whites of St. Dominique before the
start of the Haitian revolt? (3pts)
c). Explain why the Haitian Revolution was the only successful revolt in the West Indies. (5pts)
d). How similar were slave conditions in The Bahamas to slave conditions in St. Domingue in
1790? (5pts)
e). “The Haitian Revolution caused many slaves to revolt in the British West Indian Islands.”
How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer fully. (6pts)

2012
 !58

a). Which plantation had the most slaves in The Bahamas. (1pt)
b). State THREE reasons why the Pompey Revolt may be considered to have been successful.
(3pts)
c). Explain the problems that the White plantation owners encountered in The Bahamas. (5pts)
d). To what extent was the experience of the Bahamian slave and a slave on a Jamaican sugar
plantation the same? (5pts)
e). “ The cotton plantation system in the Bahamas had very little effect on the development of the
Bahamian society.” To what extent do you agree with this statement? Explain the answer fully.
(6pts)

2014
a. Name a famous slave owner in The Bahamas. (1pt)
b. Name three types of slave laws. (3pts)
c. Explain how Africans developed successful Kingdoms in Africa. (5pts)
d. How similar were the slave rebellion on Watling’s Island and Tacky’s rebellion in Jamaica?
(5pts)

ABBA
e. “William Whylly was a humanitarian slave owner.” How far do you agree with this statement?
Explain your answer. (6pts)

2015
a). Name an abolitionist who fought to end slavery. (1pt)
b). Why did slaves run away from plantation? (3pts)
c). Explain why slaves revolted on Charles Farquharson’s plantation. (5pts)
d). How similar were the slave revolts in The Bahamas and in the Haitian Revolution? (5pts)
e). “ The East India interest caused the abolition of slavery.” How far do you agree with this
statement? Explain your answer fully. (6pts)

MOVEMENT TOWARDS EMANCIPATION: -THEME 5

For a very long time, the slave trade was into civilization. The fact Europeans
an acceptable practice and few people were making money from the slave trade
objected to it. In fact Europeans thought made the practice even more acceptable.
they were helping the Africans by taking The task that the slaves failed to
them from the forest and moving them accomplish (slavery) was taken up
 !59

successfully completed by a group of ABOLITIONIST GROUPS

abolitionists including: The Quakers,
The Clapham Sect, and The 1. The Quakers (Society of Friends) –
Industrialists. Important individuals also These were the first and most active
helped with this task. They were William abolitionist group to slavery in
Wilberforce, Thomas Clarkson, England. This was a religious group
Granville Sharpe and Thomas Payne. who tried to end slavery throughout the
British Empire. This group received help
Abolition (Emancipation): - Freedom from William Wilberforce to present
for the thousands of enslaved blacks in their case to the British parliament. As a
the British West Indies from bondage. result in 1807 the slave trade became
This was made possible the Abolition illegal. Wilberforce argued, “No man
Act. The Abolition Act was passed in should own another human being”.
July 1833 in the British Parliament. He also spoke of separation of family
Under the terms of the act: and how degrading the slaves’ auction
was, as well as the hardship of slave life
1. Over 450,000 enslaved blacks in the on the plantation.
British West Indies were freed from the

ABBA
shackles of slavery. 2. The Clapham Sect (The Saints) -
This was also a religious group who
2. 20 million pounds were given to the denounced slavery. This group
planters for compensation for loss of worshipped as church, which was, ran by
labor force. reverend John Venn in South London.
Among them were abolitionists such as:
3. A full free status was given to slave William Wilberforce, Granville Sharpe
children under six years old. and Thomas Clarkson.

Non-Conformist Missionaries 3. The Industrialists- The Abolition

These people worked very hard to movement went hand in hand with the
convert the slaves to Christianity and Industrial Revolution in Britain. The
improve the conditions they were living New Industrialists were producing
in on the plantations. Of course the textiles, pottery, iron and steel goods
planters, who blamed them for more cheaply and in greater quantity.
encouraging slave revolts on the However; in 1760 Industrialists strongly
plantations, disliked these missionaries. oppose slavery and found different ways
Also some slaves had very little of abolishing it.
confidence in the Non- Conformist IMPORTANT ABOLITIONISTS
missionaries because they believed they
were working with the planters because 1. William Wilberforce: - A vocal
they were always telling the slaves to abolitionist. He used his position as a
wait, slavery will one day come to an member of the British parliament to get
end. support for the opposition to slavery. He
was an active member of the Anti-
 !60

slavery Society. The Anti-slavery

Society was established in Britain in
1823 to fight for total abolition of
slavery in the British West Indies. It
must be noted that the members of the
Anti slavery Society could be variously
described as humanitarians but there
were specific groups within the society.
These groups consisted of Non-
conformist missionaries, politicians such
as William Wilberforce, humanitarians !
such as Thomas Buxton and
industrialists. 3. Sir Thomas Buxton:- He was a
member of the Anti-slavery Society. He
gathered much important evidence
against slavery in the West Indies and
took the final bill for the abolition of
slavery through the British Parliament.

ABBA
4. Granville Sharp:- He too was an
important abolitionist against slavery. He
was an English man who was
instrumental in making the slave trade
illegal in 1807.In 1787 he joined forces
with Thomas Clarkson and William
! Wilberforce to set up the Committee for
the Abolition of the Slave Trade. This
2. Thomas Clarkson: - A vocal committee had many supporters among
member of the society for effecting the Quakers, Non-Conformist Missionaries
Abolition of the Slave Trade. This Anti- and Politicians.
Slavery Society activist energetically
collected evidence showing the horrors
of slavery and the slave trade. He often ARGUMENTS FOR SLAVERY
risks physical danger while trying to
educate the British public about the 1. It is supported in the scriptures.
crime of slavery. He wrote many 2. Blacks were unprepared for
pamphlets and books and books freedom and would be harmed by
denouncing slavery. His works included it.
‘Is it right to make men slaves against 3. Men were not born free or equal.
their will?” Clarkson also lectured 4. The mindset of blacks enabled
throughout England to varied audiences them to adjust to a life of
about his first-hand accounts of the hardship and menial work
inhumane treatment of slaves. (simple work) and be happy in it.
 !61

5. Slavery already existed in Africa N.B.: Amelioration laws were

before the Europeans came so the proposed by the West India
whites were not introducing Company, which was the group that
anything new. They said the new fought for the planters in the West
world slavery was better than Indies against the abolitionist
African slavery movement in England.
6. Slavery might be wrong but it
gave the opportunity for They made the proposal that would
conversion to Christianity. prevent the abolitionist from
7. Slavery provided a cheaper labor campaigning for full freedom for the
force than wage labor. Slaves slaves. The Amelioration proposal
were cheaper than machine and was published in 1823 but was
animals. ignored by most of the colonial
8. If slaves were free, the whites legislatures and planters.
would become the minority
Governor Murray of Demerara
ARGUMENTS AGAINST SLAVERY refused to publish the amelioration
proposals and some slaves found out
1. Slavery was morally wrong. It

ABBA
and revolted in 1823 because they felt
was wrong to traffic in or keep he was withholding freedom from
slaves. them.
2. Slavery is a denial of civilization
3. Freedom is the true, natural state Laws under Amelioration:
of man. Only with freedom can
one attain true greatness. 1. No flogging of women.
4. Slavery brought fear and 2. A day should be allowed to pass
insecurity. between the offense and the
5. Slavery made the whites lazy and punishment.
ignorant. 3. Records of all flogging of over
6. Slavery led to economic three lashes should be presented to
instability and held back the magistrate.
technological improvements in 4. Slave families should not be
agriculture. divided
7. If people had thought of the quote 5. Adequate religious instructions
“do unto others as you would should be given to slaves.
have them do unto you”, then 6. Slaves should not be sold in
they would condemn slavery. payment for debt.
7. Slaves should be allowed to give
AMELIORATION-These were a set evidence against their master in
of laws set up to give slaves better court.
treatment on the plantation. 8. Saving banks for slaves should be
set up to enable slaves to buy
personal possessions.
 !62

This was a period of transition between

Failures of Amelioration the abolition of slavery and
emancipation when slaves were still
1. Planters strongly opposed it required to provide mandatory service
(amelioration) as they were totally for their master. Apprenticeship was to
against slaves giving evidences help slaves to get adjusted to their new
against them in court. life. These slaves had to work up to 40
2. There were not enough officials in hours weekly for the ex-master without
the colonies to supervise the wages. After the set hours, they were
enforcement of these laws. free to work elsewhere for wages.
3. Many planters feared that Stipendiary Magistrates’ (persons
Amelioration would erode their from Britain who came to oversee the
authority over the slaves and would apprenticeship and to protect the rights
lead to emancipation. of both planters and ex-slaves) job was
4. The planters tended to ignore the made impossible by the loopholes and
proposal, feeling justified about problems resulting from the attitudes of
their attitude on the grounds of the the planters and ex-slaves.
revolt.

ABBA
Aims of Apprenticeship
Manumission of slaves in the Bahamas
1. To provide for an easy and peaceful
This was the process by which a slave changeover from slavery to freedom.
could purchase his freedom or be freed 2. To provide the planters an adequate
by his master before emancipation. Free supply of labor during this period.
blacks were treated with malice and 3. To train the apprentices for the
much prejudice and often had to prove responsibilities of freedom.
that they were not runaway slaves. Such 4.To give the planters enough time to
persons had to carry their legal decide what they will do when slavery
documents proving whites in the slave ends.
society of their status.
Failures of Apprenticeship
How was the public made aware of the
horrors of the slavery? 1. The apprentices were putting allot of
a. Sermons pressure on the Government to end the
b. Petitions-Signed document by people. Apprenticeship period, so they could be
c. Testimonials completely free.
d. Pamphlets and books
e. Speeches 2. The slaves felt that the Apprenticeship
period was a continuation of slavery.

APPRENTICESHIP 3. The planters felt that the

Apprenticeship period was a waste of
time, even though it was designed to
 !63

give them some more years of free labor wrote books and pamphlets to gain
before emancipation. support from many people to end the
slave trade. Individuals such as: William
4. Many planters felt that free labor was Wilberforce, Thomas Clarkson, Thomas
more efficient than slave labor Buxton and Granville Sharpe tried to
because within ten years, fewer laborers show the people the horrors of the slave
were producing nearly twice as much Trade. With their support, the slave was
sugar. finally abolished in 1807 but slavery still
continued.
5. Many slaves felt that they were
completely free and refused to work. After the 1823, the abolitionist used
different strategies or methods to end
Compare the role of abolitionist slavery such as the Amelioration Act,
before 1807 and after 1823. which gave slaves better treatment on
the plantation. They also had
Before 1807 abolitionist worked Apprenticeship and Manumission that
tirelessly to gather evidence, signed would improve the life of slaves and to
petitions, received testimonies, and eventually lead them to freedom. 


ABBA Definition of Terms

a. Abolition: - The Act of putting an end to something, e.g. Slavery

b. Emancipation: - The process of being set free.

c. Quakers: - Members of a Religious society who sought to end slavery.

d. Amelioration: - The process of improving conditions for someone or something.

e. Manumission: - The act of purchasing one’s freedom.

f. Apprenticeship: - A transitional period between slavery and freedom where the

apprentices had to work for their masters for 40 hours per week.

g. Anti- slavery society: - An abolitionist society that fought to end the slave trade and
eventually slavery.

h. Justify:- Show or prove to be correct or reasonable.

STUDY QUESTIONS-THEME 5
2000
 !64

a. Name the first religious group to oppose the slave trade. (1pt)
b. State THREE ways by which the British public was made aware of the horrors
of the slave trade. (3pts)
c. Explain the arguments used by the Planters to justify slavery. (5pts)
d. Explain why Planters refused to administer the Amelioration Laws. (5pts)
e. Do you agree that Missionaries were responsible for encouraging slave uprisings?
Explain your answer. (6pts)

2001
a. What law did the British Parliament enforce on August 1, 1834? (1pt)
b. State THREE reasons why slaves could be given their freedom before 1838. (3pts)
c. Explain how public opinion was changed to support abolition. (5pts)
d. Compare and contrast the role played by Abolitionists before 1807 and after 1823
(5pts)
e. “The apprenticeship system was a failure.” Do you agree with this statement? Explain
your answer. (6pts)

ABBA
2002
a. Name the group, which fought for Emancipation. (1pt)
b. Give reasons why the West India Committee proposed Amelioration. (3pts)
c. Explain the terms of the Emancipation Act. (5pts)
d. Explain how the reaction of the planters made life difficult for the Stipendiary
Magistrates. (5pts)
e. “The Apprenticeship System was doomed to fail” Do you agree with this statement?
Explain your answer. (6pts)

2003
a. Name one Out Island on which rebellions occurred during the 19th Century. (1pt)
b. Give THREE reasons why slave owners in The Bahamas resented the Amelioration
Act? (3pts)
c. Explain why the Apprenticeship system did not work. (5pts)
d. How similar were the social and economic conditions of slaves in The Bahamas
before and after slavery? (5pts)
e. “ The Emancipation Act brought full freedom to the slaves.” Justify your answer.
(6pts)

2004
 !65

a. In which year did the British Empire abolish the slave trade? (1pt)
b. State the names of THREE abolitionist groups. (3pts)
c. Explain why the planters opposed the abolition of slavery. (5pts)
d. How far did amelioration and apprenticeship fail for the same reasons? (5pts)
e. “ Emancipation brought little significant change for blacks in The Bahamas.” Do you
agree with this statement? Explain your answer. (6pts)
2005
a. Name ONE humanitarian group that supported the abolition of the slave trade. (1pt)
b. State THREE methods used by the abolitionists to gain support for the cause. (3pts)
c. Explain the arguments for the abolition of the slave trade. (5pts)
d. How successful were the Amelioration Acts? Explain your answer. (5pts)
e. “If it were not the work of the abolitionists, slaves would not have been emancipated.”
Do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. (6pts)

ABBA
2006
a. In which year did the British abolish slavery in England? (1pt)
b. State THREE reasons why slavers believed the slave trade should have continued.
(3pts)
c. Explain why missionaries were often blamed for slave uprisings. (5pts)
d. Compare the attitudes toward slavery of the Anglican Church and the Non-
Conformist churches. (5pts)
e. “Wilberforce was responsible for the abolition of the slave trade.” Do you agree with
this statement? Explain your answer. (6pts)

2007
a. Give the term for “ the freeing of a slave by his master.” (1pt)
b. State THREE reasons for the implementation of the apprenticeship system. (3pts)
c. Explain why the Stipendiary Magistrates were unpopular with the planters and the ex-
slaves. (5pts)
d. Compare the roles of the Amelioration Act of 1823 and the Reform Act of 1832 in the
emancipation of the slaves. (5pts)
e. “ The steps towards emancipation were successful in improving the lives of the
slaves.” How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. (6pts)
 !66

2008
a. Name ONE of the leading reformers of the abolition movement. (1pt)
b. State THREE reasons for the start of the abolition movement. (3pts)
c. Explain the conditions under which manumission was granted. (5pts)
d. Compare the Abolition Movement before and after 1823. (5pts)
e. “ If it had not been for the work of the missionaries, slavery would not have
ended.” (6pts). How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. (6pts)

2009
a. In which year was the Emancipation Act introduced? (1pt)
b. State THREE roles of the Stipendiary Magistrates. (3pts)
c. Explain the terms of the Amelioration Act. (5pts)
d. How similar were the difficulties faced by Stipendiary Magistrates and Missionaries?
(5pts)
e. “ The apprenticeship system was beneficial to master and slave.” Do you agree with
this statement? Explain your answer. (6pts)
2010

ABBA
a. Name ONE Abolitionist group found in England during the 1800s. (1pt)
b. Why did Amelioration fail in the British West Indies? (3pts)
c. Explain the problems encountered by the Abolitionists fighting for emancipation in the
British Parliament. (5pts)
d. How successful were the nineteenth century Abolitionists in educating the British
public about the evils of slavery? (5pts)
e. “ Emancipation was a revolutionary change in the British West Indian Society.” How
far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer fully. (6pts

2011
a. What was the meaning of Amelioration? (1pt)
b. Why did the Amelioration laws fail in the British West Indies? (3pts)
c. Explain how the West Indian Interest group was able to delay emancipation. (5pts)
d. Compare the objectives of the abolitionist groups before and after 1807. (5pts)
e. “The abolition of the Slave Trade was ineffective in the West Indies.” How far do you
agree with this statement? Explain your answer fully. (6pts)

2012
a. When was the West African slave trade abolished by the British Empire? (1pt)
b. State THREE reasons why it was cheaper for planters to buy new slaves than to
maintain the ones they had before 1788. (3pts)
 !67

c. Explain why the abolitionists choose to fight for the abolition of the slave trade
instead of for full emancipation. (5pts)
d. To what extent did the abolition of the slave trade by the British Government
influence slavery in the West Indies? (5pts)
e. “The slave trade had very little effect on the industrial development in the Great
Britain during the 18th and 19th Century.” To what extent do you agree with this
statement? Explain your answer.

2014
a. Name one abolitionist group, which fought to end the slave trade. (1pt)
b. State three methods used by the abolitionists to inform the public about the evil of the
slave trade. (3pts)
c. Explain the terms of the Amelioration Act. (5pts)
d. Compare the roles of the Church of England and the non-conformist churches in the
emancipation movement. (5pts)
e. “The churches were ultimately responsible for the abolition of slavery.” How far do

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you agree with this statement? Explain your answer fully. (6pts)

2015
a. What did merchants and planters claim would happen to Africans if slavery was
abolished? (1pt)
b. Why was the West India interest opposed to abolition? (3pts)
c. Explain how James Somerset’s case affected the abolition movement. (5pts)
d. How similar were the roles of the Church of England and the Protestant churches in
the abolition movement? (5pts)
e. “The Industrial Revolution caused the abolition of slavery.” How far do you agree
with this statement? Explain your answer fully. (6pt)

THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE

BAHAMAS IN THE 20THCENTURY: THEME 6

The Depression years: After the Bahamians. Some people turned to

American Civil War ended in 1865, so wrecking once more, but this industry
did the prosperity from blockade running was declining .The Bahamas now
which benefitted hundreds of entered a period known as the
 !68

“Depression Years”. During this period the owners of businesses could not find
of about 50 years when many people the cash to pay their workers often, so
faced hard times, the economy was in a they would pay them in goods instead
poor condition. such as: pineapples or citrus fruits. This
was called ‘Truck’. The laborers would
Even though slavery had ended by 1838, then have to try and sell these crops and
racism still reared its ugly head in the most times, they received far less money
colony as the black still suffered than their labor.
hardship at the hands of the white ‘Credit’, comes in where the workers
oligarchy (a small group that controls the often had to go to stores owned by
government). wealthy white merchants and credit
basic food items and articles of clothing
However there were a number of for themselves and families. They would
industries, which helped many people to owe these merchants large sums of
survive for a while. There were three money and whenever they were paid in
classes of people who lived in the cash, that money belonged to the
Bahamas at that time. The whites, storeowners. With the Truck and Credit
Greeks and Lebanese were, the upper system, the workers such as: farmers,

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class. The middle class was made up of spongers and stevedores could not save
the Colored (mix race) and wealthy any money and they were always in debt
blacks. While the majority of the to the wealthy merchants.
population, who were black fell into the
category of the lower class. Wrecking Industry: Wrecking is the
Blacks in the 1920s to 1950s were not salvaging of good s from wrecked
allowed to use the same public facilities ships. This industry came about during
such as: Bathrooms, banks, parks, the hardship of the people in the
schools and stores. In fact if they went to Bahamas and was seen as a means of
certain stores or restaurants, they were survival. Wrecking was the first
served through a window, or on different Bahamian Industry, which came into
lines from the whites. Their children existence in 1647 from a constitution
could not attend certain schools such as: that encouraged the Eleutheran
Queens College or St. Andrews and had Adventurers to salvage goods from
to enter certain churches at the rear. It wrecks off Eleuthera. By 1870, wrecking
was difficult for black to get out of had become so popular that the
poverty because the system was geared Government realizes that it was out of
to keep them oppressed as a people. control. Therefore strict laws were
passed in order to regulate it.
The Truck and Credit System in The
Bahamas Even though wrecking was seen as a
In the Bahamas in the 1930s to 1950s, corrupted and wicked industry, it was the
cash did not circulate well in the colony main source of income for the
and as a result a system called ‘Truck’ inhabitants of Eleuthera, Harbor Island
and ‘Credit’ came about. In this system and Abaco. All kinds of people
 !69

benefitted from wrecking. They were sailing ships. As a result,

able to participate in salvage auctions at fewer ships were blown into
the Vendue House. Many times false the reefs or drifted off course.
beacons were set up on dangerous rocks Also the steamships were
to lure unexpected ships into the reefs. able to travel faster by day
Rock mounds were used as wrecking rather than at nights.
towers in which a tall pine tree was
placed inside the mound and lit which 3. Making of more accurate
also to lure the ships into the reefs. maps and charts- The
British Admiral for the first
Laws to regulate Wrecking time prepared accurate chart
1. All persons involved in wrecking of reef-strewn waters to help
must be registered. mariners. As a result the
2. The person who reaches to the wreck mariners were able to avoid
site first will be the wreck master and the dangerous areas.
they will supervise the distribution of
goods. Sponging Industry: The sponging
3. The dispensation of the amount of industry was first introduced into the

ABBA
goods to each person must be clearly Bahamas by a French man names
stated. Gustave Renouard. The first recorded
export was in 1843 when 132 bales were
Reasons for the decline of wrecking shipped off. By 1917 $492,000 worth of
sponges were exported. The major
1. Building of lighthouses- The sponging areas were Long Island,
Imperial Lighthouse Service Abaco, Exuma and the Great Bahama
built the first lighthouse at Bank, also known “the Mud” (main
Nassau Harbor. This sponging area).
lighthouse served as a guide
for incoming ships. Sea Process involved in sponging
captains were able to see
where the dangerous reefs A large vessel carrying small boats
were and to avoid them. (dinghy) left the port in search of mature
Other lighthouses were built sponging beds. At the sponging area, two
in Cay Lobos (1860), men would get into a dinghy, one with a
Sturrup’s Cay (1863) Elbow water glass or glass bucket to look for
Cay (1863), Inagua (1868) the good beds while the hooker would
and Bird Rock (1876). place his hook into the water to collect
the sponges. When the dinghy was filled,
2. Invention of steamships - the boat would return to the large vessel.
Steamships were introduced Here the sponges were laid out on deck
to replace sailboats. These to dry so that the animal matter would
ships were not at the mercy die.
of the wind or current as were
 !70

When the large vessel reaches to the THE AGRICULTURAL

port, the sponges were then placed into a INDUSTRIES
shallow enclosure to be washed. This
was called a “Kraal”. After the sponges The pineapple Industry- The first
were thoroughly washed, they were pineapples to be grown on a large scale
beaten with glats and clappers(flat were grown in The Bahamas. This fruit,
pieces of board) so that any excess which was used as a design for the first
decayed matter, sand or rocks would be Bahamian stamp, was found to grow
removed. well on the “red loam” soil in Eleuthera,
Cat Island and Abaco. The first exports
The sponges were then taken to the occurred in 1842, and a canning factory
sponge exchange where they were was opened at Governor’s Harbour,
auctioned to merchants (usually Eleuthera. Others followed at Abaco,
Greeks). In the merchant warehouses, Rock Sound and Harbour Island.
the sponges were given their final
cleaning, clipping, dying and were The best quality pineapples were boiled
sorted according to size. They were also whole and then put in syrup and tinned.
pressed in bales. After this process was Poorer quality ones were sliced or cut

ABBA
completed, they were ready for export. into pieces. By 1892, $120,000 worth of
pineapples was exported, and this proved
Reasons for the decline in sponging to be the best time for this industry. By
1938 this industry declined.
1. In 1938, disaster struck the
sponging industry. Many
sponges were destroyed by, a
strange fungus that did not attack
any other marine life.

2. The introduction of synthetic Reasons for the decline of Pineapples:

sponges (man made) also added
to the decline in sponging. These 1. In 1898 duties were introduced
sponges were more attractive on imports into America which
because of their varying colors led to a rise in prices.
and they also smell better.
3. N a t u r a l d i s a s t e r s s u c h a s 2. Many pineapples were bruised or
hurricanes also destroyed the rotted during shipment to the
sponging industry. In 1926 a U.S.
number of hurricanes struck the
Bahamas, which damaged some 3. The soil lost its fertility because
of the sponge beds. it was overworked.

4. The main cause was foreign

competition, as pineapples were
 !71

now being cultivated in Florida poor compared to the Cuban and

and could be transported faster Jamaican tobacco.
by rail.
THE SISAL INDUSTRY: For a while
5. When the U.S.A. took over it was believed that sisal might lead the
Hawaii in 1898 with its cheap Bahamas into prosperity. Sisal is a plant
labour and abundant fruit, the containing a long, strong fiber, which
Bahamian-grown pineapple is used in rope making. The plant was
could no longer compete. introduced into the Bahamas in 1845,
but was not produced in large quantities
CITRUS FRUITS- Citrus fruits such as until the 1880s. This plant grew very
Oranges, lemons and Grapefruits had rapidly in thin soil and seemed ideal for
been introduced at an early date into the growth in the Bahamas.
Bahamas. These fruits grow well in
tropical regions, especially in pot-holes The government realized that a great
where there were unusually large deal of unused land could be used and
amounts of rich black soil. During the offered crown lands to enterprising
1890’s when an unusually cold winter farmers at a cheap price. Many investors

ABBA
affected Florida, Bahamians citrus also came to the Bahamas from other
exports increased greatly. countries. One such person was Neville
Chamberlain who later became Prime
Reasons for the decline of Citrus: minister of Great Britain. He was in
charge of the Andros Fiber Company.
1. In the early 1900’s mass –
production in Florida, which Reasons for the decline of Sisal:
included fruits led to a decline in
Bahamian citrus. 1. After the U.S. took over the
2. America also began to impose Philippines and invested money
taxes on all imported citrus, in the islands. This sisal was
which led to a sharp decline in cheaper and of a better quality.
Bahamian exports. 2. The poor soil in the Bahamas
proved in adequate even for the
THE TOMATO INDUSTRY: Towards sisal plant.
the end of the 19th century, they began to 3. World prices for sisal became so
grow tomatoes on a larger scale. In low that it was uneconomical to
1876, the first crop was exported. manufacture.
However these rotted very quickly and 4. Many countries were also
since shipping was slow and often making synthetic ropes, which
unreliable, tomato growing proved were cheaper and more colorful.
unprofitable.
THE CONCH SHELL INDUSTRY-
Tobacco Industry – This was also given The conch shells were used to make
a try in the 1870s but the quality was many beautiful jewelry. For about four
 !72

years in the 1850s, the conch shell was In 1914 Britain went to war with
polished smooth and exported to France Germany. The Bahamas had a part to
and Italy for making Cameo Jewelry. play. In 1915 the British West Indies
However, Cameo was a short-lived Regiment was formed to serve in Egypt
fashion as women soon preferred other and France and The Bahamas sent
types of jewelry e.g. gold, silver etc. volunteers.670 men known as “The
Gallant Thirty” went oversees to fight.
WORLD WARS 1& II Money was raised; food and clothing
were also collected to transport and
Reasons for World I: 1914-1918 equip these soldiers. Some of the
organizations that collected these items
1. Nationalism/Patriotism-Ideology were The Imperial Order of the
according to which all people owe a Daughters of Empire and the Bahamas
supreme Red Cross Guild.
Loyalty to their nation and which
holds that each nation should have their Before the war ended in 1918 some
separate Bahamians did contract work on The
state. In other words it is ones love Panama Canal, while 2,500 went to

ABBA
for his country. Charleston, South Carolina to help
construct a new Port.
2. Imperialism- Domination of one
people or state by another. This is when
large nations tried to take over smaller Effects of the war on the Bahamas
countries in order to become more
powerful. 1. Out of the 670 Bahamians who
went to war, 50 died in active
3. Militarism – This is where nations duty.
competed against each other to build the 2. There was severe food rationing
strongest army and navy in case of a war (shortage) in 1916 and 1917
(e.g.) Germany had the largest army 3. In Inagua there was a lot of
during W.W.I, while Britain had the unemployment due to the loss of
largest Navy. the German ships, which used to
engage stevedores from this area.
4. The System of Alliance-This was a
system in which countries formed teams
(alliances) to protect themselves in case
of a war. The main teams were The Reasons for World War II 1939-1945
Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria and
Japan) and The Triple Entente (Britain, 1. Germany’s invasion of Poland-
France and Russia). In 1939 Germany invaded Poland
and as a result Britain and France
declared war on September 3,
Bahamas Troops to World I 1939.
 !73

2. Militarism- the Triple Alliance

competed to have the largest New Immigrants to the
army in the world while The Bahamas
Triple Entente still maintained
the largest navy.
The Jews
The Jews-There is evidence that the
The Bahamas involvement in World
Jews were in Nassau as early as the
War II
American Civil war. Some even arrived
in the 1920’s. In the Jewish Cemetery
When Britain declared war on Germany
on Shirley, next to St. Matthews’s
in September 1939, a Bahamas
church, the earliest tombstone is that of
Volunteer Defense Force was formed to
Samuel Benjamin, who died in 1864.
guard strategic points on New
The 1920’s saw the arrival from Cuba of
Providence: this consisted eventually of
William Yanowitz of William’s Shoe
500 men. In September of that year the
Store and from Miami of M. Garfunkel
U.S. provided Britain with 50 World War
of the Home Furniture Company.
1 destroyers, and in return was given 99-
These two companies catered to the

ABBA
year leases on naval bases in the British
public by providing credit to the lower
West Indies, including ones at Great
class people. There are presently two
Exuma and Man-O-War Cay. Many
Jewish Synagogues in the Bahamas.
Bahamians joined the armed forces of
One is located in Freeport and the other
Britain, Canada and the U.S. and 300
in New Providence.
fought with the Battalion in Egypt and
Italy.
The Chinese
Some Chinese came to the Bahamas as
Meanwhile, Etienne Dupuch, editor of
early as the late 19th century but most of
the “Tribune” newspaper, became
them came in the 1920’s and proved to
chairman of the War Materials
be great businessmen. There were as
Committee, which collected metals
many as 12 Chinese in the Bahamas in
from old cars, ships, cannons and rails
1879, one of whom worked as a farmer
for conversion to war machinery. They
on Cat Island. Chinese immigrants like
also contributed canned goods. Using
Charles Chea and Henry Wong began to
two airfields on New Providence, No.
arrive in large numbers in the 1920’s
111 Operational Training Unit took
from Cuba. They started businesses such
advantage of the clear skies to teach
as Chinese Restaurants, New Laundry
more than 5000 airmen to fly Mitchell
mats, dry goods and Grocery Stores.
and Liberator bombers. At the same
There was also a Chinese lawyer and
time, the clear waters of the Bahamas
pastor. Opposition from local merchants
were perfect for members of the Sea
led to discrimination between 1927
Reconnaissance Unit to be trained in
and1933, against application of
underwater diving skills.
Naturalization.
 !74

now. The main reasons Haitians migrate

The Greeks To the Bahamas are to seek a better way
They arrived in the late 19th century and of life e.g. better jobs, housing, health
became experts in Sponging. They were care and education. They are also
fishermen and became experts in looking for political freedom. Many
gathering sponges and preparing them Haitians are on each Island, but the bulk
for export. By the early 20thh century, of them are on Grand Bahama, probably
Psilinakis and Esfakis were operating because it was close to The U.S. where
their own warehouses. By the 1920’s most of the Haitians are heading.
Greeks had helped to develop sponging
into the foremost industry in the In 1957, the building of Hotels and
Bahamas. Other businesses they residences, the opening of new sites and
established were Model Bakery, the development of a road system
Restaurants, clothing, shoe and dry required a large labor force. Many illegal
goods store, Greek Orthodox Church immigrants who came over on boats
and school. provided the solution to this problem.
These immigrants could make a weekly
The Lebanese salary of $30 to $40.

ABBA
They also arrived in the late 19th century
and were refugees who soon established In 1965, the Bahamian government
themselves as shopkeepers. Six families realized the usefulness of Haitian
from Lebanon came to The Bahamas in manpower for an expanding economy.
the 1890s to escape persecution by their The Bahamian government was exposed
Ottoman rulers. Even though they were to the pressure of many Bahamian and
poor the soon operated as peddlers foreign employers who were upset by
travelling from house to house and the deportation of their Haitian workers.
Island to Island offering credit to the As a result the immigration office
poorer class. They also operated dry decided to grant a sort of amnesty of six
goods stores in Nassau. They were A. months during which it would issue
Baker &Sons and J.K. Amoury. They work permits to all illegal Haitian
also owned K.S. Moses & Sons. immigrants who could find a sponsor.
This was called the half -open door
policy.
WEST INDIAN IMMGRANTS TO
THE BAHAMAS Jamaicans
Jamaicans also migrate to the Bahamas
Haitians for better job opportunities. Jamaicans
Haitian immigrants are refugees arriving are here in large numbers. They are
illegally for the past thirty years. A doctors, nurses, teachers, maids,
minority has received permits and their electricians, gardeners, builders etc.
children are educated and accepted with Most of them have a trade. In the
Bahamians. On the other hand rounding erection of the hotels, New Colonial and
up and deportation have continued until Fort Montagu, Bahamians could not
 !75

supply the labour familiar with steel 4. May or may not lose
construction, so the Jamaicans supplied identity(language, religion and
it. Many Jamaicans have acquired culture)
property, and have not become paupers, 5. To receiving country: Deplete
some have married and in all social country’s resources; never fully
activities of the people they are adjust to the culture, might bring
prominent. in a culture that may not have a
substandard way of living.
Cubans
Cubans came to the Bahamas from the Contract Labor to Florida-Theme 6
days of their revolutionary wars. part 2
Hundreds of them arrived here armed, The project
but they gave no more trouble than the During the 1900’s many Bahamians
American tourists. To this day the few migrated to the U.S. as contract laborers.
that are here do not disturb the peace or They went to Florida as agricultural
prosperity of this colony. They are laborers or to Key West to labor in
doctors, teachers, nurses and maids. fishing, sponging and turtling. Some
Bahamians had visited Florida before the

ABBA
Advantages and Disadvantages of Civil War, mostly to trade with the
Immigration Florida Indians. The distance between
Advantages Florida and the Bahamas was short and
economic conditions in the Bahamas
1. Escape hardship in country of were poor. Many had little chance of
origin Moving beyond a subsistence level.
2. May be expose to better Wages at home did not compete with
opportunities like education, wages in the projects to develop Florida-
health care and jobs. the draining of the Everglades,
3. To the receiving country: construction and farming in the
knowledge/skills and may also be agricultural areas of the state.
an asset.
The United States became the center of
Disadvantages Bahamian immigration. As white
farmers developed Florida, they needed
1. May enter a country where workers to pick crops and Bahamians
xenophobia is prevalent because provided that service. Some of these
of religious, cultural differences. early immigrants returned to The
2. Constant fear of expulsion or Bahamas but many settled permanently
deportation in Florida. They continued to work in the
3. Cultural shock- inability to citrus industry and in harvesting
communicate makes this vegetables. Miami’s building opened
adjustment more difficult. new opportunities other than agriculture
for these black immigrants who found
jobs in the building trades in local
 !76

lumberyards, along the docks and as day Many Bahamians were in a good
laborers throughout the city. Some found position to sent home money to their
work as domestics or as service workers families. This caused a lot of money to
in the new hotels, catering to the circulate in the country. When these
growing tourist trade. Most of the contract laborers return home they were
workers were men but some Bahamian able to build their homes and start small
women found employment in hotels and business e.g. taxi cab business and
restaurant. shops. Unemployment decreased as
more Bahamians went to work. The
During the First World War, Bahamian standard of living greatly increased.
workers were recruited to work. They
were contracted to work in the steel The Drawback of the Contract
industry to make war machinery and on
the farms to provide the soldiers with While many benefitted from the
more food. program, there were drawbacks. Racial
prejudice in the Southern United States
They also helped to construct railway in hardened the hearts of some easy-going
Florida for easy transportation. Later Bahamians. Some fathers “jumped the

ABBA
Bahamians were contracted to work on contract”, abandoning their families
the Panama Canal in Central America. back home, and started new lives in
Work on this canal began in 1968. America. Many of those who returned
found that women had taken on family
leadership roles in their absence, which
Financial Remittances they were not willing to relinquish.
Some women have even taken new
husbands and started new families.


Definition of Terms

a. Wrecking- Salvaging of goods from wrecked ships.

b. Vendue House- A building where slaves were auctioned.

c. Kraal- A shallow enclosure where sponges were washed.

d. Sponge- A marine animal that lives at the bottom of the sea and filter feeds.

e. Sisal- A long, strong fibrous plant used to make rope.

f. Remittance- The act of sending money home to someone else or for something.

STUDY QUESTIONS- THEME 6

 !77

2000
a. On whose side did The Bahamas fight during World War 1? (1pt)
b. State THREE ways World War 1affected The Bahamas. (3pts)
c. Explain how The Bahamas assisted with the war effort during World War 1. (5pts)
d. Why did many Family Islanders migrate to New Providence between 1919-1932?
(3pts)
e. Do you agree that there were many changes in The Bahamas after World War 1?
Explain your answer. (6pts)

2001

a. To which country did Contract laborers go in the 1920s? (1pt)

b. Explain why laborers were needed in Florida during the 1940s. (3)
c. Explain how families were able to benefit from Contract labor in the early 20TH
century. (5pts)
d. Compare and contrast the economic development of The Bahamas after the 1860s
and during the early 1900s. (5pts).

ABBA
e. “The Project of 1942 was beneficial for The Bahamas” Do you agree with this
statement? Explain your answer. (6pts)

2002
a. Who introduced sponging as an industry to The Bahamas? (1pt)
b. What role did many Bahamians play in the sponging industry? (3pts)
c. Compare and contrast the success of any three agricultural industries in The
Bahamas at the end of the 19th century. (5pts)
d. Explain how the “Depression Years” affected the entire Bahamas. (5pts)
e. “The Truck and Credit system was oppressive for the laboring Bahamians.” Explain
how the system was used to benefit the merchants. (6pts)

2004
a. In what year did World War 1 begin? (1pt)
b. State THREE reasons for the start of World War 1. (3pts)
c. Explain the effects of World War 1 on The Bahamas. (5pts)
d. How similar were the roles of Bahamian men and women during the First World War.
(5pts).
e. “The Second World War had little impact on The Bahamas.” Do you agree with this
statement? Explain your answer. (6pts)

2005
a. Name ONE group of immigrants to The Bahamas in the late nineteenth century. (1pt)
 !78

b. State THREE reasons why immigrants came to The Bahamas in the late 19th century.
(3pts)
c. Explain the problems encountered by immigrants in The Bahamas. (5pts)
d. How similar were the contributions of the Greeks and the Chinese to Bahamian
society? Explain your answer. (5pts)
e. “Immigrants threatened the prosperity of The Bahamas.” Do you agree with this
statement? Explain your answer. (6pts)

2006
a. In which year did the sponging industry decline in the Bahamas? (1pt).
b. State THREE laws that regulated the wrecking industry in The Bahamian in the late
19 th century. (3pts)
c. Explain why Bahamians migrated to Florida in the late 19th and the early twentieth
centuries. (5pts)
d. Compare the effects of technological advances on the sponging and wrecking
industries of The Bahamas. (5pts)
e. “ The Contact created problems for The Bahamian economy.” Do you agree the
statement? Explain your answer. (6pts)

ABBA
2007
a. In which year did World War 1 begin? (1pt)
b. State THREE laws that regulated the Wrecking Industry. (3pts)
c. Explain how Bahamians contributed to the war efforts during World War I and
World War II. (5pts)
d. How similar were the effects of World War I and World War II on The Bahamas?
(5pts)
e. “The Bahamas’ involvement in both World War I and World War II was because of its
relationship to Britain.” How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer.
(6pts)

2008
a. From which islands of The Bahamas did most of the Laborers in the “Project”
originate? (1pt)
b. Explain THREE reasons why laborers were needed in Florida. (3pts)
c. Explain how the Bahamas was negatively affected by migration to Florida in the
1940s. (5pts)
d. How similar was life for an ordinary Bahamian after the 1860s and after 1942?
(5pts)
e. “ The United States was responsible for the prosperity experienced by the Bahamas
between 1942 and 1960.” How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your
answer. (6pts)
 !79

2009
a. Name one of the nations involved in the First World War. (1pt)
b. State THREE reasons for the start of World War 1. (3pts)
c. Explain how World War I affected The Bahamas. (5pts)
d. How similar was the role The Bahamas played in the World Wars? (5pts)
e. “ The Bahamas benefitted greatly from its involvement in World War II”. Do you
agree with this statement? Explain your answer. (6pts)

2011
a. Name the first major industry in The Bahamas. (1pt)
b. Why did the wrecking industry flourish in The Bahamas during the 19th century?
(3pts)
c. Explain how Bahamians benefitted from the wrecking industry. (5pts)
d. Compare the economic effect of the wrecking industry with that of the pineapple
industry in The Bahamas. (5pts)
e. “The early 19th century was a period of economic disaster for The Bahamas.” How
far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer fully. (6pts)

ABBA
2012
a. The capital of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas is located on which island? (1pt)
b. State THREE reasons why wrecking was no longer a good occupation by the 1900s.
(3pts)
c. Explain how Bahamians overcame the economic conditions in the country during
the early 1920s. (5pts)
d. How similar was the life of Black and White Bahamians during the early 20th
century? (5pts)

2014
a. In which year did the First World War begin? (1pt)
b. Give THREE reasons for the decline of the wrecking industry in the late 19th
century. (3pts)
c. Explain how Bahamians were mobilized for the war efforts during World Wars I
and II. (5pts)
d. Compare the impact of the two world wars on The Bahamas. (5pts)
e. “The Bahamas involvement in both World Wars I and II was largely because of
their status as a British Colony”. How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your
answer fully. (6pts)

2015
a. Name ONE immigrant group who came to The Bahamas in the late 19th century.
(1pt)
b. Why did people migrate to The Bahamas in the late 19th century? (3pts)
c. Explain the problems encountered by immigrants in The Bahamas. (5pts)
 !80

d. How similar were the contributions of the Greeks and Chinese to Bahamian society?
Explain your answer. (5pts)
e. “Immigrants contributed significantly to the socio-economic development of the
Bahamas.” How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer fully. (6pts)

MOVEMENT TOWARDS DECOLONIZATION-THEME 7

The Burma Road Riot 1942

Majority of the population in 1942 endured

oppressive economic, social and political
conditions. Most people were experiencing CAUSES
some level of poverty. The United States’ 1.Unfair Wages
entry into the Second World War in 1941 It had been agreed secretly between
brought mixed blessings to the islands. On the United States and the British
one hand it caused the collapse of the tourist Government that wages to be paid

ABBA
industry and construction. This led to an for labor on this project should be at
increase in unemployment. On the other the local rates. For unskilled labor on
hand the island benefited because of its building construction, Bahamians
strategic location to the U.S. laborers received 4/ (4 shillings) for
eight hours. (a). The Bahamian
New Providence was chosen to be the site of workers heard a rumor that the
an Operational Training Unit under the joint Pleasantville Company was willing
efforts of the Imperial and the United States to pay much higher wages to
Government. An American Company, name Bahamians but were prevented from
the “Pleasantville Incorporated”, was doing so by the Bahamian
given the contract to build two sites in the Government. (b). They also found
Bahamas. One was to be a main field (later out that the white American workers
called Oakes Field) that had been developed were earning much more for doing
by Sir Harry Oakes. The second site was the the same job. This no doubt made the
Satellite Field, which was located in the Pine Bahamian workers angry and they
Barren near the western end of New took to the streets.
Providence. This later became the Nassau
International Airport. The operation called 2. Racial tensions
the “Project” employed over two thousand
men. Many came from the family Islands in 3. Lack of education
search of jobs. The project not only provided
Bahamians with jobs but also many white 4. Political injustice
American workers. 5. Unemployment
6.Lack of proper health care
 !81

One avenue towards improvement came

from the Trade union movement. A
prominent leader was Randol Fawkes;
EVENTS another was Milo Butler. A major protest in
which the trade union played an important
On June 1, 1942, most of the laborers from role was the General Strike of 1958.
both project sites refused to work. Instead
they gathered at the Main Field armed with Causes of the General Strike of 1958
machetes, sticks and clubs. They then
marched through the southern district to the *Racism- The white Bay Street Boys wanted
town, singing. Within minutes riot broke out to show the Blacks that they were in control
down on Bay Street. Windows were of everything including transportation.
smashed and stores were looted. A parked * The whites wanted to be the only people
Coca Cola truck provided missiles. By noon, who should transport tourists to and from
Bay Street was in shambles. The rioters then the airport.
marched over -the –hill where they were * Poverty
spoken to by Milo Butler and Percy Christie, * Unemployment
a white merchant and an early union leader.

ABBA
During the riot a police station was
attacked, an ambulance and a fire engine This strike brought The Bahamas to a
were set on fire. The Grants’ Town library standstill. Members of the Taxi- Cab Union
and Post office were also looted. A curfew protested because the contract to take
had to be imposed to keep the people under tourists to and from the airport was given to
control. the white-owned company. On Saturday,
November 1, 1957, the Taxi Cab Union
EFFECTS blocked all traffic to and from Nassau
1. Five persons were killed in the riot International Airport for 36 hours. Many
while many were injured. other workers came out on strike to support
2. A 1/ - per day wage increase for the them. The Strike lasted for about 2 ½ weeks.
laborers. The Taxi Cab Union and the tour companies
3. The workers also received a free were later able to negotiate a peaceful
meal each day. settlement. Trade Unions were now firmly
4. Bay Street was left in shambles, established in The Bahamas.
which cost the government
thousands of dollars to repair.
5. It encouraged the development of
Political parties. The development of Political Parties
6. The secret Ballot was made Before 1953, members were elected to the
permanent in 1945. Assembly as individuals. The assembly was
still controlled by a small group of white
The development of Trade Unions businessmen, known as the ‘Bay Street
Boys’. They owned most of the shops and
businesses on Bay Street in Nassau.
 !82

The first political party was the Progressive was an Educator, led them to this historic
Liberal Party (PLP), founded in 1953. day. She became the first woman Cabinet
The founding fathers were Henry Taylor, Minister and member of the Senate after the
William Cartwright and Cyril Stevenson. 1967 General Election. The UBP won
decisively with 19 seats. The PLP won eight,
Returning from England, a young lawyer, losing two seats recently won in the by-
Lyndon O, Pindling joined the party and by elections of 1960.This election was followed
1956 had become its leader in the Assembly. by a Constitutional Conference held in
The party’s aim was to take over the London in 1963.
government by gaining a majority in the
Assembly.
The PLP mounted a major campaign to
organize black support behind them. They
demanded new constituency boundaries and
accused the UBP of ‘gerrymandering’. This
is a form of redistribution in which electoral
district or constituency boundaries are
deliberately modified. Finally on ‘Black

ABBA
Tuesday’ (April 27, 1965), Pindling threw
the Mace (symbol of the House’s authority)
into the street. Government, he said should
be in the hands of the people. Milo Butler
! threw out the Hourglasses.

Mr. Roland
Symonette. In
response to this
challenge, the
white majority in
the House
formed the
United
Bahamian Party
(UBP) in 1958.
Elections were
now fought on party lines. Roland
Symonette, who became the first Premier
under the 1964 constitution, led the new !
party.
After Black Tuesday, the PLP boycotted the
In 1962, there was a general election. This House of Assembly until February 1966.
was the first time women had the Some members, including Paul Adderley,
opportunity to vote. Dr. Doris Johnson, who Orville Turnquest and others objected to the
 !83

boycott. They later formed a new party, The 


National Democratic Party (NDP) which 3. The old Executive Council was replaced
eventually disbanded without ever having by a Cabinet to advise the Premier. Its
won a seat. members were called Ministers and there
would be a Minister for such areas as
In 1967, there was a general education, health and agriculture.
election .During this occasion The Wall 

street Journal implicated certain members of 4. The name Premier was to be used for the
the governing party in a conflict of interest leader of the largest or majority party in the
over the introduction of gambling into House of Assembly.
Grand Bahama. The election fought between 

the UBP, the PLP and the NDP ended in a 5. The Legislative Council was replaced by
dead heat, the UBP and PLP each winning the Senate. This would consist of 15
eighteen seats. Mr. Braynen was elected members chosen by the majority party, the
speaker when the House met on February 9, Opposition and the Governor. It could only
1967. delay laws for 15 months.

A new party was founded in 1971. Problems The 1969 constitutional changes were:

ABBA
within the PLP resulted in a break-away
group forming in 1970(known initially as 1. The new constitution gave The Bahamas
the ‘Dissident Eight’ and then the ‘Free full internal self-government. Which
PLP’). Joined by some ex-UBP members, means it gave the government a voice in
they became the Free National Movement external affairs of the country and control
(FNM). Its leader was Cecil Wallace over internal security.
Whitfield. It became the official opposition
party in 1972. 2. It also changed the name of The Bahamas
The 1969 Constitution to ‘Commonwealth of the Bahama
Islands’.
In 1967 the first black government was
elected and The Honorable Lynden O. 3. The name of ‘Premier’ to ‘Prime
Pindling became the Premier. The 1969 Minister’. The composition of the Senate
Constitution amended the constitution of was altered so that the political party in
1964. power would have the majority seats.

The 1964 constitutional changes were: 4. The power of the Governor was reduced.
He mainly dealt with foreign affairs, defense
1. The Bahamas was given internal self- and internal security.
government.

 The Independence constitution 1973
2. The power of the Governor greatly
decreased as the power of the members of The 1969 constitution paved the way
the House of Assembly increased. Independence in 1973. In 1972 the Bahamas
and British Government convened the
 !84

constitutional Conference in London. Before

the constitutional conference began the
Bahamas Government laid before the House There are two major purposes for the
of Assembly a Green Paper on various courts of law. A) To see that the
Independence on March 8, 1972. This laws of the land are not broken by punishing
paper drafted the proposals for an the criminals who break them and b) to
independent Commonwealth of The settle disputes between citizens in a peaceful
Bahamas. This was the first stage in the manner. It is very important to note that the
independence process. men who preside over these courts of law
should not be pressured or threatened at any
The second stage was carried out on time. To ensure this, the chief justice is
October18, 1972 when the Prime Minister appointed by the governor and will remain
presented parliament with a White Paper there until retirement or if he breaks the law.
on Independence. This was a formal plan The governor appoints the puisne judges.
for Independence. after meeting with the Chief Justice. These
judges hold office on similar terms so as not
The final stage was the signing of the to allow them to be under any local pressure.
Independence Constitution on December 20, The duties of the Chief Justice are:

ABBA
1972. The new Independence Constitution 1. Presides over the impeachment trial.
was formally presented to the Prime However he cannot sit in the Court of appeal
Minister (The Honorable Lynden Pindling) unless he is invited by the president of the
by His Royal Highness Prince Charles, on court of appeal.
behalf of Queen Elizabeth II, on July 10, 2. They sit on important criminal, Civil and
1973. Family cases and gives judgment.
3. They Chair the judicial Executive Board
and Judges’ Council
OUR GOVERNMENT

THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM The Family Island Courts are held to look
over disputes and punish small cases of law
Privy Council breaking. In more important matters, the
I charge is made in the Commissioner’s court
The Supreme Court and is referred to The Magistrates’ Court.
(The chief Justice Puisne Judges (inferior in Even though most commissioners have very
rank) little training in the law, they are quite
experience in local disputes. The Justice of
I the peace assists the Commissioner.
Magistrates Courts
Magistrates The Magistrates’ Courts

I The Magistrates’ Courts are very useful to

Family Island Courts all people concerned with legal disputes and
F.I. Commissioners, J. P’s offences against the law. Most cases are
 !85

brought before the Magistrate in the first POST INDEPENDENCE BAHAMAS:

instance. The magistrate hears the charges BAHAMAS INVOLVEMENT IN
and listens to an outline of the evidence. If INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION
the case is a serious one, it will be entered
for hearing in the Supreme Court. CARICOM: Means Caribbean Common
Market. CARICOM replaced CARIFTA in
Privy Council 1973. This organization was established by
**The Privy Council is the highest legal the Treaty of Chaguaramas which came
court in the country. This council is located into effect on 1 August 1973.The first four
in England. It serves as the ultimate Court of members were Barbados, Jamaica, Guyana
Appeal in all issues relating to appeals in the and Trinidad and Tobago. Presently there are
country. 15 Caribbean nations who are apart of
Caricom.

The Supreme Court The main aims or purposes of CARICOM

are to promote economic integration and
This is the second highest legal court in The cooperation among its members, to ensure
Bahamas. Cases, which cannot be settled in that the benefits of integration are equally

ABBA
the Magistrate’s Courts, are entered for shared, and to coordinate foreign policy.
hearing during the Supreme Court sessions. There would be common tariff (tax) on
The same lawyers who appear in goods from outside the Common Market to
Magistrates’ Courts also take cases before protect native industry.
the Supreme Court. The chief difference is
that a jury of twelve men and women may The Organization of American State
be called to hear cases in the Supreme Court (OAS): This was It is a regional
and the judge then presides over the court, international organization, established on the
instructs the jury on points of law and gives 30th of April 1948. Its headquarters is in
sentence if the jury decides the person is Washington, D.C., United States. The OAS
guilty. brings together the 34 democratic countries
of the Western Hemisphere to strengthen
The Juvenile Court cooperation and advance common interests.

The Juvenile Court exists to deal with young It aims to defend democracy, protect human
offenders who are under the age of eighteen. rights, strengthen security, foster free trade,
The jobs of the people who form this court combat illegal drugs and fight corruptio
are to enquire into the background of the
young people concerned. They then decide Member States
on the best way to deal with the offender.
Sometimes the boy may be sent to the Boys’
Industrial School or a girl to the Girls’
Industrial School.
 !86

• Guyana cooperation between world nations.

• Antigua and However the United Nations took over in
• Haiti
Barbuda 1945. The term was coined by Winston
• Honduras Churchill (Prime Minister of England) and
• Argentina
• Jamaica Franklin D. Roosevelt (President of the
• The United States of America).
• Mexico
Bahamas
• • Nicaragua The Aims of the UN are to: Maintain peace
Barbados
• Panama and security for all of its member states. To
• Belize protect human rights and provide
• • Paraguay
Bolivia humanitarian assistance when needed, (e.g.)
• • Peru Help improve judicial structures, provide
Brazil
• St. Kitts food, drinking water and shelter. They also
• Canada
and Nevis help families displaced by
• Colombia famine, war and natural disaster. The UN
• St. Vincent
• Costa Rica also plays an integral part in social and
and the economic development e.g. fighting
• Chile Grenadines diseases, reducing poverty increasing
• •

ABBA
Dominica Saint Lucia education and life expectancy.
• The • Suriname
Dominican The Commonwealth: The Commonwealth
• Trinidad
Republic of Nations- formerly the “British
and Tobago Commonwealth “ is a voluntary association
• Ecuador • United of 54 independent sovereign states, most of
• El Salvador States of which are former British colonies, or
• Grenada America dependencies of these colonies. The head of
• Uruguay the Commonwealth of Nations is Queen
• Guatemala Elizabeth II. The aims of the commonwealth
• Venezuela were to promote peace, democracy and
development. There are substantial
The United Nations (UN): The UN is an economic ties and shared history.
international organization designed to make
the enforcement of international law,
security, economic development, social
progress and human rights easier for
countries around the world. The United
Nations includes 193 member countries and
its main headquarters are located in New
York City.

Prior to the United Nations, The League of

nations was the international organization
responsible for ensuring peace and
 !87

Definition of terms


a. Trade Union: - An organization that represents the right of the workers.

b. Strike: - A refusal to work organized by a body of employees a way of protesting.

c. Trace: - To find something or discover by investigation

d. U.N.: - an international organization designed to make the enforcement of international law,

security, economic development, social progress and human rights easier for countries around the
world

e. OAS: - a regional international organization

ABBA
STUDY QUESTIONS-THEME 7
2000
a. Name the first political party formed in The Bahamas. (1pt)
b. State THREE causes of the Burma Road Riot. (3pts)
c. Explain why the trade unions and political parties were closely linked in The Bahamas in
the mid-twentieth century. (5pts)
d. Explain the difficulties faced by early Trade unions. (5pts)
e. “The Trade Union Movement was strengthened as a result of the 1958 General Strike.” How
far do you agree with this statement ? Explain your answer. (6pts)

2001
a. What important electorate reform was made in The Bahamas in 1962? (1pt)
b. Explain what took place in The Bahamas on ‘Black Tuesday’. (3pts)
c. Explain the differences between the Parliamentary ‘Green Paper’ and the Parliamentary
‘White paper’. (5pts)
d. Compare and contrast the role played by Britain in The Bahamas before and after 1964.
(5pts)
e. “ The Road to political independence for The Bahamas was inevitable.” Do you agree with
this statement? Explain your answers? (5pts)

2004
 !88

a. What was the name of the company that employed the workers involved in the Burma Road
riot of 1942? (1pt)
b. State THREE causes of the General Strike of 1958.
c. Explain the effects of the General Strike on The Bahamas. (5pts)
d. Compare the changes to the Bahamian Constitution in 1969 and 1973. (5pts)
e. “Without the Progressive Liberal Party, there would have been no independence for The
Bahamas.” Do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. (6pts)

2005
a. In which year was The Bahamas granted internal- self government? (1pt)
b. State THREE changes made to the constitution in 1969. (3pts)
c. Explain the major events of 1972 and 1973 that brought great changes to The Bahamas.
(5pts)
d. Compare the criteria for membership and aims of the United Nations with those of the
Commonwealth of Nations.
e. “ The Bahamas has benefitted from its involvement with international organization.” Do you

ABBA
agree with this statement? Explain your answer. (6pts)

2006
a. In what year did Black Tuesday take place? (1pt)
b. State THREE changes made to the Constitution in 1964. (3pts)
c. Explain THREE major events of Black Tuesday in The Bahamas. (5pts)
d. Compare the reasons for the Progressive Liberal Party winning the election of 1967 and not
1962? (5pts)
e. “Constitutional changes in The Bahamas brought many benefits to Bahamian citizens.” Do
you agree with this statement? Explain your answer. (6pts)

2007
a. In which year did The Burma Road Riot occur in The Bahamas? (1pt)
b. State THREE problems in the Bahamian society which were highlighted by the Burma
Road Riot. (3pts)
c. Explain the effects of the General Strike on The Bahamas. (5pts)
d. How similar were the methods of protest by Bahamians in the Burma Road Riot and
General Strike? (5pts)
e. “ The Burma Road Riot and the General Strike were the driving forces behind the Bahamas
becoming an independent nation.” How far do you agree with this statement? Explain your
answer. (6pts)
 !89

2008
a. What is the highest Court of Appeal in the British System of Justice? (1pt)
b. List THREE responsibilities of the Chief Justice. (3pts)
c. Explain the links between Commonwealth Nations. (5pts)
d. Compare the role of Trade Unions before and after 1942 in The Bahamas. (5pts)
e. “ The United Nations with its many arms is truly a “ World Parliament.” How far do you
agree with this statement? Explain your answer. (5pts)

2009
a. In which year did The Bahamas gain Internal self government? (1pt)
b. State THREE constitutional changes that came into effect during 1964-1965. (3pts)
c. Explain the social and economic conditions in the Bahamas during 1964-1973 for the
black majority. (5pts)
d. How similar were the Green and White Papers on Independence? (5pts)
e. “ The Bahamas has developed socially and economically since Independence.” Do you agree
with this statement? Explain your answer.(6pts)

ABBA
2011
a. What is CARICOM? (1pt)
b. Why does the Bahamas participate in CARICOM? (3pts)
c. Explain why The Bahamas became a member of CARICOM. (5pts)
d. How similar is the Bahamas’ involvement with the United Nations and with its
involvement with CARICOM? (5pts)
e. “The Bahamas does not benefit from its involvement with CARICOM.” How far do you
agree with this statement? Explain your answer fully. (6pts)

2012
a. In which year did the Burma Road Riot take place? (1pt)
b. State THREE reasons why the workers involved in the Burma Road Riot thought that they
were being treated unfairly. (3pts)
c. Explain the social and political effects of the Burma Road Riots on The Bahamas. (5pts)
d. How similar were the causes of the Burma Road Riots and the 1958 strike in the Bahamas?
(5pts)
e. “ The Burma Road Riots had very little effect on the development of political parties in The
Bahamas.” To what extent do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer fully. (6pts)
2014
a. In what year did The Bahamas gain majority rule? (1pt)
b. State THREE reasons why Black Bahamians fought for majority rule. (3pts)
 !90

c. Explain why women were important in the struggle for independence. (5pts)
d. Compare the General Strike of 1958 with ‘Black Tuesday’ of 1965. (5pts)
e. “ Racial inequality was the primary reason why Bahamian fought for independence.” To
what extent do you agree with this statement? Explain your answer fully. (6pts)

2015
a. Name the member of the Labor Party elected in the 1967 election. (1pt)
b. Why was a General election called in 1968? (3pts)
c. Explain the changes made to the Constitution of the Bahamas in 1964. (5pts)
d. How similar were the 1962 and 1967 general elections in The Bahamas? (5pts)
e. “ The Bahamas received majority rule in 1973.” How far do you agree with this
statement? Explain your answer fully. (6pt)

AMERICAN HISTORY
THEME: 1

ABBA
THE EXPANSION OF THE U.S.
ECONOMY IN THE 1920’S
During the 1920’s, the United States
experienced prosperity and economic
growth. There was a need for American
manufactured products and food in the
industries and services. People who owned
automobiles needed gasoline and roads on
which to drive. Gasoline stations and road

devastated region of Europe their lives

return to normal. The development of the
automobile by Henry Ford was one
important event, which helped in the
economic growth and caused great changes
in American life.
construction companies were developed.
The introduction of the assembly line (car
industry) made the manufacturing of
Home construction increased since the
automobiles efficient and reasonable. In
automobile allowed people to build their
1921, Americans bought 1.5 million
homes further from their work. The radio
automobiles and in 1929, they bought 5
industry, motion picture industry, aviation,
million automobiles. To make automobiles,
electronics and home appliances were
the manufacturers needed steel, glass tools,
developing. People were shopping in
machines and other products. This led to the
national chain stores rather than local shops.
development and growth of other related
 !91

REASONS FOR THE ECONMIC

BOOM IN THE U.S. IN THE 1920’S
5. Mass marketing- This means
1. Impact of W.W. 1 – The. U.S. came advertising on a large scale. Mass
out of the war quite successful. They produced goods had to be sold on a
supplied Europe with many mass market. If people did not know
weapons, clothing and food during about a new product, then the system
the war and had taken over their would have collapsed. As a result
overseas market. The U.S. industry people spent large sums of money on
was now the world leader in advertising. This was a means to
chemicals. persuade people to buy the product.

2. Resources- The U.S had a great store 6. Credit – The growth of credit made it
of natural resources such as wood, much easier for people to buy goods
iron, minerals, coal, oil and land. even when they did not have enough
These resources helped the U.S to cash to pay for the product. They had
become a great industrial power by the opportunity to pay by
the beginning of the 20th century. installments or hire purchase.

ABBA
3. Technological changes- This was a 7. Confidence - People had a lot of
period of the great success. There confidence or trust to buy new
were many technological changes in products , to invest in companies or
many areas such as automatic switch try out new ideas.
boards, conveyor belts and concrete
mixers. Along with these changes 8. Policies of the Republican party –
was the development of electrical The Republican party lowered taxes
power. This provided a cheaper and on income and company profits,
more efficient source of power to giving the wealthy more money to
factories. It also led to the production invest in American Industries and
of new consumer goods e.g. buildings .The Republicans placed
Refrigerators, vacuum cleaners, strict Tariff (taxes) called
radios, televisions and washers. “Protectionism” on imported goods.
As a result, other countries could not
4. Mass production- New techniques compete with America
meant that goods could be produced
much cheaper and on a larger scale. New Developments during the 1920’s
Henry Ford pioneered a mass
production in the Car Industry by 1. Transportation – During the 1920’s,
introducing an assembly line before the American transport system saw
the war. He made cars so cheap so Mass improvements. By 1930’s, the
cheap that thousands of ordinary miles of paved roads had doubled to
people could afford them. make way for cars, trucks, buses and
 !92

even aircrafts. As a result many

people moved away from rail roads.
Ford Cars
Construction – The American
construction became very busy in the 1920’s
than ever before. With the rapid growth in
industries, there was a demand for new and
improved factories. There were also
improvements in offices such as banks,
insurance and advertising companies. This
was the age of the “Sky scrapers”.

2. Shopping – In the cities, chain stores

were opened to stock the new range
of goods now available. It was at this
time that clothing for women was
becoming Mass-produced.
!
3. ENTERTAINMENT:

ABBA
a. Newspapers and magazines c. The Cinema
The circulation of Newspapers and
magazines expanded greatly in the By the 1920’s, Hollywood had
1920’s.In 1919, the first tabloid “The become the filmmaking capital of the
Daily News” was published. Many world and movie going had become
others, specializing in, followed this: one of the most popular leisure
Crime stories, Strip cartoons and events in America. In the 1920’s,
natural Disasters. there were 40 million cinema tickets
sold every week. Film- making
b. Sports became a mass production industry
Increasing influence and leisure time with three (3) rolling off the
saw the growth of spectator sports. production line each week. All of the
There were sports such as football, early films were called “Silent
boxing, and baseball. In fact, Talkies” because they had no sound
Baseball was the most popular game coming from them, only pictures.
and its most celebrated star was These arrived at the end of the
Babe Ruth. 1920’s.

AMERICAN HISTORY- THEME: 2

SOCIETY IN THE ROARING TWENTIES
 !93

The prosperity of the 1920’s brought a income from selling farm machinery or
change in lifestyle for many Americans: provided services to other small farmers.
more people owned their own homes and
cars, and had labour-saving devices to help New machines, such as the combine –
with housework. They had more leisure and harvesters, made American farming the most
more money to spend. The entertainment efficient in the world, but it was producing
industry grew, with dancehalls and clubs far more food than Americans needed.
opening up. People were influenced by what During the war, the surplus had been sold to
they heard on the radio and saw at the Europe. After the war European farmers
cinema. The 1920’s was referred to as “the could grow enough to meet their own needs,
Roaring Twenties” because it was a period and the U.S. faced competition from
of great economic prosperity and Canadian farmers who were supplying a vast
developments. amount of grain to the world market. The
price of grain collapsed and brought ruin to
The rich and the poor many small farmers. More than three million
farming families were earning less than
In the 1920’s while the rich became richer, $1000 a year. As their income dropped,

ABBA
the poor made very little improvements. farmers found it difficult to keep up
Many families lived below the poverty line. mortgage payments. Some were evicted
Those were the people who didn’t earn while others sold their land to clear their
enough to take care of their basic needs such debts.
as food, clothing and shelter. The rich on the
other hand made a lot of money because The Blacks
they were the managers, supervisors of The largest concentration of blacks lived in
companies or they invested a lot of money the southern states, where they were either
on the stock market. They lived lavishly and laborers or share croppers (farmers who pay
owned homes and businesses. The wealth a portion of the sale made from crops to the
was not shared evenly and as such, the landowner).3/4 of a million black farm
wealthy gained more and more while the workers lost their jobs during the 1920’s.
poor made very little progress. Many Blacks made their journey to the
North to find jobs in the cities.

The Status of Minorities: In the cities, Blacks had a greater

opportunity than in the South but they still
The farmers faced discrimination. 60% of black women
in the Milwaukee area, worked as low paid
The farming community had a hard time in domestic servants in white household.
the 1920’s. About 30 million people earned
their living through farming and half of New Immigrants
Americans lived in rural (country)
communities. Farmers often made their The new immigrants who arrived just before
or after the war also faced discrimination.
 !94

They took whatever jobs they could find, stars, became national figures because of the
partly because they were often less educated radio.
than other workers. A large number of
immigrants worked in construction where
there was a building boom, but construction The Jazz Age
workers’ wages only increased to 4% in the The 1920’s has also been referred to as the
1920’s as they were seen as a source of “Jazz Age”. This was because black music-
cheap labor. Another reason why the new whether jazz, blues or soul-dominated all
immigrants were discriminated against was other music at this time. The Jazz music
that their language was not English. originated in New Orleans in the 1920’s by
the Blacks. This music fed into the
CHANGING ATTITUDES AND dancehalls, popular music and stage
VALUES musicals. Older people saw this music as
corrupting influence linked to sexual excess.
The car industry
Clubs and Dancing
The impact of the car on life in the U.S.A Going to clubs and dancehalls was very
cannot be exaggerated. It gave people great popular in the 1920’s.The slow, formal pre-

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freedom to travel, whether to visit friends or war dances (waltz) were soon replaced by
take day trips to the cities. Many people fast dances with a lot of rhythm and sexual
moved out to live in the suburbs during the elements. Dancing had such a dramatic
1920’s because they could drive into work. effect that many people condemned it.
The car meant that young people could
escape their parents and go off to cinemas or Sex and the cinema
clubs. One of the biggest areas of change and
controversy was sexual morals. Sex outside
Not everyone was in favor of the car: Some of marriage became more common and
people thought that was leading to a moral contraceptive advice openly available for the
decline in young people, giving them the first time. A big gap was developing
opportunity for ‘sexual freedom’; others between the attitudes of young people and
blamed it for making crime easier. their parents.

Radio Young Americans in particular visited the

cinema two or three times per week. They
America’s first radio station –station were greatly affected by what they saw on
KDKA-was started in 1920. The radio screen and by the lives of the “stars” off
quickly became an important part of life. By screen. People wanted to know what their
1930, 40 % of all homes in the U.S. had a favorite stars were wearing and doing –and
radio set. The radio gave Americans access to copy the fads and fashion in their daily
to new types of music from dance bands to lives. Studio publicity agents made sure that
jazz. It also created a national habit-listening the magazines got all the information they
to sporting events that they could not go to needed to keep their readers interested.
see. Sporting Personalities, like baseball
 !95

The much freer sex of the 1920’s horrified

many older Americans. They blamed the
cinema for its blatant use of sex symbols
such as Clara Bowe. Older people were
shocked by the morality in Hollywood films
and by the private lives of some of the
screen stars. Nudity was not allowed and the
length of kisses was restricted.

The Flappers
The flappers were the liberated women of
the 1920’s. Young women shocked older
Americans by having their hair bobbed or
cut short. They wore short dresses, rolled
their stockings below their knees and draped
themselves with long strings of beads. These
women were no longer confined to their The flappers
homes.

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Women went out into the job during World The Harlem Renaissance
War I, working in the factories, mines, stores
etc. They refused to go back to being From the 1920s-1930s, there was an
housewives. outburst of creative activities e.g. Art,
Poetry, music and drama in all fields of art.
They wore a lot of make up and baggy This movement began as a series of literary
dresses, which often exposed their arms and discussions in Harlem, New York. It was
legs. In other words, the flappers symbolized first known as the “New Negro Movement”
a revolution in fashion. and later as the Harlem Renaissance.
Harlem

Renaissance was more than a literary

movement and more than a social revolt
! against racism. It was a unique culture of
African Americans and their redefined
 !96

expressions. They were encouraged to

celebrate their heritage and to become the
new Negro. Talented Black artist and writers
gathered in Harlem, led by the poet and
writer Weldon Johnson. Their works
expressed the social and economic
grievances of blacks and made whites aware
of the ‘black’ experience of alienation.

Black theatre attracted big audiences and

black performing artists-comedians, singers
and dancers like Josephine Baker-were
successful in musical shows, clubs and black
!
Revues. Black American music, whether
jazz, blues or soul became one of the most
influential art forms of the twentieth century.

THE BLACK EXPERIENCE IN THE

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1920’S

Slavery had been ended after the American

Civil War but Blacks continued to suffer
discrimination and ill-treatment by whites.
Many states passed laws for the segregation
(separation of blacks and whites) of blacks
in schools, parks, hospital, swimming pools,
libraries and other public places, even in !
cemeteries. These laws were called “Jim
Crow” laws after a comedian act which The Klan attracted people who believed that
ridiculed blacks as ignorant and inferior the best American citizens were white
people. Anglo-Saxon Protestant (WASP). They
were fighting for native whites and wanted
The Ku Klux Klan (K.K.K) white supremacy. They were: anti-black,
anti-Jew, anti-Catholic and anti-foreigners.
The Ku Klux Klan began in the Southern They were on a moral crusade to protect
States at the end of the American Civil War, decent American citizens.
in 1865. Its main aim was to terrorize black
people who were newly freed from slavery. How did the K.K.K treat other ethnic
Often time’s young men and even women groups?
were found beaten and hanging from trees or Native American Indians
poles or bridges. This was called Lynching.
In 1924, a law declared that all Indians ban
in the U.S. were full citizens of America.
 !97

However during the 1920’s, the whites before the Supreme Court. By 1919, this
authorities tried to destroy the Indian culture group claimed a membership of 91,000
and traditional way of life. Indian children people.
were forced to go to boarding schools and
children from the same tribe were separated
to destroy any sense of tribal identity.

Children found speaking their native

language were beaten .At these schools the
Indian children were thought to make fun of
their parents and their values. In fact, whole
tribes were forced to convert to Christianity
and many Indian traditions were banned e.g.
the sun dance, boys having long hair and
wearing traditional clothing.

The Blacks !
After slavery ended, blacks continued to

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experience discrimination. The Jim Crow
laws were put in place to legalize 2. The Universal Negro Improvement
segregation. Black people found it hard to Association (UNIA)
get fair treatment and were intimidated by Marcus Garvey, a native of Jamaica,
whites who tried to control them fear and founded this group. He argued that blacks all
terror. This situation was particularly bad in over the world were one people and that
the Southern States where most blacks lived, Africa was their homeland .He wanted
often from chronic poverty. blacks in America to return to Africa .His
slogan was “Black is beautiful”. He also
Popular Black Groups in the U.S. in the stated that black was the color of strength.
early 1900’s
He was a
1. The National Association for the brilliant and
advancement of Colored People charismatic
(NAACP) leader who
won the
In 1909 a black leader by the name of attention of the
W.E.B Dubois was among 60 prominent people with his
Americans who formed the NAACP. The ideas and by
purpose of the NAACP was to help blacks to his impressive
secure legal equality throughout the United parades where
States. NAACP lawyers both black and the members
white defended people accused of crimes wore blue and
simply because of their race. Within 10 red uniforms.
years, NAACP lawyers were winning cases
 !98

Marcus Garvey: Strong opposition to 1940.Garvey inspired a new black

Garvey came not only from the U.S. consciousness, which strongly influenced
government but from the NAACP. Later the Rastafarians.
Garvey was arrested and imprisoned on
fraud charges. In 1927, while maintaining
his innocence, he was deported to Jamaica.
He later moved to London where he died in

THE CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF THE WALL STREET CRASH

AND THE GREAT DEPRESSION- THEME 3

The economic boom of the 1920’s came to a

sudden end in October 29, 1929. In June THE CAUSES OF THE WALL STREET
1929 prices of stocks and shares had reached CRASH
new highs. The Stock Market seemed to be a 1. OVERPRODUCUCTION- New mass-
quick and easy way to get rich. The Stock production methods and mechanization

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Market is the place where stocks are traded. Meant that production of consumer goods
More and more people wanted to ‘play the had expanded enormously. In fact, there was
market’ (Buy and sell stocks). overproduction (more being made than
The Wall Street stock market (located in could be consumed).The market was
New York City) was not regulated. becoming saturated. There were simply too
Anybody could buy shares and they could many goods and not enough buyers.
be bought ‘on the margin’-This is when the
stock broker and the stock holder merge 2. POVERTY- The new found wealth of
their money to buy stocks, for example, the 1920’s was not shared by everyone.
people could buy $1000 worth of stocks for Almost 50 per cent of American families
only $100 and borrowed the rest from had an income less than $2000 a year –a
stockbroker. Buying on the margin became a level which purchased only the bare
common practice. People waited for the necessities of life. The major groups who
share prices to go up again and then resold were living in a state of poverty were:
their shares for a profit. It was usually easy Farmers, Blacks and New Immigrants.
to pay back the loan and still make money.
A. Farmers- Most of these people who
The day of the crash: By the summer of worked on the farms could barely make ends
1929 there were 20 million shareholders in meet. They had very little to make a living.
America and prices continued to rise. But in
October 1929, things began to change. Some B. Blacks- they were discriminated against
people realized that share prices had risen by many whites. They lived in poverty both
too high and wanted to sell before they fell. in the Northern and Southern States.
 !99

c. New Immigrants- they were given the 6. The Great Depression

lowest paid jobs.

3. TRADE- The USA was not able to sell

its surplus products to other countries,
particularly to Europe, which was a big THE GREAT DEPRESSION
market. European countries could not afford
American goods because: The shockwave from the Wall Street crash
was soon felt throughout America and
(a) Europeans owed the USA huge amounts eventually spread throughout the world. This
of money in war loans and were struggling crash led to a serious slump in production,
to pay these back. which was followed by the collapse of the
economy. This resulted in the Great
(b) The USA government had put high Depression. Although the crash played a
tariffs (taxes) on imported goods and crucial role in the Depression, it was not the
American businesses were so strong that main cause. The main cause was the
European companies could not sell their unstable economy.
products to America to earn the dollars to

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buy American goods.
Causes of the Great Depression
4. OVERSPECULATION- People began
investing in the Stock Market with the hope 1. SPECULATION- Due to
that the prices or shares would increase. speculation in the 1920’s, many
Many people began to invest in this way that people bought stocks with loan
the prices rose out of proportion to its real money and then they used these
value. stocks as collaterals (assets) for
buying more stocks. This caused the
EFFECTS OF THE WALL STREET stock market to boom unsteadily,
STOCK MARKET CRASH because it was based on borrowed
money and over speculation.
1. BANK FAILURES- One serious effect
of the Wall Street Stock Market crash was 2. THE UNBALANCE ECONOMY-
the collapse of many banks and the lost of National wealth was shared evenly,
millions of dollars by their depositors. Many instead most of the money went into
of those who saved their money instead of the hands of a few families who
investing now lost everything. By the end of saved or invested rather spending
1932, 20% of banks that were operating in their money on American goods,
1929 had now closed down. therefore supplies were greater than
demand.
2. Unemployment
3. Extreme Poverty
4. Suicide 3. The Stock Market Crash (Refer to
5. Mental Problems previous notes).
 !100

EVENTS OF THE GREAT

DEPRESSION
AGRICULTURAL DEPRESSION

Farmers and those employed in agriculture

were already suffering before the great
depression, and with new problems, it made
matters even worst. During the Great
Depression, Americans were buying less and
food prices had to be cut in half. The
Depression later caused the collapse in the
industries and businesses that served the
THE EFFECTS OF THE GREAT
farming communities. Thousands of farmers

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DEPRESSION
lost their livelihood and set out to the West
to places like California to seek jobs. The
1. UNEMPLOYMENT- The most
Migrants from Oklahoma were called
obvious effect of the Depression was
“Okies”and those from Arkansas were
the loss of jobs. In industrial areas,
called “Arkies”. The Grapes of Wrath, a
mostly the cities of the North and
book written by John Steinbeck gives
West, unemployment rose rapidly.
detailed description of the events of the
By 1933 the number of unemployed
Great Depression
had risen to at least 14 million. Many
factory and office workers who had
THE DUST BOWL OR DUST STORM
done so well out of the boom of the
1920s lost their jobs. Businesses, hit
The most visible evidence of how dry the
by falling demand, either laid off
1930’s were known as the Dust Bowl. Tons
workers or reduced their wages. At
of topsoil were blown off barren fields and
worst, whole factories were shut
carried in storm winds for 100 miles. The
down. During the Depression, car
driest regions of the plains were Southern
production was cut by 80%, and road
Colorado, South West Kansas, Oklahoma
and building construction fell by
and Texas. The dust storm got the name
92%.
“Black Sunday”, on April 19, 1935.On this
day, the worst winds blew over the area
Men and women who lost their jobs
and clocked at 60miles per hour.
rarely found other regular work.
Unemployment meant poverty. Men
would spend most of their time on
the streets, looking for jobs. Any
 !101

possibility of a job attracted huge The biggest show of discontent was the
lines of men, waiting patiently with bonus march of 1932.At the end of W.W. I,
the hope of being lucky. the surviving soldiers were promised a
bonus or pension that would be paid to them
2. HOMELESSNESS – After people lost in 1945.However with the immediate great
their jobs, they fell below in their mortgage depression, they wanted their bonus now.
payments. They were forced to sell their
homes or had them over to the bank. Those Some 15,000 men, women and children
who fell behind with their rent payment marched down into Washington and set up
were often evicted violently. These people camps using tents. Fearful for further
had no choice but to sleep in the trouble, Hoover ordered 700 soldiers to clear
parks,subways,shanty towns ,at the edge of the unarmed ex-servicemen and destroy
the cities their camps. As a result, The Bonus
or in shacks made of tins or cardboard or Marchers were dispersed (scattered) by the
any useful material from the garbage. These armed troops who used tanks and teargases.
people searched through waste bins or Their tents were set on fire while the teargas
joined the mile long line at the charity soup killed a baby and others were injured.
kitchen.

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The Bonus army marching in Washington

3. BANKING FAILURE – (check previous
notes) The Protesters built their tents in
THE BONUS MARCH Washington to let President Hoover know
they are not going anywhere


AMERICAN HISTORY NOTES- THEME 4

ROOSEVELT AND THE NEW DEAL POLICY

Depression began, Hoover put in place a

Herbert Hoover’s policies number of policies to get the country back
on track. Some of these included:
Herbert Hoover: Rugged individualism- 1. Lowering taxes
This was a doctrine, which teaches that 2. Cutting his own salary
success comes from self-reliance.
3. He urged employers to stop layoffs
4. He also urged Americans to take
voluntary actions to help those in
Need.
Herbert Hoover 5. He asked more Americans to give
strongly believed more to charity.
in this doctrine. 6. He asked Americans to provide jobs
Before the Great or people who were out of work.
 !102

7. He also asked the state to start more cousin and together they had six children.
public work projects such as building Eleanor Roosevelt became the First Lady
roads and bridges. 1933-1945.She supported her husband with
8. He formed the Reconstruction the New Deal programs. She was an active
Finance Cooperation (RFC). This advocate for the Civil Rights Movements.
was to give loans to banks, railroad Franklin Roosevelt became a democratic
companies, insurance companies and president from 1933-1945.He is seen as a
home mortgage association. hero because he was able to get the people
Even though Hoover had put in place all out of the greatest economic depression in
these policies to relieve America from the American history. In his first inaugural
Depression, none of them worked because address on March 4, 1933, he said, “The
America’s economy had fallen too low. only thing we have to fear is fear itself”.

FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT His Presidential Campaign

In 1932,in the midst of the Depression, there

was a presidential election. The two

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candidates were Herbert Hoover and
Franklin Delano Roosevelt. No president in
the history of America has ever suffered as
great a loss of popularity as did Hoover in
1929. His policies had failed to end the
Depression and many Americans felt that he
did not care about their suffering. The
Democrats on the other hand, confident of
victory, chose Roosevelt as their candidate.
Roosevelt was known as “FDR” and “The
Champ”. He was a successful governor in
He was born in New York State in 1882 and
New York and also the cousin of Theodore
died in 1945.His father was a wealthy
Roosevelt (also a president of the U.S.). He
banker in New York. Before he became
campaigned with cheerful confidence. He
president, he was stricken with
promised “Action and action now”.
poliomyelitis or polio. This was a virus that
affected the spinal cord and often leads to
He pledged bold persistence
paralysis of the lower extremities. It is
experimentation to end the Depression. His
believed that Roosevelt contracted polio on
government would provide relief for the
August 10, 1921, while on a visit to his
jobless, elderly and the farmers. His
summer home on Campobello Island, New
message of hope was what the people
Brunswick, Canada.
wanted to hear. His programs to end the
Great Depression were known as the “New
F.D.R. He was 39 years old. He was married
Deal Programs”.
to Anna Eleanor Roosevelt, a distant
 !103

He won the election with about 7 million

more votes than Hoover. This was the
biggest victory ever recorded in an
American presidential election. While
waiting to take office, Roosevelt organized
an unofficial group of advisors known as
“The Brain Trust”. This group was made
up of college professors and other
professionals who planned the details of the
“The New Deal Programs”.

(N.B) The president later chose Francis !

Perkins as his secretary of labor. She was
the first woman to serve in the U.S. cabinet. Roosevelt was famous for his frequent
She also helped to organize the new deal “Fire-side chats” to win the support of the
programs. Americans. He had three main aims:

The three “R’s”

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1. Relief- Relieve America of extreme
poverty e.g. feeding the starving and
preventing Americans from losing
their homes and farms.
2. Recovery- To revive the economy by
getting industries going and people
working again.
3. Reform- This was to make the U.S.
a better place for ordinary people by
! bringing in old age pension for the
elderly and relief for the sick and
needy.
Sorting out the banks
One of the closest advisors to the president
was Eleanor Roosevelt. She went around the When Roosevelt became president, his most
country from house to house and state to urgent problem was to rescue the banks.
state to find out what the people were Since 1930, over 5,000 banks were force to
thinking. Then she made reports to her close and the banking system was on the
husband. verge of collapse. This was because
depositors had withdrawn their money from
the banks and businesses were unable to pay
their loans. On May 6th 1933, two days after
Roosevelt took office, he declared a bank
holiday. He closed all of the nations’ banks
 !104

for a 4 days holiday. During this time,

congress passed the Banking Relief Act
(BRA). Under this act, the government 5.Public Works Administration (PWA)
examined all the banks. The banks that This was to create public works of real and
seemed financially stable were re-opened, lasting value e.g. Building Dams, bridges,
while those that were not remained closed. sewage systems and houses.

Unlike Hoover, Roosevelt was prepared to 6. Home Owners loans Cooperation

provide huge amounts of government money (HOLC)
to support the needy. During the “Hundred This agency loan money to over 1 million
Days” in 1933; he set up the first of a series people to help them reclaim their homes. It
of government agencies called “The was also to prevent others from losing their
Alphabet Agencies”. This was designed to farms.
give Americans much needed support.
7. National Recovery Administration
The First Alphabet Agencies (N.R.A)
This was designed to increase workers
1. Farm Credit Administration (FCA) wages in order for them to have more

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This made loans to a fifth (1/5) of all spending money .It also gave workers a
farmers so they would not loose theirs fairer deal in the work place e.g. better
farms. working conditions and shorter hours.

2. Agricultural Adjustment Agencies

(A.A.A)
This paid farmers to produce less crops,
which meant prices would go up so the
farmers income would double.

3. Civilian Conservation Cooperation !

(C.C.C)
This gave jobs to single men (and in rare 8. Federal Emergency Relief
cases women) between the ages of Administration (FERA)
18-25.They 
 People were given millions of dollars. This
lived in government camps and did jobs was to help especially the homeless,
such as clearing the land and planting trees penniless and the starving.
to stop soil erosion.
9. Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
4. Civilian Works Administration (CWA) This was set up to develop and revive an
This was designed to give as many jobs as entire region that had been devastated by the
possible to Americans e.g. building roads Dust Bowl.
and sweeping leaves in the parks.
10. Federal Security Act (F.S.A)
 !105

This was to prevent another loss of

confidence in the Stock Market. 1. Huey Long – He was the most
famous opponent of the New Deal
Programs. He was a senator of
Louisiana, who criticized Roosevelt
The Second New Deal Programs for not doing enough for the poor.
Most of the Alphabet Agencies were set up His alternative to the New Deal was
by 1935 but there was still a lot of work to called “Share our Wealth”. He was
be done. As a result, new agencies were known as “King Fish”. He gave
introduced from 1935-1937 himself the name “Kingfish” because
he said “I’m a small fish here in
1. Works Progress Administration (W.P.A) Washington, but I’m the Kingfish to
1935 the folks down in Louisiana. He was
This agency gave work to about 2million a larger than life politician who gave
people per year .e.g. Building roads, national attention to the state of
schools, bridges and tunnels Louisiana.

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2. Social Security Act (SSA) - 1935 Huey Long,
This gave pension to everyone over the age nicknamed
65 to support the handicaps and mothers “Kingfish”

with dependent children.
3. The Wagner Act (WA) - 1935 2.The
Senator Robert Wagner introduced an act to Republicans-
support workers who wanted to form a They believed
union, which prevented employers from that the
firing them.
 government
4. Farm Security Administration (FSA) should not interfere with the
-1937 economy or use tax payer’s money to
It gave loans to sharecroppers and tenant help the poor. They claimed that the
farmers to buy their own land. It also set up new deal only made people lazy.
labor camps to help migrant farmers to live They said that the new deal only
in better conditions. turned the unemployed into millions
of government employees.
OPPOSITION TO THE NEW DEAL
PROGRAM 3. Businessmen/Industrialists- They
opposed Roosevelt’s interference,
Some businesses and political leaders increase taxation and the attempt to
attacked Roosevelt’s programs. They improve workers rights.
complained that the government was Businessmen felt that Roosevelt was
interfering with people’s lives and business. giving too much power to trade
While some wanted less Reform, others unions.
wanted more.
 !106

4. The Supreme Court- There are 9

judges who make up the Supreme
Court. These judges ruled that NRA
and the AAA were illegal because
they interfered with individual states.
The 9 judges were mainly
Republicans.

5. The Liberty League- A number of

democrats joined with the !
Republicans to oppose the New
Deal. This group stated that the The Role of the Supreme Court
government was spending too much
money on the New Deal programs. This is the highest legal court in the U.S.
6. States Rights Supporters- They consisting of 9 judges. They served in this
were similar to the court as long as they desire subject to
Republicans .They believed that the change only if impeached. These courts are
federal government should not get courts of appeals, primarily hearing cases

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involved with the affairs of the that have already been tried. It also has the
states. final word on interpretation of all laws and
7. Dr Francis Townsend- He proposed of the constitution itself.
that everyone over the age of 60 be
allowed to get a pension of $200 per SUCCESSES OF THE NEW DEAL
month. This was provided that they PROGRAMS
spend all the money during that 1. Unemployment was lower than in
month and give up their jobs. This, 1933
he said would provide jobs for the 2. Confidence in the banks was restored
younger people. He accused 3. Roosevelt appointed some blacks to
Roosevelt of failing to tackle the important government jobs
problems of the poor. 4. There was greater protection for
8. Father Charles Coughlin- He was a workers(trade unions)
catholic priest who called for 5. Wages increased
government ownership of banks, 6. The social Security Act of 1935
utilities and natural resources. He helped the elderly and unemployed.
broadcasted his ideas on the radio on 7. Subsidies helped many farms to
Sunday evenings. survive
8. New highways and power stations
helped the rural areas.
9. America regained confidence in their
government.

FAILURES OF THE NEW DEAL

PROGRAMS
 !107

1. Unemployment remained at a high

level.
2. Racial segregation remained at a
high level.

AMERICAN HISTORY NOTES

THEME 5: RACIAL ISSUES IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Abraham Lincoln issued his Emancipation her seat to a white man. In the Southern
Proclamation the freedom for 4 million States such as discrimination was the law.
Black slaves on New Years day in 1965. For
a brief period following the American Civil When Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat
War, progressive new laws were enforced. she was arrested and charged with violations

ABBA
These laws gave former slaves the rights to of the city laws. Her simple act though not
go anywhere and do anything but “old the first of its kind, united 45 thousands
orders die hard”. Gradually, through means Blacks into a successful Bus Boycott. With
such as poll taxes, segregation laws (Jim the help of ministers such Martin Luther
Crow and The Black Codes) and out right King Jr. and the NAACP, the boycott lasted
intimidation, which caused the white for over a year. The boycott ended after the
Southerners to regain control over the Black Supreme Court came up with a ruling that
population. On December 1,1955 and a
simple word “No” set into motion a series
of events that would change American
perception resulting in the rebirth of the
Civil Rights Movement.
(N.B) The Black Code or Code Noir was
laws established by the French in 1685 to
govern the treatment of enslaved blacks on
the plantation.

The Bus Boycott of 1955- The Rosa Parks

Story
When Rosa Parks said “No”, it ignited the
long patient Blacks of Montgomery,
Alabama in an almost volcanic show of
Solidarity (Unity). Rosa Parks, 42 years old
had refused the bus driver’s order to give up
 !108

segregation on buses was unconstitutional The

(illegal). Martin Luther King Jr. a 24-year-
old minister was seen as a hero who led out
in the boycott.

RACIAL ISSUES AT LITTLE ROCK

CENTRAL HIGH

At Little Rock, Arkansas in September 1957,

the Black children bore the brunt of racial
segregation. The U.S. had passed a law
Blacks were prevented from entering school
stating that it was unconstitutional for racial
on that by the guards and the crowd. In the
segregation to take place in schools. This
third week after the guards left, the black
came as a result of the Brown vs. the Board
students were able to go inside but were sent
of Education case. Progress towards
home early as the angry mob raged in the

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integration was very slow in most of the
streets and injured several journalists. It was
Southern States.
at this time that President Dwight
Eisenhower sent in Paratroopers to escort
In Little Rock, the School Board finally
the nine Black students to classes. This
decided to go ahead and accept its first set of
harassment continued all year hence the
Blacks at Little Rock High School. Nine
Paratroopers were at the school
Black students were accepted to attend
for an entire year.
Central High School, which had a
population of over 2,000 white students. The
The Life of Martin Luther King Jr.
mood in the city of 10,000 whites grew ugly
He was born in Atlanta Georgia in 1929.He
as opening day drew nearer. Governor
later graduated from Morehouse College
Orval Faubus, desperate to please the
(Atlanta) his bachelors of arts and later
people, decided to surround the school with
graduated from Crosier Theological
guards’ men. The Board then instructed the
seminary and Boston University where he
9 students to go home and to return the
obtained a PhD in 1955.He was the son of a
following day.
Baptist Pastor at the Ebenezer Baptist
church in Atlanta. He too became a Baptist
Eight students return the following day on a
Minister for a church in Montgomery,
bus escorted by officials from the
Alabama in 1954.
NAACP. The ninth student, Elizabeth
Eckford, walked by herself through the
In 1955, he led out in the Bus Boycott of
angry mob to school.
Segregated city bus lines. In 1956,he gained
a major victory as a civil rights leader when
the Montgomery buses began to operate on a
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desegregated basis. He later organized the Malcolm X

Southern Christian Leadership was born as
conference (SCLC). This is an American Malcolm
Civil Rights Organization. This gave him a Little in
base to pursue further civil rights activities. Nebraska in
1925. He
was the son
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. of Earl
His philosophy of non-violent resistance led little, a
to his arrest on many occasions from Baptist
1950s-1960s. He spearheaded the august preacher
1963 march on Washington where he and his wife, Louise. His early life was
delivered his famous speech” I Have a difficult as his father was killed by the
Dream”. This march brought together more K.K.K and his mother suffered a nervous
than 200.000 people .In 1964; he was breakdown. The welfare department later
awarded The Nobel Peace Prize. During took her 8 children away from her and
this time, he criticized America for leading Malcolm was placed in a foster home and
out in the Vietnam War. later a reformatory school. At the age of 17,

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he moved to Harlem, New York. It was here
that he turned to a life of crime including
drug dealing and arm robbery. At the age of
20; he received a sentence of 10 years for
burglary.
On
April 4, When Malcolm X was released from prison
1968, in 1952, he joined the nation of Islam where
King he dropped off his last name, which was
was considered a slave and became Malcolm X.
shot He later married Betty Saunders and
and together they had six daughters.
killed His Beliefs
as he While most Black leaders spoke resistance,
stood on the Balcony of the Lorraine Motel Malcolm X preached the opposite. He stated
in Memphis. James Earl Ray was convicted that “non-violence was the philosophy of the
of the murder. He later died in prison. His fools”. In response to King’s famous speech,
wife was the late Coretta Scott King “I Have a Dream”, Malcolm said “While
(1927-2006) .He had four children Yolanda King is having a dream, the rest of us
King (1955-2007; she was 55), Martin Negroes are having a nightmare”. He
Luther King 111, Dexter King and Bernice believes blacks should develop their own
King society and ethical values. He also believed
that African Americans should reject
integration or cooperation with whites.
The life of Malcolm X
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during this time that he made a pilgrimage (a

On one occasion, Elijah Mohammad spiritual journey that all Muslims should
silenced Malcolm X for his statement about make) to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. When he
the assassination of the U.S. president, John returned to the U.S., He had a new outlook
F Kennedy. When the president was killed, on integration (to unite). This time instead of
he said “Chickens coming home to roost”. preaching about African Americans, he had
This was a repayment for Americans a message for all races.
continuous failure to end racial cruelty. After several attempts in trying to
assassinate Malcolm X, Elijah Muhammad
finally succeeded while at a speaking
engagement on February 21, 1965, several
gunmen (members of the nation of Islam)
went up on stage and shot Malcolm X
several times.

The Black power Movement

This was a movement that was started in the

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1960’s, to build strength amongst blacks
through political, economical and
educational organizations throughout the
U.S. Stokely Carmichael, a black activist
coined the term “Black Power”.

Elijah Muha-
mmad Two black athletes showed the “Black
power” sign and hung their heads in
Malcolm X shame as the American national anthem
began loosing was played at the Olympics. This
faith in Elijah movement also boosted racial pride.
Muhammad African style of dress came into fashion
when he and “Black is beautiful”, became a
realized that popular slogan.
this man was Picture of Stokely Carmichael
having sexual
relationship
with as many
as 6 women in
the nation of Islam. Some of these
relationships resulted in children. After his
comment about the president, things got
even worst. In March 1964, he terminated
his relations with the Nation of Islam. It was
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Mexican Americans- In the 1920’s, ethnic

In 1965, six days of looting and burning groups entered the U.S such as the
was followed by a traffic arrest in the Watts Mexicans. They came to the U.S in search of
district of Los Angeles. Over the next three jobs in the South West especially on the
years, riots broke out in the Black railroads and in agriculture. It was easy for
neighborhoods in New York and Detroit. Mexicans to gain entry into the U.S because
the only thing that separates Mexico from
the U.S is a borderline. The Mexicans were
willing to do anything in order to make a
better living in the U.S. Some worked on the
plantations while others worked in the
factories. These people worked for very
little pay and for long hours simply because
they were illegal immigrants, unskilled
workers and often illiterate because of their
language barriers.

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Native American Indians – In the 1930’s,
President Dwight Eisenhower wanted Native
! Americans Indians to enter the main stream
These riots caused thousands of injuries and of American life. He asked congress to aid
death and about 112 billions in damages as federal funding to Indian reservations. He
more than 100 cities were in ruins. also hoped that Indians could leave
reservations. However they found it hard to
The Black Panther Party (BPP) get skilled jobs and also missed their homes
and culture. After a while many of them
Bobby Seale and Huey Newton founded this returned to the reservations.
party in October 1, 1966. They were both
students’ activists at a Junior college in The first North Americans were the Native
Oakland, California. They were influenced North American Indians. They suffered
by the teachings of Malcolm X and the greatly during the 19th century at the hands
Black Power Movement. The Black of the U.S. government. They were driven
Panthers called for restructure of the off their land and placed on reservations. In
American society to achieve social, political the process, whites did everything they
and economical equality based on socialism. could to destroy the tradition Native
The Black Panthers believed in the concept American way of life. The Number
that black people had the right to defend the dwindled from 1 million to 237,000 in the
south against racist authorities by any means 1900’s.
necessary, even violence.
Some Indians felt that they just had enough
Racial Issues against other ethnic groups and decided to destroy the whites. As a
result a civil war broke out between the
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Indians and the whites. The Native 1960’s the Jews went into trade and
American Indians later came up with their established many other businesses.
own movement, which was called “The
American Indian Movement”. In 1968, Programs the government implemented
they came up with the slogan called “Red to end racial discrimination in the U.S.
Power”.
The government has been trying since the
The Chinese- the Chinese came to the U.S. 1860’s to end racial discrimination in the
during the gold rush and later they continued U.S. In 1861 to 1865, we see where
to migrate to the U.S. to set up jobs along President Abraham Lincoln fought long and
the west coast. The Chinese provide most of hard to end slavery. He fought against the
the labor force on the rail roads and set up confederates (Southern States) who tried
drain, swamps and built reefs. Most of the very hard to hold on to slavery. In 1865,
Chinese who came were men whose families Abraham succeeded and slavery ended but
remained in china. They had hoped to make this did not end discrimination against the
enough money and eventually move their blacks.
families from china to the U.S. They did not
face a lot of discrimination.They were very In the 1960’s we also see that the

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good at business and as such they opened up government under their leadership of John F.
food stores, restaurants and other retailed Kennedy gave support to the civil rights
stores. movement. In 1963 Kennedy made a speech
in which he called for equality. He wanted
Puerto Ricans- Puerto Ricans also faced all Americans to be treated the same no
similar problems when they migrated to the matter what their colors were.
U.S. Puerto Ricans have been American
citizens since 1917 and in 1952 they became He later submitted a civil rights bill to
a commonwealth protected by the U.S. congress. This bill was to outlaw every kind
When they went to the U.S., they faced of segregation in the U.S. However,
discrimination with housing and Kennedy was killed in 1963 as a result of his
employment. However with time, the Puerto commitment to the black population and
Ricans began to receive better treatment. before this bill could become a reality. After
Kennedy’s death, Lyndon Johnson became
Jews – The Jews like many immigrants the new president of the U.S. It was this
went to the U.S. to escape persecution in president who passed the Civil rights act of
their homeland. For hundreds of years, the 1964 and 1968. These acts protected Negro
Jews lived in Europe and the Middle East. voting rights and made racial discrimination
They were held together by their shared in jobs and housing illegal.
heritage. Between 1880 and the1900’s about
3,000.000 Jews migrated to the U.S. In the
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