6 Facts About Slavery in Trinidad That Shaped the Society

Amerindian Influence Amerindian (Caribs and Arawaks) people existed in Trinidad for as long as 6,000 years before the arrival of Christopher Columbus and numbered at least 40,000 at the time of Spanish settlement in 1592. The Amerindians also gave Trinidad and Tobago its first major rebellion: the Arena Uprising of 1699, led by Chief Hyarima. Hyarima's military prowess and relentless determination to rid his country of Spanish colonists made for an able leader and a great warrior. Unfortunately, the Amerindians could not survive the disease, warfare, murder, forced labor and rape brought on by the Spanish. It would lead to their near extermination. Today, few full-blooded descendants remain. Spanish Rule Nearly a century would pass before Spain established Trinidad's first European community, San Jose de Oruna (St. Joseph). In 1783, the King of Spain established the Cedula of Population to increase population on the island by primarily encouraging planters from neighboring French-colonized islands to come with their enslaved men and women. By 1784, a steady stream of immigration was established, and the population of Puerto d’España (Port of Spain) increased from under 3,000 to 10,422 in five years. In 1797, the Trinidad population stood at 18,627; 2,500 of which were "white," 5,000 were "free Blacks and people of color," 10,000 were enslaved Africans, and 1,082 Amerindians. British Rule Trinidad was transferred to the hands of the British after an amicable negotiation with the Spanish rulers. Slavery continued under British colonial rule with enslaved Africans working in the sugar fields and plantations. Slavery in Trinidad lasted for a shorter period of time, but it was no less brutal than other Caribbean countries -- about 50 years from the 1780s to the 1830s, compared to Barbados' and Jamaica's 200-year history of slavery. Unlike Trinidad, Tobago was under the rule of several European colonizers, including France and Holland. The island was reportedly invaded at least 22 times during its history. British established rule in 1814. In January 1889, Trinidad and Tobago united as one nation under British rule. Enslaved Africans Fought for Their Freedom While Trinidad did not have as many uprising as other Caribbean countries, there were enslaved men and women who sought to put an end to slavery. In 1790, an enslaved African by the name of Sandy, along with six others, attacked a military post. The revolt spread to different parts of Tobago and forced the British authorities on the island to call in battleships from Grenada to quell the revolt. Sandy and some of his followers were never captured. In 1822, another resistance broke out on the Plein Palais Estate. The enslaved rebelled against the harsh working conditions, under the pretense of demanding three-day holidays in the week. Indentured Labor after Emancipation After the British government abolished slavery in 1834, other groups of people were brought to Trinidad as indentured servants. Between 1842 and 1917, over 170,000 Asian Indians, Chinese and Portuguese (from Madeira) were enticed into working on the islands' vast plantations. Today, East Indians constitute about 45 percent of the total population, almost exactly the same as Africans. Lasting Social Effect of Slavery on Trinidad's Society -- a Deep Racial Divide The role of European planters implementing indentured servitude had a tremendous effect on shaping social attitudes in colonial Trinidad. For instance, Blacks and East Indians were separated geographically and culturally. This separation fostered an atmosphere that perpetuated the negative stereotypes initiated by the European planters. The planter elite rationalized the division of labor by claiming that Africans were poor workers, lazy, irresponsible and frivolous while East Indians were characterized as industrious, docile, obedient and manageable. Later, some East Indians also adopted this view of the enslaved Africans. There was little if any intermarriage and little intermating between the two groups. These divisions dictated the course of national identity and nationalist politics today.

Related Stories

Spanish, British Companies Find Huge Gas Field In Caribbean

Small Earthquakes Shake Up Four Caribbean Islands Over Four Days

Major Jamaica Exporter Boycott Trinidad and Tobago Goods Following Border Dispute