Introduction to Colonialism The case of Trinidad

The History Discovered in 1492 by Christopher Columbus Colonized by the Spanish, French, Portuguese and British With the advent or beginning of the triangle trade- many slaves were brought to the Caribbean to work on the sugar cane plantations Mono-cropping: When one crop is grown in mass quantities for profit Mono crops are more commonly known as cash crops

Slavery Historically, pictures and recounts of slaves being taken in their beds at night and entire villages being plundered was the understanding of how slaves were captured The accounts were bloody, vile and horrific with mass killings as well as rapes and torture Currently, records have indicated that slave sources came from the following situations: Village chiefs who captured slaves of their own through battle were traded or sold to “the white man” and sometimes even African born “head hunters” Head hunters would randomly capture men and women who were alone or in small groups Head hunters would later invade villages at the height of the demand for slave labour

Conditions in the New World Bought and sold like cattle Sold for particular jobs- domestic vs field Further separation of status– what effects? Separated from tribesmen due to fear of rebellion Beaten, starved and over worked Raped, children were taken and sold Considered uncivilized, dirty, immoral, ungodly and looking to be “saved” Treated like animals and deprived of education and other simple rights- such as bathroom breaks or water allowances

The Case of Trinidad Lived in Barracks Men and woman lived separately Women were owned by the slave master and their offspring usually “sold” or given a position of power Ideas that whiteness meant purity and blackness meant evil- this concept is know as BINARY OPPOSITES Ideas of superiority based on skin colour and Christianity Banned from practicing religion or song Carnival was one product of slavery under the French colonists Slaves banished to their rooms for “Dimache Fetes” (Sunday parties)- done by the French Slaves would mock and steal pieces of cloth to make elaborate versions of costumes and have their own “party”

Slave Barracks

The first depictions of “Dimache Fete”

Abolition When slavery was abolished, the British still needed labourers to complete their sugar production Chinese, Lebanese, Portuguese (1806)and Indians(1845) were recruited Most were usually the poorer people of their societies or ones looking to “escape” from situations back home Told that the Caribbean and the New World were awaiting to be conquered with many riches

The Chinese, Portuguese, Syrians and Lebanese Were the first to arrive in the latter half of the 18 th century Told that they were to find riches Could not labour in the sun, not accustomed to the labour intensive work and expectations Colonialists realized they needed more man power and looked to already existing colonies in the EAST Since most of the Chinese etc came via contracts- most opted to stay and open small businesses

The Indians: The solidification The very first shipment of Indians came the Caribbean in the 1850’s More specifically, in Trinidad they arrived via boat on May 30 th 1845 The conditions: their contract Five year term Trade off: passage back home or land

The Rift Indians were “preferred” as workers Very hardworking, simple, quiet, humble and considered meek The concept of the “coolie” comes out of this time The African separation and anger situation The we vs. them ideal

Scape goating Whose fault? Them not us! Separation Blame Concepts of preference (light skin) Power structure Colour, race, money, religion The Result