Demerara Revolt, 1823

Question 1

when where

Answer 1

demrara guyana, monday august 18 1823
The largely non-violent rebellion was brutally crushed by the colonists under governor John Murray. 100’s of slaves murdered
Only a handful of whites were killed during the Demerara Rebellion. The rebels locked up owners, managers, and overseers on thirty-seven plantations, who did not flee to Georgetown, the punishment after the rebellion which lasted a max of 72 hrrs was severe, 100’s were killed and beheaded

Question 2

reasons for revolt

Answer 2

1. the slaves thought they were given their freedom and the planters were withholding it from them
2. the slaves misunderstood the Amelioration proposals, they did not understand the writings of the Anti-Slavery Society
3. in addition to the points above, the domestic slaves overheard the planters talking about the proposals making them believe even more that their freedom was being withheld
4. when sailors arrived at the harbour, they shared false info to he slaves when they conversed with them

Question 3

slaves’ plans to gain freedom

Answer 3

1. there was to be no violence
2. they were to seize all arms, confine whites in stocks and ask for the New Law
3. they would explain their behaviour to the governor when he came to ask

Question 4

plan sold out

Answer 4

after a house slave by the name Joseph Packard betrayed the plot of the revolt to his master, when the governor was informed he and a party of soldiers when down to meet with the slaves and asked them what they wanted, in reply, the rebel slaves said their freedom. He told them the amelioration was intended for them and that he would be happy to speak with them the next morning, over 13,000 slaves ambushed them and took their firearms. Two overseers were killed.

Question 5

measures taken against slaves

Answer 5

1. martial law was proclaimed and kept for months
2. two hundred slaves were killed in a general melee/confusion
3. leaders were hung and 47 slaves were hanged
4. some slaves received punishments of 700-1000 lashes from whips
5. rebels, gladstone(arrested and hanged) and his father(shot by Indians) quamina tried to have the operation conducted with little bloodshed however they were later executed

Question 6

factors which led to failure of revolt

Answer 6

1. lack of unity, many emphaised non-violence as they were christians
2. altough they were armed, they were indecisive as they wished to avoid violence
3. lacked proper training whereas the troops were better trained armed and organised
4. the whites acted promptly, troops were mobilised against the insurgents

Question 7

consequences/impact

Answer 7

1. reverend john smith was imprisoned and sentenced to be hang for failing to advise the authorities about the rebellion. he petitioned the King for clemency which the king pardoned him but it came two months late and he died in prision, from an illness worsened by the conditions of the cell
2. john smith’s death and the rebellion added to the humanitarian cause (movement towards emancipation). The demerara revolt was published and helped to change public opinions against slavery.
3. many slaves (hundreds) were slaughtered and defeated
4. the fear and paranoia among the whites increased