The Influence of the British in the Caribbean (SQA National 5 History): Revision Note

Summary

Britain colonised many islands and territories in the Caribbean. These became part of the wider British Empire. Like other areas in the Empire, the indigenous people lost their land, their rights and, in many cases, their lives to the British who exploited the land for their own gain. 

The arrival of British colonists brought drastic changes to the Caribbean islands. Indigenous populations were overwhelmed by warfare, enslavement and disease. Millions of enslaved Africans people were brought to the Caribbean via the triangular trade. Throughout this time period, British people made up fewer than 10% of the population of Caribbean islands. However, British people dominated the Caribbean Islands politically, socially and economically.

A tiered system emerged on the islands which granted full political rights to the small British populations and their descendants. Enslaved African people and indigenous people had no rights. Whilst some limited rights were given to those of mixed heritage.

Economic influence

• British people who moved to the Caribbean included plantation owners and their families, overseers, bookkeepers, accountants, lawyers and doctors

• Others worked in the British Civil Service

  • The majority of these people lived lives of luxury in the Caribbean islands

  • A stark contrast to the hardship, poverty and violence faced by enslaved and indigenous people

• Those who owned plantations made vast profits from the forced labour of enslaved people

• Almost all the profits created on plantations increased the wealth of British families

• British institutions like the Church of England owned several plantations in the Caribbean and made significant profits as a result

• Plantation owners built roads and expanded ports to make the transportation of sugar and other goods back to Britain easier

  • However, there was very little other investment in the Caribbean

  • The economic dominance of the British created long-lasting problems for the Caribbean islands

Political influence

• The Caribbean Islands were run by British-born Viceroys or governors

  • For example, Sir Archibald Campbell, a Scottish landowner, was appointed Governor of Jamaica in 1781

• Governors lived in vast British-style mansions

  • These were a visible display of the wealth and power held by the British

• Under British rule, each island developed a distinct legal and political system

  • Legal and political rights were only granted to the white population

• In larger islands like Jamaica, legislative assemblies were established

  • These were responsible for passing laws and raising local taxes

• On Caribbean islands, white men dominated the courts and legal systems

  • Juries were only selected from the white male population

• Each island established its own set of 'Slave Codes'

  • These legalised the violence of plantations and denied enslaved African people even the most basic of human rights

  • Plantation owners had the right to beat, rape, torture and even kill enslaved African people without facing any legal consequences 

• Due to the sexual exploitation of enslaved African women by white enslavers, a so-called ‘coloured’ (a term used at the time) population emerged

  • These were people of mixed racial heritage who were often more likely to have freedom granted to them

    • The term ‘free people of colour’ referred to anyone of mixed heritage who had purchased or been granted freedom from enslavement

    • Their rights were still limited - they were not allowed to serve on juries, to vote or to hold public office

Social influence

• Two very different societies emerged in the Caribbean

  • White society had access to leisure facilities, entertainment and luxurious homes 

  • Enslaved people were provided only the most basic accommodation and were banned from most social spaces

• British people in the Caribbean had access to taverns, coffee houses, markets, libraries and theatres

  • These facilities were exclusively for the use of white people

• Plantation owners and their families built Great Houses

  • These became the centre point of social life for white colonists, hosting grand balls and dinner parties

• In contrast, enslaved people were forced to live in ‘slave huts’ 

  • These were basic wooden huts, often with no furniture, flooring and only the most basic of provisions

• British families brought their religion with them to the Caribbean

  • This became an important part of social life

• Plantation owners forced enslaved people to convert to Christianity and sometimes built churches

  • Enslaved people were not allowed to attend the same church services as white colonists

• Plantation owners tried to prevent enslaved people from learning to read or write