Jamaica Research Paper

Slavery and plantation life in the British colonies were especially complex systems when compared to those in areas under Latin rule, and historically have played a large part in molding more modern lifestyles on the island. One can understand many modern social structures by looking into the history of Jamaica and how the large role of sugar and other plantations shaped the island into what it is today. By looking at the historic social structures on plantations in Jamaica one can begin to make sense of the rebellious nature and sense of identity that formed and led to the almost constant stream of rebellions and revolts that took place. The plantation system can somewhat be characterized as a total institution in which the life of the slave was completely controlled by the planter (Higman, 1). The plantations in Jamaica dominated their own territory and represented “a kind of isolated state with the ingredients for the development of a creole perception of community and sense of place” (Higman, 1). With regard to the idea of “complete” control, however, it is important to note that the large degree of absenteeism among plantation masters or owners led to the appointment of overseers to supervise the slaves; these overseer’s laziness led to “a relaxation of tyranny outside of the work situation” which meant slaves

The slave population of Jamaica, unlike other areas often times failed to reproduce itself and thus slaves from Africa were continuously having to be brought in (Patterson, 275). Prior to 1807 slave-owners “regarded buying slaves rather than breeding them as a necessary practice” (Morgan, 231). During the eighteenth century Jamaica alone imported 575,000 Africans in an attempt to increase the enslaved population, but due to the high mortality rate the population only increased by approximately 250,000 (Morgan,