Conditions in Jamaica in the 1860's

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Conditions in Jamaica in the 1860's

In the 1860's the conditions in Jamaica were very bad. The small

farmers and plantation owners were affected by drought. The small

farms also had to pay greater taxes and were only allowed to farm poor

soil because no one would sell fertile land to black people. They were

victims of injustice from the government and planters. A petition was

sent to Queen Victoria in Britain because of the amount of protests.

Bogles Response

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Paul Bogle was a farmer, Baptist lay preacher and an election agent

for George William Gordon, who was a spokesman for the poor people who

had no vote and spoke against Governor Eyre and his policies. Paul

Bogle led a delegation to see Eyre, who refused to see him. Gordon

began to collect money to send a delegation to England. The governor

told the Custos to send 8 policemen to arrest Bogle when he heard a

rumour that he was forming an army to drive the Europeans out of the

district. Bogle and his friends captured 3 of the policemen and sent

them back with a message that they would to Morant Bay the next day

and discuss injustices. Bogle and 300 other armed men were told not to

enter and when they disobeyed a fight broke out and 27 people

including the Custos were killed. Governor Eyre declared marital law.

The militia and soldiers went on rampage searching for Bogle and the

other men.

Short Term Consequences

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After Bogles response some of the short-term consequences included

that over 1000 peoples homes had been burnt to the ground, Gordon was

arrested and was hanged on 23 October with no evidence that he had

been involved. Bogle was also hanged. About 1180 black people were

either flogged killed or hanged.

Long-Term Consequences

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Some of the long-term consequences included that Eyre was recalled to

Britain, at the end of the 19th century very limited democracy was

restored and the British government realised that

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