Emancipation and apprenticeship

OBJECTIVE(S):

1. Outline five clauses of the Emancipation Act of 1833.

2. Assess the apprenticeship system in the British Caribbean.

1. Which of the following were provisions of the Emancipation Act of 1833?

i. Compensation to planters for the loss of their enslaved labour.

ii. Complete freedom for female slaves under 16 years of age. iii. Complete freedom for slaves under six years of age. iv. The establishment of the apprenticeship system.

a) i and ii only b) ii and iii only c) i, ii and iii only d) i, iii and iv only

2. The Act of Emancipation came into effect on: a) August 1, 1833 b) August 1, 1834 c) August 1, 1838 d) August 1, 1840

3. Why did the British government grant money to slave owners in the colonies in 1833? a) To assist planters in buying machinery. b) To compensate planters for the loss of labour. c) To give planters a ‘golden handshake’. d) To help plantation owners pay ex-slaves.

4. Stipendiary magistrates were sent from England to the British Caribbean to: a) Abolish slavery forever in the British colonies. b) Make demands for wages for the ex-slaves. c) Settle disputes between planters and apprentices. d) Supervise the sale of sugar after Emancipation.

5. The grant from the British government to slave owners was: a) £200,000 b) £200,000,000 c) £20,000,000 d) £2,000

6. The majority of stipendiary magistrates were: a) Members of the priesthood. b) Retired army and navy officers. c) Members of the anti-slavery society. d) West Indian militia officers. 7. Stipendiary magistrates found it difficult to carry out their duties for all of the following reasons EXCEPT:

a) They were persecuted by the planters. b) They were few in number. c) They were easily bribed by the planters. d) They were estate owners.

8. The period of apprenticeship for non-praedial slaves in the British Caribbean was scheduled to terminate in: a) 1834 b) 1836 c) 1838 d) 1840

9. During the period of apprenticeship in the British Caribbean: a) There was no work for apprentices on the estates. b) Apprentices were paid for 40½ hours of the working week.

c) Apprentices were not paid under any circumstances.

10. During the period of apprenticeship, the treadmill was used for: a) Crushing cane b) Stirring cane juice c) Keeping apprentices fit d) Punishing apprentices

11. All of the following are ways by which planters controlled apprentices on the estates EXCEPT:

a) Making it illegal to leave the estate without written permission.

b) Refusing to give customary allowances.

c) Spreading the 40½ hours of compulsory labour over four days.

d) Forbidding apprentices to raise livestock.

12. What were the objectives behind the apprenticeship system?

i) To prevent a large-scale movement of ex-slaves from off the estates. ii) To increase labour productivity on sugar plantations. iii) To prevent wide-scale disorders on the estates. iv) To facilitate the transition from slavery to freedom.

a) i only b) ii, iii, iv only c) i, ii, iii and iv d)i, iii and iv only

ANSWERS

1. D

2. B

3. B

4. C

5. C

6. B

7. D

8. C

9. B 10.D

11. C

12. D