1e.+Development+of+the+Peasantry

__**Development of the Peasantry.**__

The second half of the 19th Century was a major step in the lives of the ex-slaves. They struggled to make an existence for themselves in a society that still had many of the prejudices of the pre-emancipation era. Indeed despite the fact that their legal position had changed, their socio- economic positions changed very little.

The ex-slaves recognized that their economic futures depended on their own efforts and began to purchase parcels of land and squat on others in order to grow crops that they had grown on slave plots. The peasantry grew out of this effort as the black population sought economic freedom from the sugar estates.

The development of the free village system ensured that the black population could become increasingly independent and self-sufficient. The numerous crops that were planted on a large scale by the emerging peasant population in the Caribbean were crops that had been in existence before the abolition of slavery. However, after slavery several of these crops became the main income earners for the peasants as they tried to make money planting crops on a small to medium scale.

Peasant farming by ex slaves and later by east Indian indentured labourers is what led from sugar cane **Monoculture** (planting of one cash crop) to **Agricultural Diversification** (planting of a variety of cash crops.This agricultural diversification was seen immediately after the abolition of slavery because of the peasant farming of the ex-slaves. (**n.b The diversification into manufacturing came in the early to mid 20th Century.)**

For the purpose of peasant farming, ex slaves sought out the only land available, in the hills and mountains. Unfortunately, this land is unsuitable for crop agriculture, having thin and erodible soils.

Individual peasant farms average less than 5 acres (2 hectares) in area, often in disconnected plots. A variety of crops are raised, including fruits such as mangoes, plantains, akee, and breadfruit; vegetables such as yams, potatoes, and okra; sugarcane; and coffee.

The islands in the British West Indies mainly grew the same crops. However only a few were able to emerge as leaders. Islands such as Jamaica had adequate shipping arrangements as wellas enough peasants and plantations supplying banana for export. The export figures for this fruit continued to rise into the early 1900s and it was established as an important industry. The island of Barbados was still fairly concentrated in sugar. Trinidad and St Kitts did not put as much acreage into these other crops for several reasons. The islands' size as well as the smaller size of their peasantry were also deterrents.

__**Factors that encouraged peasant farming in the Caribbean**__

__1. Availability of land in larger colonies such as Trinidad, Jamaica and British Guiana__
 * Ex-slaves pooled their money to purchase plots of land.
 * Missionaries bought large tracts of land and divided it into smaller plots and sold it to the ex-slaves at a lower price. This also acted as an incentive to ex-slaves to convert to Christianity and to become members of the Christian churches


 * Many ex-slaves squatted on Crown land where available.


 * Some estates were abandoned and the land sold at a low cost to the ex-slaves.

__2. Experience as 'small scale farmers' during enslavement.__ > Enslaved Africans were allowed to cultivate provision grounds and this experience may have helped convince the to move away from the plantations.


 * Some had sold their produce in the Sunday markets and were able to save small sums of money which helped to buy land when they became free.

__3. Work of missionaries.__ > Missionary groups assisted in the acquisition of land


 * They helped in the growth of the free villages


 * In Jamaica, Baptist ministers assisted by bargaining with landowners to get land at a lower cost.


 * n.b. Blacks acquired land despite all hindrances. In Jamaica by 1860, nearly 40% of land was owned by blacks. In St Vincent by 1857, 485 hectares of land was owned by blacks.**

__**Factors that hindered the development of a West Indian peasantry**__

> There were problems with the acquisition of land due to high rents, lack of Crown Land and planters' reluctance to sell land.


 * Planters charged high rents on land and the peasants could not afford those.


 * Planters used legislation, such as the Squatters Act and the Tendency Act, to make it difficult for peasants to acquire land.

__**Research Questions**__

1. Imagine that you are a Baptist preacher stationed in Jamaica in the 1880's. Write an essay explaining the economic contribution of the free peasants to the Caribbean society between 1838 and 1876.

Your answer should explain at least 6 economic contributions.