Forms of Resistance

Forms of Resistance

Resistance took the form of insurrectionary and non-insurrectionary methods.

a. Insurrectionary methods tended to be violent and caused more damage to the plantation and whole system of slavery. Such methods included:

1. Murder of plantation owner(s) - poisoning was one such method used by the domestics.

2. Destruction of property - damage to plantation tools and machinery done in such a manner so as to appear accidental. Over a prolonged period, this caused considerable cost to the plantation in terms of repairs.

3. Rebellions.

4. Running away/maroonage.

b. Non-insurrectionary methods were a prolonged non-violent approach to resisting slavery. Such methods included:

1. Malingering/pretending to be ill or exaggerating any existing ailment or sometimes even injuring themselves.

2. Gynaecological - a) exaggerating female complaints b) prolonging the period of gestation, sometimes opting to breastfeed babies for as long as two years. This was used as an excuse to stay away from work.

3. Pretending not to understand the language to evade working.

4. Suicide - this was common among the Igbos.

Question 1

a. Discuss briefly two (2)active and two(2) passive forms of slave resistance (10 marks)

b. Citing examples, discuss fully three (3) strategies employed by ex-slaves to aid their

economic survival after leaving the plantations. (15 marks)

(Total 25 marks)

Question 1

a. Active resistance was the more violent form of slave protest; usually a last resort. This

included massive destruction of owner’s property, plots to murder, revolt etc.

Passive resistance was something that slaves did either to annoy or hurt the master or the person

in command. Some examples of passive resistance are sabotage, refusing to work, singing, lying

and poisoning. Not easily detectable

b.• Skilled craftsmen migrated to towns and sought jobs.

• Ex-slaves resorted to squatting on crown lands; started small –scale farming

• Creation of new ordered social structures in free villages with the understanding that

ownership of land was essential to independence

• Transformation of monocrop culture to economies based on mixed crops – reintroducing

diversity and control over their lives

• Formation of cooperatives and purchase of whole estates

• Migration to other islands

Development of co-operation and caring in rural communities