The positive and negative effects of indentureship on the british caribbean between the period of 1838 and 1921 free essay sample

According to readings in the Caribbean Studies, indentureship is a contract labor system in which the workers were waged to work in the Caribbean. These indentured workers had to sign a contract for their employer ensuring that they will work for them for a period of time usually 3-5 years. They were punished if the contract was breached and received three benefits at the end of their contract. Indentured Labor, however, would wage in accommodation payment of passage and food. Consequently and surprisingly, there is and still are many positive and negative effects arising out of the introduction of indentured labor in the Caribbean between the periods 1838 to 1921 (Advantages and Disadvantages of Indentured Labour in the Caribbean, 2013). The indentured laborers and the plantation owners were recipients of these positive and negative results of indentured labor. This paper will discuss some of the positive and negatives of this subject matter. The first set of indentured laborers was poor whites, convicts and farmers, who were brought from Britain and France and were forced to sign the contracts. European enslavers who did not have Tainos and Kalinagos used white indentured laborers (Beckles Hilary McD., 2004) (Advantages and Disadvantages of Indentured Labour in the Caribbean, 2013). This research will focus on the British Caribbean indentures and planters and the positive and negative effects on them both. The positive effects of indentureship on the life of the British planter were that it increased the labor force. With the end of the apprenticeship system in 1838, the planters no longer had a labor force they could easily control. The Trainees had now gained their liberty and many were reluctant to work any at all on the plantation (Beckles Hilary McD., 2004). In the smaller territories where the ability to access land was limited and alternative occupations were limited, ex-slaves had no choice but to continue plantation work. For example, planters in Barbados and St Kitts had very little difficulty in accessing labor in the post-emancipation period. It was in the large territories such as Jamaica, British Guiana and Trinidad that planters faced such difficulty and had to turn to immigration schemes as an alternative labor source (Beckles Hilary McD., 2004). Another benefit was that they could spend less for more work; cheap pay for large labor. There was the hope that immigration would generate competition for the ex-slaves and so help to keep wages down. Ex-slaves demanded adequate remuneration but the planters found that they could suppress wages if they could introduce cheap, foreign labor. This, in essence, would reduce the demand power of the ex-slaves because if they refused what was being offered, an immigrant was quite capable of filling the position (European and Asian Indentureship, 2013). Indentureship Because of the British West Indian planters turned to as a tool of revitalizing the plantation business. Indentureship provided a supply of cheaply-paid labor. As a result they were able to boost the Sugar, cocoa and rice industries in the Caribbean. Another positive for the planters was that their labor needs were solved which introduces one of the negative effects on the indentured servant. The servants indirectly encouraged in staying by the high cost of the return voyage, and lack of money, since every infringement against the harsh rules was punishable by fines (European and Asian Indentureship, 2013). Economically, indentureship caused the cost of producing sugar was reduced due to low wages paid. This is a benefit to both parties. Positively to the planters they were able to upgrade the technology and equipment for sugar production. In addition, new products were introduced Indian spices, jewelry, rice – which not only boosted the plantation itself but made it a lucrative crop and ultimately diversifying the economy. Also, the more persons in the territory the more land were brought into cultivation and use (European and Asian Indentureship, 2013). Consequently, not all migration schemes for indentured labor turned out to be feasible. Due to a decline in the white population, the planters sought European immigrants to increase the size of the white population. It was hoped that Europeans would set an example of industry to ex-slaves, and as well, eventually develop into a middle class. The European population who migrated to the Caribbean islands such as Jamaica, Trinidad, British Guiana and St Kitts were mainly the prisoners of Scotland, Ireland, France and Germany. This migration presented major problems for the planters. Europeans were unsatisfactory as most died when they arrived. They died from tropical diseases because the Caribbean’s weather and climate are fundamentally different from that of Europe and its environs. They died of Hearts stroke and some Europeans even drank themselves to death. They also refused to work on the plantations with blacks created segregation and conflict on the plantation. Many demanded to be sent home or migrated to the United States. Planters also failed to supply proper food, shelter and medical facilities which was all the more a reason for them to leave. This severely damaged the economy and production of certain industries. They also resorted to Chinese indentureship. The first Chinese immigrants to the Caribbean arrived in Trinidad in 1806 from Malaya. They were to be indentured for five years, with a potential of receiving small plots of land afterwards. They were extremely unsuitable for estate laborers and most were shipped back. Most Chinese immigrants came during the period 1859-1886 and went to British Guiana, Jamaica and Trinidad. They came mostly from the Portuguese colony of Macao and from Canton. Others came as well because of the Teiping Rebellion Planters complained that the Chinese did not make good estate workers and few re-indentured themselves. They preferred to return to China or open retail shops. In addition, they were more expensive than the Indians. The Chinese government also insisted that a full return passage be granted after a five-year indentureship contract. This made recruiting them an easy process (1851-1864). (European and Asian Indentureship, 2013). In 1838, the first Indians arrived in on Gladstones Estate British Guyana. After a temporary close of the migration because the ill-treatment of the indentured the British resurrected the Indian immigration scheme in 1844. Indian indentured labor was of great benefit to the planters and plantation. They provided a cheap labor force. Their immigration to the Caribbean kept a permanent supply. Most importantly they were capable of working on t he estates. The immigration of the Indians for indentureship maintained the status quo on the island in calmness and plantation and economic stability. On the other hand, several Social problems arose. It status quo disturbed due to different ethnic background, religion and value system. They introduced new foods and crops such as rice, curry and roti. They brought new music and musical instruments. They introduced different dress of men and women. Their Architecture of the building of mosques and temples conflicted with the planters. It created conflicts between African and Indian Population over jobs, culture, schooling, and religion. It perpetuated discrimination and racism. The Indians focus on education and elevation from the lowest echelon of society, but were not in favor of attending Christian schools. In today’s current time, the racial skirmishes and fights in Guyana and Trinidad, especially at election time. Indians slightly outnumber Africans. It was not difficult to find willing immigrants because many people had lost their jobs due to the mechanization of mills and factories. The Indians were in need of Jobs. India was becoming overpopulated and there was not enough land to divide among the younger generation. Wages in India had fallen to 1/2d per day and there was a series of famine during the period 1857-1877 that led to an increase in food prices. In evading those drastic policies, men and women were more than willing to migrate. The Caribbean seemed attractive with high wages, shelter, medical care and a chance to find new occupations besides agriculture. Indians were easily recruited as India was a British colony. (European and Asian Indentureship, 2013). It is sad that even after the contribution that the Indians made to improve the economy of the British Caribbean and revive its plantations and estates, (European and Asian Indentureship, 2013) They were forced to live in over-crowded barracks, under the most unsanitary conditions; making them prone to a number of life-threatening diseases and sickness. They received no form of medical care or treatment and in most cases were left to die. (Beckles Hilary McD., 2004)On the plantation they were over-worked and were harshly punished and beaten by the planters. (Advantages and Disadvantages of Indentured Labour in the Caribbean, 2013). In conclusion, indentureship has made a greater impact on the West Indian culture today than the European culture itself. The positive aspect of indentureship would have been sided to the economic stability of the plantation and the life of the planters. The British planters tried to import quite a number of Asian folk, some of which did not work out as pl anned. The Indians were the most capable workers who were of great benefit to the British Caribbean. However, the indentured servants were mistreated and taking advantage of. They were short paid for work that would require a lot more than they were given. They living conditions were horrendous and unsuitable for human life. Indentureship was exploited in the British Caribbean and as a result the indentured were treated like they had no contribution to the lucrative the economy.