In Our Time

The Morant Bay Rebellion

Dec 1, 2022

Matthew J Smith, Professor of History, leads a captivating discussion on the Morant Bay Rebellion, highlighting its roots in post-emancipation Jamaica and the desperate socio-economic conditions that fueled the protest led by Paul Bogle. Diana Paton dives into the political dynamics post-slavery, emphasizing the community's push for rights. Lawrence Goldman analyzes Britain's divisive reactions, with some supporting violent suppression while others condemned the governor's actions. This conversation uncovers the complexities of colonial power and the fight for justice in Jamaica.

53:42

Creator website

Episode guests

Lawrence Goldman

Diana Paton

Matthew J Smith

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Episode notes

Intro

2min

Jamaica Post-Abolition: Struggles and Advancements

7min

Shifting Colonial Focus in the British Empire

2min

The Rise and Fall of Edward Air and the Morant Bay Rebellion

15min

Aftermath and Reflections of the Morant Bay Rebellion

16min

Economic Shifts and Social Struggles in Post-Emancipation Jamaica

8min

Colonial Governance and Economic Shifts in 19th Century Jamaica

4min

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the rebellion that broke out in Jamaica on 11th October 1865 when Paul Bogle (1822-65) led a protest march from Stony Gut to the courthouse in nearby Morant Bay. There were many grounds for grievance that day and soon anger turned to bloodshed. Although the British had abolished slavery 30 years before, the plantation owners were still dominant and the conditions for the majority of people on Jamaica were poor. The British governor suppressed this rebellion brutally and soon people in Jamaica lost what right they had to rule themselves. Some in Britain, like Charles Dickens, supported the governor's actions while others, like Charles Darwin, wanted him tried for murder.

The image above is from a Jamaican $2 banknote, printed after Paul Bogle became a National Hero in 1969.

With

Matthew J Smith Professor of History and Director of the Centre for the Study of the Legacies of British Slavery at University College London

Diana Paton The William Robertson Professor of History at the University of Edinburgh

And

Lawrence Goldman Emeritus Fellow in History at St Peter’s College, University of Oxford

Producer: Simon Tillotson

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