Development of Systems of Production

1. Development of Systems of Production ENCOMIENDA SLAVERY PLANTATION SYSTEM INDENTURESHIP

2. What is a system of production? A system of production is comprised of the ways in which an economy is organized to produce the commodities needed to sustain society.

3. The Amerindians • Before the coming of the Europeans, the first peoples, notably the Tainos (Arawaks), engaged in systems of production which largely involved hunting/fishing/gathering and planting and bartering. Whenever there was surplus they traded. The coming of the Europeans (c1492) was to change this. (Discussion)

4. Gold and Silver The Europeans lust for gold and silver, and wealth on the whole was the reason behind Exploration and Colonization. For the Spanish in particular, wealth lay in ownership of mines. In their pursuit, they almost wiped out the native peoples. (Discussion)

5. ENCOMIENDA By royal decree, it was felt that the native peoples should be divided up among the Spanish settlers who had the right to tax them in produce, gold or labor. The settlers demanded all and enslaved the Amerindians by putting them to work the mines.

6. Cause of death: Any one of the following • Overwork • Malnutrition • Cruelty by the Spaniards • Spanish sport – Hunting • Suicide/infanticide • STDs from the Spaniards • Other communicable diseases • Ay eetwazzendat bad, we didna only take, we give dem too.!Si! !Si! We geevdemsamthingeen return. We geev them conversion. They died as Roman Catholics not as eedens. Death Certificate of Hatuey ASpaniard’s response

7. Sugar By the time it was apparent there was no gold in the Caribbean, the Amerindians were nearly decimated. But the Europeans simply pursued a new system of production. Sugar cane had been grown in Brazil and when the Portuguese expelled the Dutch, they brought their expertise and equipment to the Caribbean (c 1640’s). This grass specie would change the history of this part of the world.

8. Slavery • The settlers bought into it as they quickly recognized the profits to be made. Hitherto, the sweetener used was honey – scarce and expensive. As before they wanted free labour and other Europeans supplied it – enslaved Africans. Caught in slave raids in which other Africans participated, families were forever broken as they were forced to cross a vast ocean.

9. The Triangular Trade Europe – cheap goods such as pots, pans, guns, beads, hats, woolens and mirrors The CaribbeanAfrica Rum, sugar Black Gold And molasses

10. Free labour Slavery was a total institution, i.e. a system where all aspects of the lives of the persons there e.g. prison and slave society are regulated and controlled by those in authority.

11. Dehumanizing efforts • The Europeans tried to dehumanize the Africans in several ways: • They saw them as chattel-cattle, furniture and moveable fixtures • They bought and sold them at will regardless of ‘family’ ties • They , branded them, cut off limbs, lynched them and meted out harsh punishments to control them by fear. • They could not marry or live as a ‘family’ unit • women were not exempt and subject to rape

12. Dehumanizingefforts continued • The were forced to adopt new names, new religions, a new language • Tribes were mixed to reduce the effectiveness of solidarity and rebellion • Drumming and obeah were proscribed • They encouraged divisiveness among the enslaved by playing a color game, i.e. lighter skin given “preferential treatment”. None were actually treated any better. • Effort were made to suggest to them that anything associated with Africa and blackness was bad

13. African Resistance • African resilience ensured that African pride and culture were retained. The forms of resistance to the institution of slavery included: • To be discussed