BGCSE History Theme III: The American Bahamian Connection

1. BGCSE History Theme III:The American Bahamian Connection Topics: The American War of Independence The Loyalists The USA Civil War 1861 � 1865 Prohibition and Bootlegging

3. Governor Montfort Browne was sent to the Bahamas in 1775, just as trouble was brewing between Britain and her colony, America. Governor Browne was absent from the colony for a brief period, and when he returned in 1778, he found that the American rebels, the group who opposed any further British rule, and the Spanish had both attacked the island and made off with what weapons and gun powder could be found. Browne was further annoyed at the fact that a militia was formed and the group, who included the Speaker of the House, joined the Rebels. The American War of IndependenceObjective: To outline the impact of the American revolution on the Bahamas.

4. During the period that immediately followed many Americans ships were caught in the waters off the Bahamas, this prize was short lived as many of the prisoners had to be set free due to a lack of man power. Although the Americans were set free, the process annoyed and harmed both the Americans and their ally, the Spanish. The Spanish retaliated with an attack on New Providence in 1782 leading a force of about 5000 soldiers and a garrison of 600 men; the objective was to prevent any further use of the Bahamas as a privateering base.

5. The Spanish Governor, Don Antonio Claraco, noted the terms to be peaceful, but this only lasted as long as supplies and ammunition did. Lieutenant-Colonel Andrew Deveaux, a loyalist who lived in Florida, came to the Bahamas after hearing about the rebel attack. He had already been considering the Bahamas as a home for after the war and expressed great concern at Spanish infiltration. He and the Royal Foresters of South Carolina, the group who had fought in the Americas in support of England, along with a force of 200 men landed in New Providence just north of fort Montagu.

6. Soon before the Spanish had began to ration defenses and the treatment of the Bahamians became harsh, but this was short lived, as the Treaty which would end the war would soon be signed. When Browne and his group arrived at Fort Montagu, they met a Spanish solider who had not been alert, based on the assumption that the war was practically over. The Fort was easily overpowered. The Spanish force at Fort Nassau were more alert which made the commandeer more difficult.

7. It was at this point, that they used trickery in order to lead the Spanish forces to believe that they were in greater numbers that actually existed. The small boats that they used to get to the mainland from where the ships were docked or anchored were used to create an illusion; that the line of boats entering the harbor seemed interminable and that the man power was great [partially due to the straw men that some of the soldiers had made]. Some of the straw men were made in the likeness of Amerindians of South America, whom the Spanish hated.

8. Colonel Deveaux called to Governor Claraco to lay down arms and the Spanish surrendered. Peace came at the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in 1783 and the Bahamas was returned to Britain. Despite this unnecessary act of braveness, Col. Deveaux was granted acres of land in Cat Island and became the first Loyalist to settle in the colony.

9. Draw four columns labeled 1st attack, 2nd attack, 3rd attack, and 4th attack. Put the following events into the correct columns. 1778, Fort Montagu, Andrew Deveaux, The Mary , Rathburn, Ezekial Hopkins, 1776, East Point, 80 ship, Treaty of Versailles, 1782 , Men of Straw, Society Hill, Governor Browne, Used tricks to capture the fort Homework: Read p. 109 � 117 in the Story of the Bahamas

10. The pirate�s retreat, shortage of industry, and constant pirate attacks made for Nassau an undesirable place to live. In 1783, after the American Revolutionary war this all changed as arrangements were made for the Loyalist to live in the Bahamas. The first group of Loyalists came in Nassau in June of 1783 from St Augustine, Florida under the leadership of Archibald McArthur, who served as Brigadier-General. Obtaining transportation for the Loyalist and their slaves was a challenge for him, but the hard times were only to come after they had landed on the small island colony. Topic: The LoyalistObjective: Describe the expansion to the Bahamian population through the settlement of the United Empire Loyalist and identify some of the initial struggles they faced

11. In 1784, Sir Guy Carleton made a recommendation to the Home Government in Britain to allocate land to the Loyalist for free and the proposal was adopted. At this time the Bahamas was still under ownership of the Lord Proprietors. There had been negotiation with the proprietors and the ownership of the small nations was turned over for the sum of �12000. These payments were finalized in 1787.

12. Each head of household was given 40 acres of land in addition, twenty acres was given to every other person, regardless of race, gender or status. This group would also be exempted from the annual taxes of 2 shillings for 10 years. The availability of land allowed the Loyalist to spread throughout the islands on islands such as Exuma, Long island, Cat Island, and Crooked Island. The slaves, who did most of the work, began to build homes from the available stone and used burnt lime to cement the structures.

13. The roofs put on the Houses were made of palmetto leaves with windows and doors made from local timber. Some loyalist were able to bring their dismantled homes from the United States and had the reassembled on the islands. The slaves also went about clearing the land and sowing seeds. To their misfortune most of the crops established were burnt and shriveled by the sun leaving the Loyalist and their slaves near to starvation.

14. One particular crop that was successful for the Loyalists was the cotton crop, which for a period of time, became the bread and butter of the colony. The loyalists were able to ship bales of cotton from Nassau for export. Some of the Loyalist were able to raise cattle, or grow corn, potatoes, peas, as well as raising sheep and pigs for personal use. There were also settlers who were not at all interested in the primitive conditions of the out islands and moved to Nassau as merchants. There were others who headed for the Mainland England as soon as possible. Plantations and ProgressObjective; To describe the development and decline of agriculture and cotton in the Bahamas and the departure of the Loyalists

15. Despite the fluctuating population the Bahamas maintained more than 12,000 residents which was a 3 time jump from the 3,900 population before the end of the American war of Independence. The flood of persons into the island created social ramifications, such as: African slaves ships were brought the Nassau harbor for the first time. The black population outnumbered the white. There were substantial food shortages and food had to be imported from the neighboring United States. The New inhabitants of the islands were in dispute with the old inhabitants because they were not acknowledged in the government of the colony.

16. Soon addressed and the number of seats in the House was rearranged in order to include members from Exuma, Abaco, Long Island, Andros and Cat Island for first time. The number of seats in Nassau was reduced to 14 from the 24 and for the next nine years the House experienced virtually no progress. In 1788, the cotton began to decline as they came to be attacked by the red-dye bug and the chenille worm; additionally, the soil of the islands became exhausted due the poor cultivation methods used. This forced the departure of many of the planters altogether. Only the small farms were able to survive.

17. 1788 also brought other issues to the Bahamas as it was the year that Lord Dunmore, a most hated Governor was sent to the islands. This position was awarded for his loyalty during the war at which time he was governor of New York and Virginia. There were several reason that is governor was disfavored; His poor attitude toward others His immoral way of life His constant interference in justice and Nepotism His negative efforts encouraged the legislative change which granted the right to control finances to the assembly rather than the governor. Despite his negative qualities, Governor Dunmore was credited with the building of Fort Charlotte and Fort Fincastle, remodeling Government house and establishing the settlement of Dunmore town in Harbor Island.

18. Create a booklet about one of the forts. It must contain Drawings of the plans Describe how it was built Show how it was intended to defend the city. Use as many photographs as possible. Project

19. Compare and contrast the movement of the Loyalists to the Eleutheran Adventurers� coming to the Bahamas. What ides and attitudes did they have in common? 10 points Take out sheet of paper.You will have five minutes to answer the following question.

20. The development of the church and education in the Bahamas occurred simultaneously, and all at the will of the Loyalists. Most of the schools that were developed at this time were indeed church schools. These initial schools were under the support of the Church of England as it was the only active denomination in the islands, at that time. When support from the Church of England proved in Sufficient, further aid came from the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. The first two Anglican churches in the Bahamas, Christ Church and St John�s in Harbor Island struggled on to teach and practice the doctrine of the church of England while striving to keep education alive. Topic: Legacy of the LoyalistObjective: To describe the long term impact of the Loyalist on the development of the Bahamas

21. They were able to maintain funding from the �Society�, from individual parishes, and the government. The governmental support was hardly effective as they were seldom paid for months due to discrepancies or argument between the Governor and the House of Assembly. By 1796, the Anglicans were not the only group attempting to win souls. Joseph Paul founded a Methodist Church in new Providence, and it would be the first. He came on the heels of the Baptist Ministers who had already been heightened to the plight to convert freed Africans.

22. As the Methodist groups had been growing, the Baptist had already formed their predominately black congregation at the Bethel Baptist church on Meeting Street. The Methodist church had an integrated congregation, but ultimately saw a racial division. The Anglican Church, in its disinterest in converting slaves, lost the blacks in their churches. Although the Loyalist tenure in the Bahamas had been short lived, the legacy was interminable.

23. Bahamian architecture, governmental systems, skills in Agriculture, newspapers, ship building and entire religious and educational legacy is based on the movement of this group. This became further evident through the skills adapted by slaves in contrast to those of Freed Africans that became residents of the islands after the end of the African Slave Trade. The impact of the Loyalist is transposed through the longevity of the settlements and the overall development of the people after slavery.

24. When the French waged war on England in 1793, and Napoleon, France�s leader, found the conquest of England to be a losing battle it settled for ruining the British sea trade. The result was a England blockade of all French ports. American merchants who had established successful trade with both countries had been negatively affected and annoyed. The Americans were even further impacted during a British search and seizure forced the Americans to wage war on England on June 1, 1812. Topic: The American Civil WarObjective: Describe the division in philosophy of the American North and South; the cause of the Civil War

25. The war, although solely based on privateering, affected the delivery of goods in both the Northern American States and the Bahamas. The delay of goods and supplies, especially to the Bahama Out Islands, increased the negative impact of the slight depression the nation had been facing. The greatest impact of the 2.5 year war was the rift in principles between the Northern, Southern and Western states of the USA. The necessity of the Union of the States came into question as the South and the West failed to support the commercial obstacles of the North and expressed more consideration for their individual states.

26. The Southern states felt increased tension from the Northern states. During the 1850's, some Southern politician had discussed amongst themselves the option to be removed form the Union. Northern opposition had not been considered because each states had voluntarily joined. Additionally, the states suffered from extreme differences in culture and economy. One particular matter of controversy between the North and South was slavery. The North saw it was unnecessary whereas the South had concluded that it was the basis of its plantation economy.

27. The election of Abraham Lincoln, a Northern leader in 1960, established that the national policy would include the abolition of slavery. Seven states succeed from the Union beginning with South Carolina. The Southern states banned together to create the Confederate States of the Union who upheld their philosophy of succession, while Abraham Lincoln vied to maintain the Union at all cost. The North waged war against the South on April 12, 1861. By this time the advantage of the North was clear based on the economy of industry the were able to maintain supply and had a greater funds and man power. To maintain this advantage, a blockade of the Southern ports was established on April 19, 1861. THE CIVIL WARObjective: Give detail of the Civil war which ultimately joined the North and South in government

28. The blockade ran 4000 miles South from Virginia to Florida and the west to Mexico. The �paper Blockade� was initially ineffective because although it had been established, it was not enforced. Between 1862 and 1863, many Bahamian schooners and sloops were able to make a profit by importing and exporting goods through these ports quite easily. The British, who also been interested in the profits banks on the new enterprise by delivering goods to the Bahamas where they would transported to Wilmington, Savannah and Charleston. By the end of 1862, the Blockade was strengthen and new ships had to be developed if this business would continue to thrive.

29. List the improvements that were made to Bay Street during Blockade running? Royal Victoria was built Shops and warehouses built Cobblestones and lights were added What was the worth of quinine bought in Nassau, worth in Charleston? $10 in Nassau, $400 in Charleston What was the average captain's salary for week�s work during the Blockade? 1000 pounds How much would a passerby who helped to unload a ship expect to be paid? 60 pounds Impact of the Civil War on the Bahamas

30. What was the public debt before Blockade running? $47786 pounds What was the difference between imports and exports during this period? 669,000 pounds What was the significance of the �Imogene�? The last ship to cross the blockade before the war ends What was the name of the hurricane that devastated the islands in 1866? What was the size of the eye of the storm?

31. After which event did the Temperance movement begin? One what date did Prohibition begin and in which country? Define the term Bootlegging. What role did Bahamians play in rum-running? Where is Rum Row located? What profit could be experienced from rum-running? Which islands saw a greater interest in the prohibition period? Prohibition and BootleggingObjective Questions

32. What sum of money could a captain and his mate make during this period? What role did the Lucerne Hotel play during this period? What measures did the Bahamas Treasury department take to not hinder rum-running? What improvement were made to Nassau during this time? Identify the following improvement to Nassau; Real estate Infrastructure Tourism