S5E2: The 1859 Toll Riots of Jamaica

<p>On August 1st, 1838, Jamaica, alongside the rest of the countries in British West Indies, achieved emancipation and thus all enslaves black people on the island, gained their freedom. Immediately after, the topic of land became a major issue. &nbsp;For even though freedom day come for all black persons, land throughout the British colonies were not accessible for former enslaves. Then white planter landowners bined the former enslaved population with long labour contrasts and labour rent tenants contracts. This drove thousands of freed Blacks right back to the plantation, they were once freed from. By the 1840's, the colony government of the British West Indies took it a step further by implementing numerous legislation and taxation, that made it extremely difficult for black peasants to make a living, own and have access to land. Soon after, protest and riots took place across the region as the peasantry class realise that the promises of freedom, black people in the British West Indies were not privy to. By February 1859, residents of Westmoreland, a western parish in Jamaica, had enough. Inspired by the Rebecca Riots of Wales, some persons dressed in women clothing, joined others to demonstrate their grievances with the state.&nbsp;</p> <p><br></p> <p>For additional reading information on this episode and to view our transcript for this episode, visit our website at: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&amp;redir_token=QUFFLUhqa0tqb3ZfV0RON3RNcVZGS0RGU0FEVVRoUjhHUXxBQ3Jtc0tuTkl4T1hLLTk0RmVrYjBreVpuN2NMcXplY3ZzTTc1N1QzQktDN29nVFpsNTA5eGRGSXVCLU1mOEtfaUltcjJqRUVlVEFBejRKQXBSa3JGdi1FRTlyV09GUkNaUmlMaWZ4elNHTGZfazRQNXh3LWRkOA&amp;q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tenementyaadmedia.com%2F">https://www.tenementyaadmedia.com/</a></p> <p><br></p> <p>Don't forget to follow us on our social media</p> <p>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/tenementyaad_?lan">https://twitter.com/tenementyaad_?lan</a></p> <p>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tenementyaad_/?hl=en">https://www.instagram.com/te