The document is a history school assignment submitted by Shawayne A. Nesbeth on November 6, 2012 to their teacher Ms. Thompson. It provides an introduction to the Sam Sharpe Rebellion, which was led by educated slave Sam Sharpe in 1831 in Jamaica and lasted 8 days, spreading from estate to estate and resulting in hundreds of deaths. The student aims to demonstrate through research that the rebellion had a great impact on the emancipation process in the British West Indies.

1. HISTORY SCHOOL
BASED
ASSIGNMENT
NAME: Shawayne A. Nesbeth
DATE: November 6, 2012
TEACHER’S NAME: Ms. Thompson
GRADE: 11-7
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First I would like to thank God through whom all things are possible, then I would like to
thank my family and friends for their aid and contributions. I would also like to thank my
History teacher Ms. Thompson for giving me a challenging assignment so that I would be

2. able to gather more knowledge and understanding. I hope you enjoy it as I enjoyed writing
it.
INTRODUCTION
The Sam Sharpe Rebellion or Christmas Revolt as some called it started in 1831 by Samuel
“Sam” Sharpe, a slave who was well educated and because of his education he was well
respected among his fellow slaves. He was also a Deacon at the Burchell Baptist Church in
Montego Bay, whose pastor was Reverend Thomas Burchell. He spent most of his life
preaching, spreading the word, helping to educate his fellow slaves and inspiring peaceful
resistance. The Sam Sharpe Rebellion started in St. James and spread throughout the
entire island. It began on December 28, 1831 and lasted for a period of eight (8) days. The
events that took place started when the Kensington Estate Great House was burnt down by
slaves and within the eight (8) day period more estates were burnt down, crops destroyed
and a number of whites killed. The retribution that followed was swift and up to five

3. hundred (500) slaves were executed after trial. The court named Sam Sharpe the instigator.
He was eventually captured; found guilty and hung at the Parade in Montego Bay which
was later renamed Sam Sharpe Square. The rationale for doing this research is to
demonstrate that the Sam Sharpe Rebellion did indeed have a great impact on the
emancipation process in the British West Indies. Data was collected through multiple
research and investigation with the aid of history books and the internet.
BODY OF RESEARCH
The Sam Sharpe Rebellion was a key event in the fight for the abolishment of slavery. A
few years later the beginning of Sam Sharpe’s dream would be realized when in 1834
slavery would be abolished and the system of Apprenticeship instituted. On August 1, 1938
the Apprenticeship System ended granting full freedom to the slaves. The causes for ending
the Apprenticeship System were:

4. IMPACT ON THE EMANCIPATION
PROCESS IN THE BRITSH WEST
INDIES