Plantation slavery grew with the expansion of plantations. The main objective of the planters had to squeeze as much as possible the forces of the slaves. Very little has been examples of better living conditions for slaves. On the contrary, the history of slavery is replete with examples of ill-treatment of slaves.
Often, due to ill-treatment occurred rebellion against slavery, and even some slaves escaped to the woods. Those who were caught and died a cruel death, in order to intimidate the remaining on the plantations, in the event that they, too, conceived to escape.
Movement against slavery.
In the late 18th century, slavery in America was the cause of the resistance movement.
In 1762 the Dutch colony of Berbice in an uprising of 36 slaves, and slaves. However, the governor of Van Guggenheim sent to Berbice police forces, and the uprising was crushed. Some slaves managed to escape, but at least one of them was executed.
However, the repressive plantation management practices have brought the situation to boiling point. And after several months of February 23, 1763 started a more organized rebellion against slavery. This uprising became known as Berbisskoe slave revolt.
Initially, the rebellion broke out on the plantation Magdalenenburg belonging to the widow, Mrs. Vernesobr. The slaves killed the manager, the owner of the plantation house burned down and moved to the neighboring plantations. Plantation Korantayn many slaves joined the rebellion.
Very soon, the slaves were organized as a fighting force under the leadership of Kofi, a slave from the plantation Lilienburg, who also joined the rebellion. Coffey was brought to the plantation of this boy and was raised there as a cooper.
Hearing of the rebellion, the governor sent a van Guggenheim rebel plantations all available military forces, which he had before. And it was 12 soldiers and 12 sailors from one of five ships in the harbor. While the entire population of the colonies consisted only of 346 whites (including women and children) and 3833 slaves. Mulatto, who by this time began to appear in the colony, during the rebellion took the white side.
The uprising, which began in private estates, soon spread to all the plantation colonies of Berbice. The rebels moved to the capital of Berbice Colony – Fort Nassau on the road and burned houses and killed the white men and women. Along the way they released the other plantations, the slaves who joined the rebels seized weapons and gunpowder plantation owners.
White had to seek refuge on the five ships anchored in the waters of the River Berbice, as well as at Fort Nassau, as well as in a brick house on the plantation Pirbum, about 70 miles upstream on the left bank. Some fled in panic through the woods into a colony of Demerara.
In addition, the white has fallen dysentery, which reinforced the panic in their ranks.
March 3 rebel forces number 500 under the leadership of Kosala attacked well-fortified brick house on the plantation Pirbum. The rebels tried to set fire to the house, but managed to extinguish the fire with white. Negotiations began, after which the rebels were allowed to escape unscathed from the white house and go to their ships. But during the retreat of white rebels opened fire, killing many of them and took many prisoners. Among the captives was the wife of a plantation manager Beristin that Coffey did his wife.

Coffey declared himself governor of Berbice and chose the deputy Akara to maintain discipline and unit activity in the colony, the organization of the farm for food. Other leaders, such as Atta and Akkarbe obey military discipline.
But from the very beginning of the rebels there have been contradictions.
Many believed that the beating of white, they can do whatever they want. Small groups of looting villages, others dressed in European clothes, stolen from the homes of white, and drank rum.
A number of Creole slaves who were born in the colony, did not support the uprising, and they left the plantation, not affected by the rebellion.
The collapse of the rebellion.
At this time, White could not reach a consensus whether to keep them captured by the rebels to organize the plantation or the suppression of the uprising. Spores were stopped only when help arrived from Suriname at 100 soldiers. Governor Wang Guggenheim soldiers divided into two parts, one part left to defend Fort Nassau, and the second part went to retake the captured plantations.
Coffey knew that war with the white section and offered no prospects for Berbice white and black areas.
The correspondence between the former governor of Berbice Van Guggenheim and the current Governor of Berbice Coffey began with the April 1763 and lasted a long time. Guggenheim van pulled in while waiting for reinforcements and pretended to consider the proposals of Coffey.
Finally, May 13, 1763 in Berbice ship arrived with 158 soldiers.
By this time, Coffey lost patience, and on May 13 was scheduled to attack the camp of slaves of whites. Force of slaves numbered 2,000, while the forces of white – 150 armed soldiers and 3 vessels that support the upcoming regular firing of heavy we

apons.

The attack was repulsed.
Coffey again proposed to divide the territory in black and white. He wrote: “In any case, we will not be slaves again.”
But at the same time in the ranks of black destructive processes taking place.
Many were dissatisfied with the command of Coffey, who was a “domestic servant”, split into groups and clans undermine the rebel forces.
It should be noted that among the Dutch soldiers also were deserters, some of which are captured by the rebels. Coffey used them to train their troops.
Nevertheless, the internal contradictions of destroying the rebel forces.
Authorities seized the rebel camp in Atta. Coffey killed his close supporters, and he shot himself.
By this time, to help all the new white arrived reinforcements.

From Holland came in 1763 soldier. White went on the offensive and control was returned to the plantations. A large number of Africans surrendered, some fled into the woods. Few organized resistance, but were suppressed by Dutch troops. Atta was cap

tured.

Between March and April 1764 continued repression of the rebels.
40 people were hanged, quartered 24, 24 were burned. The rest were returned to slavery, and sent back to work on plantations.
In the history of slavery slave uprising in Berbice has a special place. It represents the first serious attempt to oppose slavery, to win freedom.
It’s not just the first attempt to revolt against slavery in Guyana, but the first attempt in the history of slavery in all of South America.

White plantation owners used various methods to retain full control over slaves. The main method of “divide and conquer.” Members of one tribe were divided into different plantation to prevent contact between them. This separation, however, created a problem of communication. The planters were looking for a way to communicate with all of his slaves, who initially spoke all different languages. Gradually developed a Creole-Dutch, which became the common language for the slaves. When the British took control of Guyana, the English word is gradually added to the language that became the basis of the Creole language.

Among slaves were many Muslims, and those who retained their tribal beliefs. But the planters are Christians not allow the possibility of other faiths on the plantations. For the purpose of rooting of Christianity in the plantation appeared the Christian missionaries. Sermons were held on Sundays, and gradually became obedient slaves and unable to raise a rebellion in the plantations.

Another means of control was to create a class system among the slaves. Slaves plantations were lower class, the class was higher among factory workers

An even higher class were skilled workers such as blacksmiths, carpenters, masons, who had the opportunity to earn money in addition to the basic work for themselves.

Even higher in the class were the overseers, who were selected specifically to control the other slaves. Household slaves had a special place in this system, because they worked in the master’s house and sometimes get some privileges from the owners. So looking at the other slaves with scorn. Lowest rung in the hierarchy were those who tried to rebel. And, often, it is home slaves were given the rebels to their masters.

Then went on separation by color. In the early history of slavery that anyone could rise to the position of overseer. But, over time, children were born of white men and black women (mulatto), white men and mulatto women (mestizo) and mulatto men and black women (sambo). Some of the slaves, thus, have a lighter skin. That was another reason for discrimination in their favor. Slaves – white children in the class defined above, than just black. This was the beginning of discrimination based on skin color in Guyana.

Free time.

Except for the overseers of slaves, all the other slaves had no earnings. They could buy something for yourself or your home, if only to sell something from his rations, or selling animals, which themselves grew.

Sunday was market day, where you can exchange goods, socialize and listen to the new gossip.

In addition to the resurrection of the servants were at rest. As a rule, after the harvest, Christmas and holidays, when slaves were allowed to hold dances that lasted until midnight.

The slaves also were allowed to fly free. However, when a slave could accumulate enough money to buy his freedom, he was already old and weak. In rare cases, women who bear children from the host, got more freedom at a young age.

The device plantation.

The land consisted of the plantation plantation cane, forest and pasture. Planters preferred to grow cane in areas not less than 200 acres. A bit of land allocated for cultivation of root crops, bananas and vegetables for food. Forests used for timber and pasture, respectively, for cattle grazing.

Typical buildings on the plantation had been a mill, a boiler room and spa. Around these buildings had a lot of smaller buildings and sheds, which were working blacksmiths, carpenters, masons, coopers, and other artisans. It also housed a prison for slaves punished.

Not far from the factory building located at home of European managers and executives. Here lived an accountant, supervisors and other office staff.
In the largest house lived planter.
Housing slaves located at some distance from the homes of Governors.

Religion of slaves.

Most of the slaves brought from Africa were from Sierra Leone, Benin, Gold Coast and Vindvort Coast. They belonged to different tribes and different language groups.

According to the Dutch planters, and behind them and the British, African beliefs could not be recognized religion. To characterize them as pagan superstition. It was believed that Africans are incapable of religious feeling.

However, some slaves were of Muslim faith.
One of these was Toby, a Muslim slave in Berbice. His said the Rev. John Ray, who arrived as a missionary in Berbice in the early 19th century.

He noticed a smart young man and was struck by his desire for knowledge. Toby went to the Christian faith. With the help of missionaries, he was able to go to England for further studies at the London Missionary Society. There he received the freedom and a new name – Thomas Lewis. In 1836 he returned to Berbice as a teacher.

Toby ancestors probably converted to Islam during the spread of the religion in West Africa across the Sahara Desert.

However, Islam is eradicated in the plantations, including the purpose of separation of slaves. Life on the plantations did not contribute to long prayers. And the servants of the Muslims

was not the Quran and they lacked the leadership of the Imams. It was impossible to observe fasting on certain days and celebrate the holidays at the appropriate days.

Islam could not survive in the environment of the slaves. However, later work – the Indians have brought this religion with them, and it is still rooted in the country.

African ancestral beliefs were called “obea.” Of course, they have undergone significant changes, although there are still in an African environment. The practice of African beliefs in the days of slavery could only be carried out secretly. The result of this secrecy was that the language was lost rites and ceremonies themselves distorted. In addition, the imposition of Christianity eradicated, blocked all African beliefs. The separation of tribes from each other, also played a destructive role for the preservation obea.
However, if, for example, in Jamaica in 1760 for the observance of rituals followed obea death penalty, there is no evidence such as the persecution of these rites in Guyana. But, of course, religion had its own leaders, and was unable to continue.

That happened in Guyana tragedy has shaken the whole world – Johnstown. And have not been clarified until the end of the circumstances of simultaneous death of 909 people. Was it really suicide, or religious fanatics, this is clearly a planned murder is still unclear.
Testimonies of survivors of witnesses so far lead us to completely opposite conclusions. Guyanese from the authorities and ending with ordinary townsfolk, stubbornly refuse to discuss it. Any conversation is cut off severely and immediately, though in all other matters Guyanese only polite, sensitive and very talkative people. But this is understandable. Nobody needs a bloody glory.
Even after most of the tragedy at a U.S. request for the burial of corpses in the Territory of Guyana, followed by a sharp and categorical refusal. By the way, just because of this, the world learned about the true scale of the tragedy. Indeed, at first, U.S. officials declared on 100 deaths, then about 300. And just because of all the victims had to export to the territory of their nationality, that is, in the U.S., everyone knew that the death toll was approaching 1,000.
Johnstown was founded by the leader of a religious organization “Church of Nations” by Jim Jones.
He was later declared insane drug addict, who pre-planned massacre of his followers. In general, the community consisted of representatives of the color of the American population, oppressed and oppressed in the U.S.. The colony itself was very well organized and very well provided for. There were quite a large field for the cultivation of the necessary provisions.
Stocks colonists were pretty solid to live in off-line for quite some time. On the territory of the colony was a kindergarten, a school, something like the school, where people were taught their children the beginning of various professions. Was a hospital, which were even operations, sometimes under the guidance of American doctors, who advised on the radio. The fact that the colony was richly provided with said at least the fact that all machinery and equipment purchased for the community in a respectable amount. In Georgetown and is now remembered as the colonists to sell a large lot of household appliances shop owner had to call his family and the entire staff – money counting.
It is known that in the United States against the organization “Church of Nations” was organized by a movement, which included relatives of many followers of Jones and even politicians. It is well known, too, that Jim Jones had discussed with the Embassy of the USSR in Guyana, the issue of resettlement of the community in the USSR. For the resettlement of Soviet government was promised a large sum of money, and money was even handed, but their fate is unknown. According to rumors, after the death of the community money has been transferred to the Government of Guyana, but no exact information. Since the Soviet system has always been slow, until all the gears zavraschalis until the decision was made, all colonists have died.
It is known that on the eve of the death of the colony in Guyana, came to a large number of young military bearing men in civilian clothes, whose traces are lost in the future.
It is absolutely unclear what kind of people shot by airplane senator, and for what purpose. According to some accounts they were representatives of the security of the Jim Jones, on the other – quite strangers. Anyway – the senator was killed, and with it killed 5 others – American TV reporter, cameraman and three other colonists, among those who decided to leave the colony together with the senator. Secretary of the senator received several bullet wounds but survived. The rest fled, including several children, who wandered in the Guyanese jungle, afraid to reach out to people.
In the Georgetown lived representatives of Jonestown (it was Sharon Amos – a woman with three children) who were engaged in the purchase of necessary goods, dispatch of the settlers. This woman with her children was murdered in Georgetown on the same day that killed the entire colony. Before the murder she called the Embassy of the USSR with a plea for help. His wife immediately called the police consul at the address, but it was too late. In the murder defendant was found, which is well recognized mad and then it traces were lost.
At a time when the whole colony dying from lethal injection or bullet (Jim Jones himself was shot shot in the head), three colonists carried the suitcase with the money in Georgetown. These people at Jonestown were children, families that have died before their eyes.
One of them, immediately after the interview was shot. And it is unclear to this day, than was caused by this tragedy. For the U.S. colony of great danger is not imagined. At that time (the heyday of the hippies) with criticism of U.S. policy not only acted lazy, and “The Temple of nations” does not stand out to the crowd of critics. Neither the U.S. nor the USSR all the more the community was not necessary, but not especially hampered, so that the apparent reason for such a brutal massacre there.
Jim Jones himself in his last speech with calls to the suicide said that the death of Senator community will not forgive that, after all of the colonists declare crazy fanatics, and be tortured in the dungeons of torture, and suicide – the only way and the path to freedom.
On the audio from that meeting heard the question: “In Russia, run late?”.
So, the questions and still more questions than answers. Who were these people. Some survivors indicate that Jones was a mad tyrant who had gathered around himself destitute people in a desperate situation, but there are those who now say “It was an attempt to show the world a happy life, happy society.
A failed attempt, but at least we tried …. “
The figure above shows the plan of Jonestown. Space around the assembly hall, school and medical center, painted black, were completely filled with the corpses of the settlers.

South America – a continent which was first mentioned in 1498. It was then that Christopher Columbus made historically proven sailing along its coast and discovered the island of Trinidad.

When in the sixteenth century, Columbus reached the coast of South America, in what is now Guyana’s population of two Native American groups. The Spaniards wanted to be a way to El Dorado, which is not drawn to the area completely ignored, so they started to colonization by the Dutch, who founded here in 1616 the first settlement of Europeans. By the early eighteenth century, there has flourished trading posts of the West India Company, which were concentrated in the mouth of the river Essekebo. And thanks to the importation of African labor, which had already flourished on the coast was developed powerful sugar industry.

At the same time to the west of the Suriname River is a rapid development of the British colonies, which were to join the opposition and peaceful colonial Dutch. The conflict between the two sides has progressed rapidly, leading to numerous confrontations, because of what the region is often passed from hand to hand. By 1796, Guyana finally became British property, and in 1815 she was named – British Guiana.

At the moment, the main trump cards are its natural Guyana attractions. In the state at the moment there are a lot of rainforest that have retained their original appearance, an extensive system of rivers with the purest water, wetlands, and extensive areas of relict savannah sites. If the Government of Guyana does not kill all this natural splendor, trying to pay the incredibly enormous public debt, this place can become a kind of mecca for lovers of ecotourism in the future. In the children’s online store you can buy toys in the shape of animals living in this wonderful country.

South America – a continent which was first mentioned in 1498. It was then that Christopher Columbus made historically proven sailing along its coast and discovered the island of Trinidad. Later, in 1499-1500’s expedition Spaniard A. Ojeda, which was attended and celebrated Americo Vespucci, reached the coast of Guiana, and even went along the coast of the continent, skirting the peninsula Paraguana, reached the Gulf of Venezuela. And in 1501 a study of the northern part of South America was completed by the Spaniard R. Bastidas, who reached the Gulf of Uraba.

Brazilian coast of South America was discovered in 1500 by the Spaniard B. Pinson. In 1507, already knowing that opened a new continent, a geographer of Holland M. Valdzemyuller suggested naming it in honor of Americo Vespucci America. However, research and discoveries of lands of South America lasted more than a year. For example, the coast of South America, going to the Pacific Ocean was discovered as long ago as 1522-58 years various expeditions fitted out to Spain.

After the bank a new continent had been explored, began to study the most new-found land. It was here looking for a mythical “golden land” – El Dorado, and exploring the South American spaces already in 1528, Spanish explorers and agents of the German bankers crossed in different directions north-western Andes. In addition, investigated the flow of large tributaries of the rivers Orinoco and Magdalena.

Thus, the study of South America, in the first place, was associated with the search for filthy lucre. Since then, our life has changed little. After all, even for ICQ status can sometimes depend on the mood of their owner. This mood, in turn, depends on the number of equivalent filthy lucre in his pockets, that is, money.

Opening of America. Opening of Guyana.

It is recognized that mark the opening of South America belong to Christopher Columbus.
There are many legends about the discovery of South America in ancient times, of sailing to its shores the Egyptians, Normans, Phoenicians. However, the official discovery of America is still made by Christopher Columbus.
In its maiden voyage in 1492 he reached the Atlantic islands, which are considered the coast of western India and, accordingly, called the West Indies.
The third voyage in 1498 he reached the coast of South America, but did not know that this continent.
Only studies Amerigo Vespucci gave us a description of the new land. He first proposed that open land is a new continent, not the coast of Asia. In his honor, South America got its name. Later the name was extended to two continents.
The discovery of South America brought the destruction of unique civilizations that have developed here. Following the pioneers in South America, thousands flocked conquistadors. They are attracted to the legends of fabulous states profusion of gold and new lands. Of the Incas, Mayans, the Aztecs were destroyed, while South America has become a colony of Spain and Portugal for many centuries.
Not escaped the fate of the continent, and Guyana.
Before the Europeans arrived in what is now Guyana, lived Indians, ancestors of the modern tribes uarrau, uayka, guaharibo, engaged in hunting, fishing and gathering. In 1499, Guiana coast was discovered Spanish conquistador Alonso de Ojeda, in 1500 landed on the shore VY Pinson. In the 16th century. Europeans are increasingly interested in Guiana, hoping to find here a fabulous land of gold – El Dorado. An attempt to establish a Spanish settlement in 1530 has met fierce resistance from the Indians. Not able to find the legendary wealth and British expedition Walter Raleigh (1595).
The first European settlement was founded in 1581 by the Dutch bank r.Pomerun. In the late 1590s they established a fort on the island at the mouth of r.Essekibo, which became the stronghold of colonization. In 1621 the Dutch West India Company received the right to exploit a large part in what is now Guyana. The Dutch tried to confront the British, but in 1667 the English settlement in what is now Guyana, were captured by the Netherlands.
By 1773 there developed three Dutch colonies – the Essequibo, Demerara and Berbice.
Colonizers divided the plantation of sugar cane, laid mines and steel to import African slaves. The brutal exploitation has led to a major in 1763, an uprising of slaves led by Caffi, it failed to suppress only the troops, transferred from the West Indies. In 1781, during the war, the North American colonies for independence, the British captured the Dutch colony, in 1782 the French established a fort at the mouth of r.Demerara, gave rise to the settlement Longchamp. In 1783 the colony was returned to the Dutch.
They renamed the Longchamp in Stabruk and made it a center of the colony Demerara.
In 1796-1802 the Dutch colonies in Guyana have been re-captured by the English, then returned to their former owners, but in 1803 again came into the hands of Great Britain, which was sealed peace treaties in 1814. The British renamed Stabruk in Georgetown (1812), and in 1831 merged into a single three colonies – British Guiana.
The first time the foundation of the economy remained slave labor. It was widely used for growing sugar plantations, construction of dams, carrying out drainage works and irrigation systems.
In 1834 slavery was abolished. Former slaves were leaving the countryside and migrated to the cities. In order to fill labor shortages in agriculture, the colonial authorities began to import the Portuguese (1835), Indian (1838) and Chinese workers. In the 1880s began to emerge and the first Indian farmers.
In 1886, between Great Britain, on the one hand, Brazil and Venezuela, on the other hand, there was a diplomatic conflict on the borders of British Guiana. In the US-brokered diplomatic conflict was settled by 1899 in favor of the United Kingdom.
The colony was ruled by a governor, which operated from 1891 political body with the participation of officials and some members elected by an electoral college.
But the urban population made up of African Americans and the Portuguese, sought reform. The need to improve the financial situation prompted British authorities to establish a British Guiana in 1928, the Legislative Council, part of which is elected by popular vote. In 1938, after riots in the British colonies in the West Indies, a royal commission headed by Lord Moyne encouraged to give greater powers of local authorities.
In 1943, election law have been increased, and in 1945 – expanded the electoral rights of citizens.