Analysis of Slave Population in jamaica
Sociology Report An Analysis of the Slave Population of Jamaica November 02, 2002 In the text the Sociology of plantation slavery the author Orlando Patterson hypothesize several reasons why an analysis of the slave population of Jamaica is vital. In the chapter titled “An Analysis of the Slave Population of Jamaica” Orlando Patterson identified several reason why an analysis of the slave population is vital to Jamaica. Firstly, he argued that a knowledge of the number of slaves on the island is essential if we are to assess the extent and significance of the slave system and to appreciate the ratio between the white master and their Negro slaves. Patterson was cognizant of the fact that it is only then that we can understand the frequency of slave rebellions, the almost continuous fear and tension on the part of the white community; and to some extent their barbarity to the slaves. Another point that Patterson expounded on was the failure of the slave population to reproduce itself. Arguments put forward are that the high rate of mortality and the low rate of reproduction were contributing factors to the failure of the slave population to reproduce itself. ... Patterson went on to discuss the actual number of slaves at different periods, with remarks relating to the “artificial” growth and the rate of natural decline of the population. In analysing tables 1 and 2 it can be argued that it reveals that the slave population increased rapidly during the period between 1662 and 1807, especially after 1700, and only began to decline in 1809, two years after the abolition of the slave trade. One must be cognizant of the fact that the increase in the slave population before 1809 was due, entirely to the slave trade. The annihilation of the slave trade in 1807 devastated numerous plantations. ... One can argue that this is somewhat extraordinary, especially in view of the fact that after abolition, the predominantly adult African population undoubtedly gave an artificial stimulus to the mortality rate since they increase the older sector of the population without having any influence on the reproduction of the total slave population. ... The second is that the discrepancy may simply indicate, the unreliability of early estimates of the slave population. In analysing The Causes Of Mortality During Slavery of the slave population Patterson identified and argued that the causes mainly responsible for the excessive morality rate of the slave population are related to seasoning, mortality of children 0-4 years of age, epidemic diseases, hard labour and general ill treatment.