CARIBBEAN STUDIES

904 WD

TO WHAT EXTENT CAN IT BE ARGUED THAT GENOCIDE AND REVOLUTION ARE CENTRAL THEMES IN CARIBBEAN HISTORY? [30mks]

Throughout the history of the conquest and the colonization period in Caribbean history, individuals and groups sought freedom from oppression which manifested itself in central themes of Caribbean history: genocide and revolution. These themes were discussed prior to the beginning of the colonization period which dated back to the 1783s, the period of the encomienda system to emancipation, indentureship and independence in 1962.

The system known as the encomienda system was on within which the Spanish monarchs decided that the native population should be divided up amongst the Spaniards, who had the right to exact from them some form of tribute such as produce, gold and service in return for religious