Slavery in Antigua: The origins of Antiguan slaves can be traced back to the Bight of Biafra (22,000 Africans) and the Gold Coast (16,000 Africans). Most of these enslaved Africans were brought to Antigua and Barbuda against their will. They were forced to work in plantations owned by Europeans.
The living conditions of Antiguan slaves were extremely brutal. They were often mistreated and abused by their owners. Slaves were sometimes even killed for refusing to work. In spite of all this, some slaves managed to escape from their plantations and form communities in the forests.
The British government eventually abolished slavery in 1833. However, life for former slaves did not improve much after that. Slavery in Antigua: They were still treated like second-class citizens and were not given the same opportunities as white people. It was not until the 1950s that Antiguan slaves finally started to gain equality.
Who brought slaves to Antigua?
Slavery in Antigua: The first slaves in Antigua were brought by the British from West Africa in 1632. These slaves were brought to work on plantations owned by British colonists.
However, the majority of slaves in Antigua were brought from the Bight of Biafra and the Gold Coast. These slaves were brought against their will and were forced to work in brutal conditions. Despite all this, some slaves managed to escape from their plantations and form communities in the forests.