Enslaved African Resistance to Slavery

Revolts by enslaved Africans had always been common. Newly purchased arrivals to the Caribbean were more likely to revolt than those born in the islands.

Many Africans brought to the islands were Coromantee Africans, brought in from the Gold Coast. Many of these people were the Akan, often from the Ashanti tribe. However, Coromantee warriors captured in battle did not easily leave their leadership positions for servitude.

One such Coromantee chief led what was called Tacky's Rebellion on Jamaica in 1760. Tacky led slaves around the island to revolt on Easter morning and stole guns, gunpowder, and other necessary supplies. They then moved inland, taking over estates and killing the whites of the plantation.

Though the militia and armed troops quickly captured and put down this first outbreak, the next several months on the island of Jamaica were filled with slave uprisings. In the end, some 60 whites and between 300 and 400 blacks were killed.