On This Day: First major slave revolt in South America starts; grows to 3,000 - Feb. 23, 1763

(edited from Wikipedia)
"
Berbice slave uprising

The Berbice slave uprising was a slave revolt in Guyana that began on 23 February 1763 and lasted to December, with leaders including Coffy. The first major slave revolt in South America, it is seen as a major event in Guyana's anti-colonial struggles, and when Guyana became a republic in 1970 the state declared 23 February as a day to commemorate the start of the Berbice slave revolt.

[Population]

In 1762, the population of the Dutch colony of Berbice included 3,833 enslaved Blacks, 244 enslaved Amerindians or indigenous people, and 346 whites.

Revolution

On 23 February 1763, slaves on plantation Magdalenenberg on the Canje River in Berbice rebelled, protesting harsh and inhumane treatment. They torched the plantation house, and made for the Courantyne River where Caribs and troops commanded by Governor Wigbold Crommelin of Suriname attacked, and killed them. On 27 February 1763, a revolt took place on plantation Hollandia on the Berbice River next to Lilienburg, where Coffy was an enslaved man working as a cooper. He is said to have organized them into a military unit. From then on, the revolt spread to neighbouring plantations.

There were supposed to be 60 soldiers in Fort Nassau; however, at the time of uprising, there were only 18 men including civilian militia in the fort. As plantation after plantation fell to the slaves, the Dutch settlers fled northward and the rebels began to take over control of the region. For almost a year, the rebels held on to southern Berbice, while the whites were able to hold on to the north. Eventually only about half of the white population that had lived in the colony remained.

The rebels came to number about 3,000 and threatened European control over the Guianas. Coffy was installed as the political leader, and Accara was the military leader.

[Concern with starvation]

Coffy tried to keep the captured plantations operating to prevent starvation.

[Military assistance]

Governor van Hoogenheim asked the States General for military assistance. On 28 March 1763, the ship Betsy arrived from Suriname with 100 soldiers. The former slaves were driven back, and a camp was set up at De Dageraad ("The Daybreak " ). On 2 April, 300 to 400 rebels attacked, led by Accara, which drove them back.

Suppression

Coffy contacted van Hoogenheim and said that he regretted the attack, and started peace negotiations suggesting to split Berbice into a European and an African part. The Governor replied that Amsterdam should make the decision, and that it could take three to four months.

In April, 200 troops arrived from Barbados, because a message was sent to Gedney Clarke, who owned seven plantations in the Dutch colonies as well, and in May, Sint Eustatius provided military assistance. In the meantime, word had reached Amsterdam. On 21 May 1763, the Amsterdamsche Courant reported the revolt of the slaves. The merchants demanded action, and six ships with a total of 600 men set sail to Berbice. Field Marshal von Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel was assigned to devise a plan to reconquer the colony.

On 19 October 1763, it was reported to the governor that Captain Atta had revolted against Coffy, and that Coffy had committed suicide. This cancelled the peace negotiations; however, the colonists had already been strengthened by the arrival of soldiers.

On 1 January 1764, the six ships arrived, providing the starting signal for expeditions against the rebel slaves. The insurgents were being defeated. Captain Atta and Accara were captured, at which time Accara changed sides, and helped the Dutch to capture Captain Accabre, the last of the insurgents, on 15 April 1764.

The Dutch executed many rebels for participating in the rebellion. The estimates vary from 75 to 128 (125 men and 3 women), leading to the colony’s recapture by the summer of 1764 and savage repercussions. Around 1,800 rebels died, with 24 burned alive Captain Accara was pardoned, and later served as a freedman with the marines under his former adversary Fourgeoud.

The population of the colony had decreased to 1,308 male slaves, 1,317 females, 745 children, and 115 whites in November 1764, which includes recently purchased slaves.
"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berbice_slave_uprising

---------------------------------------------------------

On This Day: Great White Fleet returns home from world-wide trip to demonstrate U.S. power - Feb. 22, 1909
https://www.democraticunderground.com/1016373046

On This Day: Russians invade ill-prepared Sweden to take Finland - Feb. 21, 1808
https://www.democraticunderground.com/1016373022

On This Day: Big business plays a central role in rise of Nazi party via secret meeting - Feb. 20, 1933
https://www.democraticunderground.com/1016372945

On This Day: Betty Friedan draws large numbers of new supporters to feminist cause - Feb. 19, 1963
https://www.democraticunderground.com/1016372915

On This Day: Mutiny of 10,000 sailors, 56 ships, begins - Feb. 18, 1946
https://www.democraticunderground.com/1016372901