October 11th, 2024, marks the 159th anniversary of the Morant Bay Rebellion—a crucial turning point in Jamaica’s history and one of the most violently suppressed uprisings in the British West Indies. This anniversary is an occasion to honour the bravery of National Hero Paul Bogle and remember the hundreds of Jamaicans who were killed, persecuted, or suffered in the aftermath.
It’s also a time to reflect on the wrongful execution of George William Gordon, a politician unfairly held responsible for the events. By revisiting this historical chapter, we pay tribute to their courage and the enduring impact of the rebellion on the nation’s journey toward justice and self-governance.
Longstanding Grievances
The Morant Bay Rebellion did not occur in isolation but was the result of longstanding grievances that plagued Jamaica’s Black population. Although slavery was abolished over 30 years before in 1834, many Jamaicans remained trapped in poverty, and their rights were severely restricted by the colonial government. Few could vote due to high poll taxes, while discriminatory laws limited access to land and enforced social and economic subjugation.
The discontent that simmered for decades finally erupted in 1865 when the Jamaican Assembly passed a series of harsh bills, including severe penalties for minor offences such as cutting sugarcane for personal use. The restrictive measures were perceived as a deliberate attempt to push the Black population back into a state of dependency and servitude.
The Spark that Ignited the Rebellion
The rebellion’s spark was lit on 7 October 1865, when Paul Bogle, a Baptist deacon from Stony gut and respected leader in the community, was in attendance at the Morant Bay Courthouse for a Petty Sessions where a young man was found guilty of assault and was heavily fined. During the trial, a Black spectator spoke out against the high fines and was immediately ordered to be arrested. The attempt to detain him led to a confrontation between the crowd and police, resulting in the spectator fleeing and the crowd attacking the police officers.
Enraged by these events, the authorities issued warrants for Bogle’s arrest for assisting the fleeing spectator. On Tuesday, October 10, the authorities dispatched six policemen and two constables to Stony Gut to arrest Bogle, but a mob armed with cutlasses and sticks repelled them.
On 11 October, Bogle and several hundred followers marched to the courthouse to “face his accusers.” The crowd armed with sticks and cutlasses was met by the local militia, who responded to the protesters’ insults and stone-throwing with gunfire. In retaliation, the crowd attacked and set fire to the courthouse, killing several militia members. This marked the beginning of an uprising that saw Bogle’s followers taking control of the parish for two days.
Brutal Suppression And Bogle’s Betrayal
Governor Edward Eyre’s response to the rebellion was swift and brutal. Martial law was declared across the parish, giving the governor and his troops unchecked authority. British forces, along with Maroons of Moore Town who were under the command of Colonel Alexander Fyfe, were sent to crush the rebellion. Eyre’s soldiers embarked on a campaign of terror, indiscriminately killing those suspected of involvement and razing homes. By early November, the rebellion had been brutally quashed. Nearly 470 Black Jamaicans were killed—many executed hastily without trial. More than 600 were flogged, and approximately 1,000 houses were destroyed, leaving entire communities devastated.
Initially evading capture, an informant betrayed Paul Bogle, leading to his capture by a party of Fyfe’s Maroons on October 23, and his handover to the authorities. He was swiftly tried, sentenced to death by court martial, and hanged on 24 October 1865, only a day later.
The Tragic Scapegoat: George William Gordon
One of the most controversial consequences of the rebellion was the execution of George William Gordon, a mixed-race politician who was known for his vocal criticism of the colonial government. Although Gordon was not directly involved in the uprising and was in Kingston at the time, Governor Eyre used the opportunity to accuse him of inciting the rebellion.
It was thought that Eyre could not accept that Paul Bogle, a black man, was intelligent enough to plan and organise a rebellion and so had to have had help from ‘persons of better position and education… engaged in misleading the negro population by inflammatory speeches or writings, telling them that they were wronged and oppressed and inciting them to seek redress’, according to the British National Archives.
Eyre turned his gaze to George William Gordon, a former slave turned successful businessman and member of the Jamaican House of Assembly for St. Thomas. Eyre, along with the white elites of the island, harbored a long-standing animosity towards Gordon, as he was a friend of Bogle, a baptist and champion of the poor blacks.
Eyre had Gordon arrested in Kingston—outside the jurisdiction of martial law—and transported to Morant Bay, where he was quickly tried under martial law and found guilty. Gordon was executed by hanging in the ruins of Morant Bay’s courthouse on Monday 23 October making him a scapegoat in Eyre’s efforts to quell dissent. His unjust execution sparked outrage in Britain, leading to a public outcry against Eyre’s handling of the rebellion.
Harsh Reality of Colonial Rule
The Morant Bay Rebellion and its brutal suppression drew attention to the harsh realities of colonial rule and the deep-seated inequalities in Jamaica. While Governor Eyre’s actions were initially praised by some as necessary for maintaining order, the extreme measures taken against the Black population led to widespread condemnation and demands for justice. Prominent British figures such as John Stuart Mill and Charles Darwin joined the Jamaica Committee in seeking legal action against Eyre for his role in the massacre.
Although Eyre was ultimately relieved of his duties, he was never formally punished. Nonetheless, the events of 1865 forced the British government to reconsider its approach to colonial governance. The aftermath saw Jamaica’s Assembly dissolved, and the island was brought under direct Crown Colony rule, eliminating local representation and placing the colony under tighter control from Britain.
Remembering the Heroes
Today, Paul Bogle and George William Gordon are recognised as National Heroes of Jamaica, celebrated for their courage and sacrifice. Bogle’s resistance symbolised the struggle for justice and equality, while Gordon’s execution highlighted the extent of colonial oppression. Their legacies serve as enduring reminders of the importance of standing up against injustice and the long journey toward self-determination and freedom.
The Morant Bay Rebellion remains a significant chapter in Jamaica’s history, one that underscores the high cost of resistance and the unrelenting pursuit of freedom. As we reflect on its 159th anniversary, we honour the memory of Paul Bogle, George William Gordon, and the many Jamaicans who suffered or lost their lives during this turbulent time. Their sacrifices continue to inspire future generations in the ongoing fight for equality and social justice.