Demographic Transition for Caribbean

918 Words4 Pages
Demographic Transition Theory: A Caribbean Perspective * Consists of 5 stages Stage 1 – Early Slavery to the early 18th century * European nations such as Spain, Britain, France and Holland established societies in the Caribbean between 1492 and the end of the 18th century * During this period labour was seen as a major issue and the enslavement of Africans critical to economic accumulation. Keep in mind that the enslaved Africans lost their identity and were treated as property (chattel slavery) * It should be noted that there was a marked difference between the no. of females and males being exported to the region * Scholars argue that between 1781 – 1798 the percentage of females shipped from Africa was 38% * This period was also marked with high birth rates as children were seen as a form a labour * When coupled with the cultural practices of the enslaved Africans such as unstable unions and promiscuity, the workforce tended to reproduce itself * High death rates were due to the fact that there was suppressed expenditure on slaves to the extent of subsistence levels * The reason for this was the impact of class and racial prejudice – white cultural hegemony / supremacy – upon economic thinking which oftentimes led to subsistence levels being allocated below what was required to maintain general health * Research on slavery has shown that those enslaved were generally malnourished and preyed upon by a no. of diseases related to malnutrition * In addition to this, food availability fluctuated seasonally and they experienced large periods of hunger after hurricanes, drought and major war * High death rates were also due to brutal and violent treatment (flogging), hanging and joint amputation – in instances of revolt Stage 2 – Late 18th century to Emancipation (1700 – 1838 * High birth rates and low death rates
Open Document