CSEC Caribbean History (Grade 10) By Dr. Gill
RATIONALE
History as a discipline has three aspects – its content, its organising principles and its methods of enquiry. The substantive content of Caribbean History is the activities of the peoples of the islands from the Bahamas to Trinidad as well as those of the peoples of Belize and the Guianas, from the coming of the indigenous Americans to 1985. There is no attempt in this syllabus to promote one organising principle or interpretation of Caribbean History. While a thematic arrangement has been imposed on the course of Caribbean History, the content within each theme has been stated in such a way as to permit exploration of a variety of organising principles. Nevertheless, the selection of themes and their content has been informed by a desire to promote a distinctly Caribbean perspective. This perspective acknowledges the need for a respect of human life and a cultural heritage that values harmony and cherishes diversity as a strength.
AIMS
The syllabus aims to:
- develop knowledge and understanding of the experiences of the peoples of the Caribbean;
- develop an appreciation of the creative contributions of individuals and groups in their own territory and in other territories of the Caribbean;
- sensitise students to the concerns peculiar to their own territory and the circumstances which shaped them;
- produce students who will have faith in their own abilities and capabilities;
- facilitate a willingness by students to consider new ideas and points of view;
- encourage tolerance of the viewpoints, beliefs and ways of life of other peoples;
- stimulate sensitivity to the social, economic and political issues, conflicts and achievements in Caribbean life;
- encourage students to examine and explore their attitudes and values and those of others in relation to the Caribbean historical experience;
- encourage students to express their own points of view on matters of national and regional concern;
- stimulate a willingness and a desire to read historical material on their own initiative as a leisure time activity or to update information.
Lessons
- Assess the effects of nineteenth century revolts on the emancipation process
- Assess the attitudes and arguments advanced by interest groups
- Compare the course of the British, French and Spanish anti-slavery movements
- Describe the British and French Amelioration policies
- Evaluate the clauses of the 1833 Act of Abolition (Emancipation Act)
- Assess the workings of the Apprenticeship system up to 1838
- Analyse the terms of the 1833 Act of Emancipation
- Identify the problems affecting the sugar industry in the English-speaking Caribbean 1838- 1854
- Describe the attitudes to labour in the English-speaking Caribbean after 1838
- Account for the various schemes of migration as a solution to the problems of labour
- Account for the various schemes of migration as a solution to the problems of labour: Chinese and Indian migration
- Assess the effects of immigration on the sugar industry and the impact of selected migrant groups on society
- Evaluate the impact of the free village settlements in the English-speaking Caribbean
- Assess the contribution of free peasants to Caribbean society
- Assignment for Lesson 6
- Explain the reasons for the adoption of Crown Colony Government in the English Caribbean in the 19th century
- Explain the factors that created the crisis in the British-colonised Caribbean sugar industry in the late 19th century
- Assess the measures taken to resolve the crisis in the British-colonised Caribbean sugar industry during late 19th century and early 20th century
- Explain the factors that encouraged the growth and survival of alternate agricultural enterprises in the British-colonised Caribbean up to 1935
- Explain the factors that led to the establishment and growth of the extractive and service industries in the Caribbean up to 1985: bauxite in Guyana
- Explain the factors that led to the establishment and growth of the extractive and service industries in the Caribbean up to 1985: oil industry in Trinidad
- Assess the effects of industrialisation on the English-speaking Caribbean