MARTINIQUE – MAI 20, 1848
On May 20, 1848, in the commune of Prêcheur, a white planter prohibited slaves from playing the drum. A disobedient slave is imprisoned. His arrest provokes the anger of the other slaves of the plantation who rise up and leave armed in the direction of Saint Pierre. Gendarmes are killed as well as the son-in-law of the mayor of Le Prêcheur. Some Békés who had chosen to take refuge in the presbytery died charred following the fire deliberately started by the rebellious slaves.Following other violent clashes, slavery was abolished by the Governor of Martinique General Claude Rostoland under pressure from the crowd…(Read more from source below).
