This article is about the 1816 revolt in Barbados. For the 1915 revolt in Nigeria, see
Bussa rebellion.
| Bussa's Rebellion |
|---|
| Part of North American slave revolts |
Sketch of a flag used by the Bussa rebels including the slogan "Happiness Remains for Ever with endeavourance... Britannia are happy to lead any such Sons as endeavourance and God Always saves endeavour" [sic] |
| Date | 14–16 April 1816 |
|---|
| Location | |
|---|
| Result |
British victory |
|---|
|
| Belligerents |
|---|
|
British Empire
|
Rebelling Slaves |
| Commanders and leaders |
|---|
|
|
Bussa † |
| Strength |
|---|
|
|
~400 (actively fighting) ~5,000 (total rebelling) |
| Casualties and losses |
|---|
- 1 soldier killed
- 1 civilian killed
|
- 50 killed in battle
- 214 executed
- 170 exiled
- many mutilated
|
Bussa's rebellion (14–16 April 1816) was the largest slave revolt in Barbadian history. The rebellion takes its name from the African-born slave, Bussa, who led the rebellion. The rebellion, which was eventually defeated by the colonial militia, was the first of three mass slave rebellions in the British West Indies that shook public faith in slavery in the years leading up to the abolition of slavery in the British Empire and emancipation of former slaves. It was followed by the Demerara rebellion of 1823 and by the Baptist War in Jamaica in 1831–1832; these are often referred to as the "late slave rebellions".
