Decline Thesis

Question 1

What was the impact of the ruin of Saint Domingue on the British West Indies?

Answer 1

The ruin did not mean salvation; two new enemies appeared, and bankruptcies increased.

Question 2

Which country filled the market gap left by Saint Domingue?

Answer 2

Cuba

Question 3

What strategy did Bonaparte employ against British trade?

Answer 3

He aimed to strangle British trade through continental blockage.

Question 4

What was the effect of the surplus of sugar in England in 1806?

Answer 4

The surplus amounted to six thousand tons, leading to curtailed production.

Question 5

What significant change was proposed to help the older colonies survive?

Answer 5

The abolition of the slave trade

Question 6

What did the parliamentary committee discover about British West Indian planters in 1807?

Answer 6

They were producing at a loss.

Question 7

How many plantations in Jamaica were abandoned between 1799 and 1807?

Answer 7

65 plantations

Question 8

What was the profit percentage for British West Indian planters in 1800?

Answer 8

2 ½ %

Question 9

What was the main argument of Eric Williams’ ‘Decline Thesis’?

Answer 9

Economic factors were the main reasons for the abolition of the slave trade.

Question 10

Fill in the blank: The ‘saturated’ colonies needed only _______ slaves a year.

Answer 10

seven thousand

Question 11

True or False: The older colonies were able to thrive without the abolition of the slave trade.

Answer 11

False

Question 12

What were the three main issues facing the British West Indies during this period?

Answer 12

Debt, disease, and death

Question 13

What was the economic condition of British West Indian planters in 1807?

Answer 13

They faced bankruptcies and losses.

Question 14

What was the result of Bonaparte’s attempts to recapture Saint Domingue?

Answer 14

He was defeated.

Question 15

What did the competition from Cuba imply for the British West Indies?

Answer 15

It led to a collapse of the older colonies.

Question 16

What was one reason many West Indian planters supported the abolition bill?

Answer 16

To ensure the survival of the older islands.