The 1831 Baptist War in Jamaica: Largest Slave Revolt

The Baptist War (Christmas Rebellion / Sam Sharpe Rebellion) erupted December 1831 – January 1832. It was the largest enslaved uprising in British Jamaica.

Causes:

• Brutal slavery conditions; hope from British abolition debates.
• Sam Sharpe, a Baptist deacon, organized a peaceful strike for wages/freedom.
• Planters' violent response escalated to armed rebellion.

Outcome:

• ~60,000 enslaved people participated.
• ~500 killed (mostly enslaved); 14 whites died.
• Sharpe and hundreds executed.
• Accelerated British Parliament's Slavery Abolition Act (1833).

It was a pivotal catalyst for emancipation.