Barbados 1661: From Sugar to Statute Behind Washington Black

Before balloons and leave narratives, there was the 1661 Barbados Slave Code. It helped specify slavery in law and made Barbados a model for Britain's Atlantic colonies. Our brief video sets the scene quickly, then the feature unpacks it: why Barbados is called a first slave society, how sugar money and legal control worked together, and where to search for proof on the ground. We also keep in mind the Halifax connection and indicate daily voices that complicate any single variation of occasions. The page links to maps, readings, and discussion prompts, making it useful for casual readers, students, and teachers alike.


Begin with the short video, then dive into sources and maps.

barbados history