History of Guadeloupe - Ending Slavery

Ending Slavery

Like many Caribbean islands, Guadeloupe struggled with the end of slavery. In 1848, slavery was abolished completely. In place of the slaves, indentured servants were imported from India. The first indentured servants arrived on December 24, aboard Aurelie. They come from the Coromandel Coast, Pondicherry, Madras, Calcutta and ], and are hired to work in the sugar cane fields.

A worldwide sugar slump began in 1870, hurting Guadeloupe's economy. Sugar was bolstered during the First World War. Guadeloupe was of little international concern between this time. Just after the war, in 1923, it exported its first bananas.

On 23 February 1904, begins the trial of Henry Sidambarom, Justice of the Peace and defender of the cause of Indian workers wich will end in April 1923. Following this trial, in 1925, Raymond Poincaré definitely decide to grant French nationality to Indian citizens as well as the right to vote].

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