Page 19 - Folkgalore

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Slavery was abolished around

1834 in the entire British Empire. Slaves

in Barbados, however, did not get free

right away as they were first indentured

into an apprenticeship program for four

years before being declared free.

However, Barbados’ politics and the

economy was very much in the hands of

plantation owners. It was only in 1949

when governmental controls by

plantation owners were wrested from

them.

Sir Grantley Adams was the first

Premier of Barbados that was free of

undue influence from the plantation

owners. In 1966, Barbados was granted

full independence. Currently, Barbados

still has a stronghold in the sugar industry

but has been also developed other

industries like tourism and insurance

(captive insurance).