The first two centuries of rum production in the Caribbean were built on the exploitation of people removed from their homeland and forced into slavery. The vast majority of these enslaved people were taken from the west coast of the African continent.

Humanitarians were increasingly expressing their concerns about slavery, but it was ultimately economic reasons that lead to Emancipation.

The Emancipation Act that was passed by the British Parliament in 1833 would come into effect on August 1st, 1834.

Return to Trinidad Rum Timeline
More on Trinidad Rum History