This strand examines the evolution of communication technology, media literacy, European colonization of the Caribbean from the 1400s-1800s, the transatlantic slave trade and its lasting impacts, and the courageous resistance of enslaved peoples. Students develop critical thinking skills to analyze historical sources and understand how the past shapes Caribbean identity today.
Students will understand how communication technologies, media, colonization, and resistance movements have shaped Caribbean societies and cultures.
Students examine the advantages and disadvantages of modern communication technology, learn appropriate use of digital tools, and develop understanding of social media etiquette and digital citizenship.
By the end of Grade Five, the learner will be expected to:
Inclusive approaches for diverse learners
European Colonisation: Spanish explorers arrived first in the late 1400s, followed by English, French, Dutch, and Danish settlers. Different colonial powers established varying systems of governance, plantation economies, and social hierarchies that continue to influence Caribbean societies today.
Triangular Trade: The transatlantic slave trade operated on a triangular route: European manufactured goods went to Africa, enslaved Africans were transported to the Americas (the Middle Passage), and Caribbean sugar, rum, and other products returned to Europe. This system lasted over 300 years and forcibly relocated millions of Africans.
Forms of Resistance: Enslaved peoples resisted in many ways: everyday resistance included work slowdowns, tool breaking, preserving African languages and cultural practices, and maintaining family connections. Armed resistance included revolts, marronage (escaping to form free communities), and organized rebellions like those led by figures such as Bussa, Nanny of the Maroons, and Toussaint L'Ouverture.
