Читать книгу VI Settler's Handbook - Mr. Cheyenne Harty - Страница 12

In the early 19th century, the bright economic picture in the Danish Virgins dimmed. In 1803, as newly invented processing of beet sugar cut into the cane sugar market, Denmark formally ended the slave trade. Though the slave trade was over, slavery was not until those in captivity took action decades later. In 1848, dissatisfied Crucian slaves marched in Frederiksted demanding emancipation, and on July 3 Governor General Peter von Scholten, a man sympathetic to their cause, emancipated them. The governor’s actions were considered illegal by the Danish government, and von Scholten was tried in Denmark for dereliction of duty. Labor was hence regulated by a colonial labor law that was deemed oppressive; 30 years later, in 1878, it culminated in a riot that led to the burning and destruction of homes and plantations. Denmark attempted to remedy the problems, but never again would the island achieve the prosperity and glory of the “golden age of sugar.”As a result of economic decline, the population of the islands fell from 32,000 in 1829 to 14,600 in 1917. The capital city of the Danish West Indies alternated every six months between Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas and Christiansted, St. Croix, till 1917, when Charlotte Amalie was appointed the permanent capital.

Seven flags have flown over St. Croix

Heroes who were champions of the struggles for freedom, emanicpation and civil rights during those turbulent year daughters include Moses “Buddhoe” Gottlieb, Queen Mary, David Hamilton Jackson and Rothschild Francis. Their courage resulted in the territory producing modern day celebrities like basketball stars Tim Duncan and Raja Bell, professional boxers Emille Griffith and Julian Jackson, baseball players Joe Christopher and Calvin Pickering, plus actors Kelsey Grammer and Lisa Canning to name just a few.