Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) Caribbean History Practice Exam

The emancipation of enslaved Africans in the French West Indies occurred in 1848, marking a significant moment in the history of the region. This liberation was a result of a combination of factors, including the impact of the Haitian Revolution, the growing abolitionist movements in Europe, and the changing economic landscape that called for labor reform.

The year 1848 is particularly notable as it was when the French government officially abolished slavery in its colonies, which included the French West Indies. This act was part of a broader wave of emancipation that swept through the Caribbean during the mid-19th century, and it resonated with the ideals of freedom and equality that were gaining traction in Europe and the Americas at that time.

In contrast, other years mentioned do not correspond to the actual date of emancipation in the French West Indies. 1834 is primarily associated with the Gradual Emancipation Act in British colonies, while 1865 marks the end of the Civil War in the United States, which is significant in its own right but unrelated to the French colonies. The year 1804 is significant for the establishment of Haiti as the first free black republic but does not pertain to the emancipation of enslaved Africans in the French