Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the rebellion that broke out in Jamaica on 11th October 1865 when Paul Bogle (1822-65) led a protest march from Stony Gut to the courthouse in nearby Morant Bay. There were many grounds for grievance that day and soon anger turned to bloodshed. Although the British had abolished slavery 30 years before, the plantation owners were still dominant and the conditions for the majority of people on Jamaica were poor. The British governor suppressed this rebellion brutally and soon people in Jamaica lost what right they had to rule themselves. Some in Britain, like Charles Dickens, supported the governor's actions while others, like Charles Darwin, wanted him tried for murder.
The image above is from a Jamaican $2 banknote, printed after Paul Bogle became a National Hero in 1969.
With
Matthew J Smith Professor of History and Director of the Centre for the Study of the Legacies of British Slavery at University College London
Diana Paton The William Robertson Professor of History at the University of Edinburgh
And
Lawrence Goldman Emeritus Fellow in History at St Peter’s College, University of Oxford
Producer: Simon Tillotson
President Trump says he plans to control revenue f....
BBC Sounds
To celebrate Melvyn Bragg’s 27 years presenting ....
The Supreme Court is expected to rule this year on....
Five years ago, a mob attacked the United States C....
President Trump campaigned on promises to put “A....
Overnight, the U.S. military launched strikes on V....
On the night of his inauguration, President Trump ....
Happy New Year! In this special episode, the Polit....
BBC Sounds
To celebrate Melvyn Bragg’s 27 years presenting ....
We look back on some of the highlights from 2025 w....
As we approach 2026, the NPR Politics Podcast is t....
As we approach 2026, the NPR Politics Podcast is t....
Editor's note: This episode originally aired on De....
As we approach 2026, the NPR Politics Podcast is t....
BBC Sounds
To celebrate Melvyn Bragg’s 27 years presenting ....
As we approach 2026, the NPR Politics Podcast is t....
As we approach 2026, the NPR Politics Podcast is t....
As we approach 2026, the NPR Politics Podcast is t....
It was another busy week in Washington. We discuss....
President Trump used his prime-time speech Wednesd....
BBC Sounds
To celebrate Melvyn Bragg’s 27 years presenting ....
Only 36% of Americans approve of President Trump�....
As we approach 2026, the NPR Politics Podcast is t....
President Trump has built a brand as the sports-fa....