The Unemployed Historian – The “Irish Slaves” Meme
A questionable 2008 article has turned into an internet meme that puts forward the idea that Irish people were used as slaves in the Caribbean – But is that really the case?
For more information see the work of Liam Hogan whose work was instrumental in this videos production and from whom many of the screen-caps used in this video were sourced.
The Irish, German and other Europeans were used as indentured labourers in Jamaica and given land and money at the end of their tenure.
Slavery came about because planters were tired of paying them and wanted a cheaper labour force.
I can’t speak for other Caribbean islands, but I can tell you for Jamaica that’s a load of crock.