Washington Black and the Barbados 1661 Code

Behind balloons and escape narratives, there was the 1661 Barbados Slave Code. It helped specify slavery in law and made Barbados a design for Britain's Atlantic colonies. Our short video sets the scene quickly, then the feature unloads it: why Barbados is called a first slave society, how sugar cash and legal control worked together, and where to search for evidence on the ground. We also note the Halifax connection and point to everyday voices that complicate any single variation of events. The page links to maps, readings, and conversation prompts, making it useful for casual readers, trainees, and educators alike.


View the explainer and download the reading list.