How do you map a rebellion, especially when its participants do not want to be seen? Between British colonization in the 18th century and emancipation in 1834, Dominica presented a number of slave and Maroon rebellions. This mapping project considered the First Maroon War (1785-86), the New Year’s Day Revolt (1791), the ‘French Invasion’/Colihaut Revolt (1795) and the Second Maroon War (1813-14). The aim of the study was to utilize ArcGIS software in order to create five different maps that contribute to the understanding of the placements and movements of both the rebels and the counterinsurgents during each of the conflicts. The analysis consisted of a quantitative portion which utilized DEM data to compare the locations of the Maroon camps and estate plantations, followed by a qualitative comparison of the conflicts in terms of infrastructure, social organization, and counterinsurgent terrain control. The combined results supported the centrality of the command of terrain and avenues for communication in the development of strategy due to the highly sloping and difficult geography of Dominica and the distribution of the different populations across space. Moreover, findings confirmed the validity of ArcGIS mapping methodologies for recreation of historical pathways and movements.

Last modified

• 08/13/2020

Creator

• Laura Isabel (Laurisa) Sastoque Pabon

Contributors

• Hauser, Mark (mentor)

DOI

• https://doi.org/10.21985/n2-mtfe-1j82

Subject

• ArcGIS
• Anthropology

Language

• English

Keyword

• Dominica
• Rebellions
• ArcGIS
• Slavery
• Posner

Date created

• 2020-08-13

Related url

•  https://arcg.is/0Hzbjn

Resource type

• Presentation

Rights statement

• In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted