Coral Reef damage has emerged as a pressing problem for the US Virgin Islands in terms of protecting marine biodiversity. Coral death and bleaching have been witness. The harvesting of corals is being explored to re-grow reefs . Six Marine Protected Areas(MPA) have been disignated to protect fish population and biodiversity. The government is also attempting to increase storm and hurricane resilence by increasing standards on building codes and other approaches. St. Thomas
St. Thomas was first settled by the Danes, who later settled St. Johns.
St. CroixIn 1650, St. Croix was ruled by France, who took over from the Spanish, who earlier kicked out the English. The English themselves expelled the Dutch, who jointly resided on the island, after throwing out the native Caribs. In 1733, the Danes purchased the island from France.
By the Sixteenth Century, the sugar economy took hold, and it is reflected the population of the island. In 1742, St. Croix had 174 white to 1,906 blacks. By 1754, 304 whites to 7,566. Sugar production became the chief economic activity and source of revenue for the island well into the latter 1800s. By the latter 1800s, sugar production and revenue fell, due to new technology and competition from Cuba.
Rebellions and RevoltsSt. Croix had numerous revolts. The most prominent rebellion was lead by Buddoe in 1848. Buddoe's rebellion was bloodless. It was ignited in Frederiksted. Slaves demanded freedom from slavery and threatened to burn down Frederiksted, if not granted freedom. The governor general of the island issued the Emancipation Proclammation freeing all slaves on September 22, 1848. It took three weeks to quell the rebellion with troops from Puerto Rico. Buddoe was sent into exile in Trinidad. The Governor General was sent to Denmark to stand trial for negligence. He was acquitted and the September 22, 1848 Emancipation Proclammation was upheld in all Danish territory.
Although the 1848 Emancipation Proclammation freed slaves, the 1848 Labor Act placed all blacks in a slave like state. Former slaves could not choose what he labored in or who he labored for. These decision was determined by the former slave masters. The latter predicament triggered a revolt in 1878, lead by Queen Mary. Again, it had its beginnings in Frederiksted. It took French and US warship, troops from St. Thomas, and Puerto Rico to put down the rebellion. The Labor Act was revoked. Indexes
Related Article: Negerhollands , Akan States , Slavery in the Danish Caribbean , Work Cited CIA Factbook, Unted States Virgin
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