In 1833 the Parliament of the United Kingdom abolished slavery throughout the British Empire, this was known as the Emancipation Act of 1833. The Emancipation Act of 1833 decreed the eventual freedom of the slaves in all of the British Colonies. This Event precipitated immense racial conflicts, and social and economic turmoil. The framers of the Emancipation Act brought in magistrates to replace the slave owners. Former slaves would work under their magistrate and were supposed to be treated better. However, it was as if slavery still existed; former slaves were still not getting paid for their work and were still treated under harsh conditions.

Jean Rhys novel, “Wide Sargasso Sea,” takes place right after the Emancipation Act of 1833 was initiated. Slavery has ended and there is a lot of tension going around the city. Former slaves were still considered to be lower than the Europeans. Magistrates were brought in in order to replace the former slave owners and to help fix the terrible conditions, however, many felt that their magistrates were as bad if not worse than their former slave owners.

“No more slavery! She had to laugh! “These new ones have      Letter of the Law. Same thing. They got magistrate. They got fine. They got jail house and chain gang. They got tread machine to mash up people’s feet. New ones worse than old ones – more cunning, that’s all.” (Rhys 26)

In this scene Christophine reflects on the continuing racial injustice that exists on the island. Even though the blacks were no longer enslaved, they were still treated as inferior citizens. Mr. Mason, an Englishmen and husband to Annette, believes that the blacks are harmless: “They’re too damn lazy to be dangerous.” (Rhys 12). The Englishmen still looked down at the blacks and had no respect. The new laws in some ways are far worse for the former slaves because the law finally brings up the idea of justice for all, however, most people don’t see any difference.

Thomas C. Holts, “The Meaning of Freedom,” shows us how terribly former slaves were treated by their magistrates. The framers of the Emancipation brought in special magistrates, some who were previous slave owners, took take the roles of the slave-owners. The slaves could never catch a break. The magistrates were able to enforce work discipline. They were able to invoke punishments such as flogging, fines in the form of extra labor, and imprisonment in plantation dungeons or parish workhouses. Former slaves do not feel any difference. They are yet again not being paid for their work, and are still treated poorly by their magistrate, which is exactly what a slave is.

The citizens of Jamaica still felt as if slavery existed. They were treated horribly by their magistrates, who were supposed to make life easier for the former slaves. In both “Wide Sargasso Sea,” by Jean Rhys, and “The Meaning of freedom by Thomas C. Holt we see that the Emancipation Act of 1833 led to many issues. Many felt as if these new laws did more harm than good.