This book describes the period in Jamaica's history that follows the abolition of slavery, up to the introduction of universal adult suffrage. These years are the least studied period of Jamaica's modern history, and Bryan provides a penetrating analysis of the social, intellectual and political history of this era. Crown colony government, law and order, religious and social structure, labour, health and poor relief, the black middle class and the ideas of the black intelligentsia are explored in the context of race, class and ethnicity.