Slave rebellions were put down in 1696 and 1702. Emancipation came in 1834, nearly 30 years earlier than in the United States. The former slaves struggled for generations. It wasn't until 1950, however, that voting rights were extended to the entire population. Blacks quickly took power, with Sir Grantley Adams winning the prime minister's post in 1954.
Visitors can get a glimpse of the island's history on day tours.
A good place to start is the Barbados Museum here in the capital Bridgetown, which houses an impressive array of artifacts depicting the island's natural and social history. Several colonial plantations have been restored and are open to visitors. The nearby St. John's Church sits on a spectacular limestone bluff overlooking the Atlantic, with graves in the church yard dating back hundreds of years. Nestled among giant shade trees, the church features an interior done up in mahogany and other fine woods. Another stop affording a fine view of the island is the Gun Hill Signal Station, part of a chain of lookouts constructed during slavery times to aid in defense against rebellions.