Maroon Wars

The Maroon Wars were conflicts in the Caribbean, primarily between colonial powers and escaped enslaved Africans known as Maroons. These Maroons formed independent communities in inaccessible forests, resisting slavery and European control. The wars, occurring mainly in Jamaica and Suriname during the 17th to 18th centuries, involved military campaigns by colonial authorities to suppress Maroon resistance and re-establish dominance. Over time, some treaties recognized Maroons’ autonomy or granted them land rights, acknowledging their resilience and strategic alliances. The Maroon Wars highlight the struggles for freedom and self-determination among escaped enslaved populations in the colonial era.