Unit IV: Changes in the British Realm: Independence, Federation, and Chagaraumas (4/3)

Corresponding text found on p319-323 of Brief History of the Caribbean.

Post WWII, Britain began to free colonies in Asia, Africa, Middle East; idea of European Community vs British Global Empire

British Empire around 1945 seen in red

West Indies colonies seen as drain on British economy (unlike India)
West Indies colonies also seen too small and weak to survive independently; yes to more self-government

Steps from Crown Colonies to Self-Rule
  - grant universal adult suffrage (1944-Jamaica; 1946-Trinidad; 1951-53-remaining islands)
  - allow elected members of colonial assembly to take part in governance
  - allow certain elected members of assembly to direct a Ministry in government
  - when majority of Ministers come from elected assembly, then Executive Council becomes governing body
  - leader of majority party becomes chief minister in territory, taking over from colonial governor
            (happened in Jamaica by 1953; in Trinidad by 1959)
  - Fully self-governing colony becomes 'associated state' in British Commonwealth
             (not fully independent; British Colonial Office still runs foreign policy and defense forces)

The West Indies Federation: 1958-1962

The Islands of the West Indies Federation appear in red

 Idea had support from labor parties and influential non-governmental organizations
 Created of united entities: University of the West Indies; West Indies Cricket Board
 Formed of island states of Caribbean; British Guiana and British Honduras opted out
 Executive power in Federation held by British Governor-General
 Governor-General appointed the Council of State (federal cabinet)
 Legislative body was Federal House of Representatives; Federal HR chose Prime Minister

Lacked agreement on three important points (agreement to not address for 1st 5 years)
  - inter-island immigration
  - federal taxation
  - common import taxes

Sir Grantley Adams : 1st Prime Minister
Influential regional leaders such as Manley & Bustamante (Jamaica) and Williams (Trinidad) chose to focus on local governance issues rather than devote energy to developing Federation

Grantley Adams (left), Norman Manley (right), Dr Eric Williams (back-center)

Jamaica & Trinidad feared smaller islands would drain potential wealth in Federation
Jamaica & Trinidad also had disputes over influence in Federation (tax burden, representation, capital)

History of Chagauramas, Trinidad
  - part of bases-for-destroyers deal between US and Britain
  - becomes key element of push for self-rule in Trinidad; rallying point for Dr Eric Williams and PNM
  - Williams leads march from Port of Spain to Chagauramas in 1960 demanding return
  - complications of attempting to make it Federal Capital

US naval base at Chagauramas

Location of Chagauramas

Aerial view of Chagauramas

Role of internal politics in fate of Federation?

Sept 1961 - Jamaicans vote to withdraw from Federation

Federation quickly falls apart

1962 - Jamaica and Trinidad become independent nations in the British Commonwealth

1966 - Barbados became independent

Subsequent independence of most of British Caribbean possessions through 1970s and 80s