MOVEMENTS TO INDEPENDENCE

The Historical Process

Mrs.

Murphy

The abolition of slavery in 1834 in the British colonies did not result in any
meaningful change in the social, economic or political well-being of ex-slaves. But
freedom from slavery created a demand for greater freedoms, and so began the
movements to independence.
IMPORTANT EVENTS
1. CROWN COLONY GOVERNMENT 1866
This was the form of government put in place by the British .All members of the
government were nominated and the governor was directly accountable to the
Crown.
Exceptions: Barbados, Bermuda and Bahamas.
N.B. The original form of government was the Old Representative System. The
officials [of the planter class] were elected.
Crown Colony functioned in the interest of the planter class. The concerns of
the mass of people were ignored: high unemployment, low wages, poor
living and working conditions, no representation.
2. ANTI-COLONIAL STRUGGLE 1935-1938
A series of riots and strikes happened across the region, begun by estate workers
joined later by water front workers, oil field workers and the large mass of
unemployed. Unrest affected Trinidad, St. Kitts, British Guiana, Jamaica, St. Lucia,
Belize, St Vincent.
Manifest function: better working and living conditions.
Latent function: Constitutional reform.
3. THE MOYNE COMMISSION 1938
Mandated by the Crown to investigate the causes of the unrest and make
recommendations. Recommended:
(a) Strengthening trade unions: consequent measures workmens compensation,
holidays with pay, severance pay, inspection of factories and conditions for
agricultural workers.
(b) Labour Departments
Role and functions: regulation of wages, conciliation and arbitration, gathering
statistics, registration of trade unions.
(c) The West Indian Welfare Fund
A sum of money allocated for social programs to include education, health,
housing, social welfare, land settlement.
(d) Education
Recommended curricula reform to prepare students for occupations in agriculture
rather than white collar careers. Emphasis to be given to primary and elementary
education.
Intervening event: World War II 1941-1944. Recommendations put on
hold.
4. CONSTITUTIONAL DECOLONIZATION
Granting of universal adult suffrage:

1944 Jamaica
1945 Trinidad and Tobago
1950 Barbados
1951 Antigua and Barbuda, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Guyana, St. Kitts and
Nevis.
1962 Belize
1966 Bahamas

Stages to Independence
1. Ministerial system the head of a government department is chosen from
the elected members of the Legislature.
2. Cabinet government - the government is directed by a body of ministers
chosen by the Head of Government (HoG).
3. Internal self-government the HoG and the Cabinet are in control of all
domestic matters, except security.
5. THE WEST INDIES FEDERATION 1958-1961
A federal government was elected in 1958 and lasted until 1961. Grantley Adams
was elected as the first federal Prime Minister.
The Federation failed under pressure of in-fighting between Jamaica and Trinidad,
the controlling power of the Crown which weakened the federal government and
the powers reserved by member countries (to develop own economic and fiscal
policies, to levy taxes and custom duties).
INDEPENDENCE
On the break-up of the Federation independence was granted to the larger
territories.
1962 Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago
1966 Barbados, Guyana.
1967 - the remaining territories entered into a free association with Britain,
Associated Statehood.
A number of the Associated States were granted independence beginning in
the 1970s.
1973 Bahamas
1974 Grenada
1978 Dominica
1979 St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
1981 Antigua and Barbuda
1983 St. Christopher and Nevis.
The remaining territories, Montserrat, Cayman Islands, Turks and Caicos
Islands, The British Virgin Islands retain Crown Colony status with partial self
government.
SUMMARY
The movement to independence was evolutionary rather than revolutionary. Britain
gradually conceded power when it decided that West Indian people were
responsible enough to take charge of their own affairs.
INFLUENCE ON CONTEMPORARY BEHAVIOUR

Low regard for independence [independence granted rather than fought

for].
Dependency mentality / lack of collective confidence [someone outside has
solution to our problem].
Reluctance to embrace radical change
Individual entrepreneurial spirit