Name: Derval Cooper

Grade: 6 My
Subject: Social Studies

Teacher: Mrs Dennis Proje

Due Date: October 18, 2023

ct
On
Norm
an
Washi
ngton
Manl
 ey
Table of Contents

Norman Maley Picture .…..…………………….……………………………… 3

The life of Norman Manley .……………...…………………………………… 4

Norman Manley’s Challenges ..……………………………………………….. 6

Norman Manley’s Accomplishments ………………………………..………... 7

Norman Manley’s Contribution to Nation Building …..……………………… 8

Timeline of Norman Manley’s Key milestone ….…………..….…..………… 10

Honouring Norman Manley ……………………………..…...………………. 11

Reference ……………………………………………………..……………… 12

2
Norman Washington Manley

3
 The Life of Norman Manley

Norman Washington Manley was born on 4 July 1893 in Roxborough,

Manchester. He was the son of two mixed race parents, Thomas Albert Samuel

Manley and Margaret Ann Shearer, his lineage includes both Irish and African

ancestors. He was one of four children. Manley was the cousin of another one of

Jamaica's national heroes, Alexander Bustamante

Manley spent his early years on his father’s property at Roxborough. Thomas

Manley died while his son was still a young boy and soon afterwards his widow

Margaret Manley and her young children left Manchester for St. Catherine,

where she had a property called Belmont.

Norman Manley was registered at Guanaboa Vale Elementary School at eight

years old. He excelled in the classroom and began his secondary education at

Wolmer’s Boys’ School in Kingston for a year. However, the following year he

drew nearer home and attended Beckford and Smith’s in Spanish Town. Later

on, he won an Open Scholarship to Jamaica College where his gift for athletics

found full expression. After leaving school he taught at Jamaica College, Hope

Farm School until he received news that he had won the Rhodes Scholarship.

He read Law at Jesus College, Oxford where his studies were interrupted by

World War I. In 1919 he resumed his studies at Oxford University, gained First

4
Class Honours and won the Lee Prizeman (Essay) Award at Gray’s Inn before

being called to the Bar in 1921.

Norman Manley returned to England after the war where he married his cousin,

the artist Edna Swithenbank.

In 1922 Manley returned to Jamaica where he became one of the country’s

leading lawyers He is reputed to have never lost a murder case which he

defended.

In addition to his academic achievements, Norman Manley was also a gifted

athlete. His best-known sporting achievement was being the long term record

holder of the 100 meters, however, he also boxed, played cricket and football.

5
 Norman Manley Challenges
Manley and the PNP supported the trade union movement, then led by

Alexander Bustamante, while leading the demand for Universal Adult Suffrage.

When Suffrage came, Manley had to wait ten years and two terms before his

party was elected to office.

He was a strong advocate of the Federation of the West Indies, established in

1958, but when Sir Alexander Bustamante declared that the opposition Jamaica

Labour Party (JLP), would take Jamaica out of the Federation, Norman Manley,

already renowned for his integrity and commitment to democracy, called a

Referendum, unprecedented in Jamaica, to let the people decide.

The vote was decisively against Jamaica’s continued membership of the

Federation. Norman Manley, after arranging Jamaica’s orderly withdrawal from

the union, set up a joint committee to decide on a constitution for separate

Independence for Jamaica.

He himself chaired the committee with great distinction and then led the team

that negotiated the island’s Independence from Britain. The issue settled;

Manley again went to the people. He lost the ensuing election to the JLP and

gave his last years of service as Leader of the Opposition, establishing

definitively the role of the Parliamentary Opposition in a developing nation.

Manley had suffered a series of heart attacks dating from 1953, and he was

forced into early retirement in 1969 due to ill health.

6
 Norman Manley Accomplishments

 Redistribution of land – many small farmers were able to get land or

increase the size of their farms.

 Regulation to the bauxite industry and increasing government revenue

from it.

 Making loans available for small businesses and farms.

 Regulation of working hours in shops and offices.

 Established Jamaica Institute of Technology and expanded free secondary

education.

 Architects of Jamaica's independence - Manley, along with his cousin

Alexander Bustamante fought for full adult suffrage in Jamaica, formed

the first two political parties (the PNP and JLP respectively) and lead the

country into independence.

 Won the 1955 election to become the "Chief minister" of Jamaica (the

position of the elected leader was given this name in 1953). Manley also

won the election in 1959.

 Under Manley's leadership, the Bank of Jamaica was established in 1960,

serving as the country's central bank.

 Developed significant infrastructure projects, including roads, which

helped modernize the country.

7
 Norman Manley Contribution to Nation
Building

Founded the People’s National Party (PNP): In 1938, Manley co-founded the

PNP, which became a major political force in Jamaica.

Advocating Workers' Rights: In the late 1930s, Jamaica was gripped by

labour strikes and unrest. Manley supported the rights of workers, offering legal

assistance and championing their cause, which ultimately paved the way for the

establishment of trade unions and improved labour rights.

Push for Self-Governance: Manley was instrumental in the efforts to attain

self-governance from British colonial rule. He actively participated in drafting

Jamaica's constitution, setting the island nation on the path to eventual full

independence.

Promotion of Education: Recognizing that education was vital for the growth

and development of Jamaica, Manley's administration focused on enhancing

educational infrastructure and opportunities.

Cultural Advocacy: Manley was a loyal supporter of Jamaican culture. He

advocated for the importance of recognizing and celebrating the nation’s unique

cultural heritage. His administration played a role in promoting arts, music, and

cultural events that helped instil a sense of national pride.

8
West Indies Federation: Manley believed in Caribbean unity and thus

supported the idea of the West Indies Federation.

Economic Development: As Chief Minister and later Premier, Manley

introduced various economic policies and infrastructure projects to modernize

Jamaica, promote industries, and create job opportunities.

Legal Reforms: As a trained lawyer, Manley worked to reform and modernize

the Jamaican legal system. He was instrumental in establishing key legal

institutions and revising outdated laws.

Paving the Way for Independence: Although it was under Alexander

Bustamante's leadership that Jamaica eventually attained independence in 1962,

Manley's sustained efforts in the decades leading up to it were foundational. His

advocacy for self-rule and his leadership in the pre-independence era helped

shape the nation’s path.

9
 Timeline of Norman Manley Key

Milestones

1893: Born on July 4th in Roxborough, Manchester, Jamaica.

1914-1918: Served in World War I. He enlisted and was commissioned as a

gunner and later as a Royal Field Artillery lieutenant in the British Army.

1919: Awarded the Military Medal for his service in WWI.

1921: After the war, he won the Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford University,

where he pursued law.

1925: Returned to Jamaica and began his law practice.

1938: Co-founded the People's National Party (PNP) and became its Vice

President.

1943: Elected as President of the People's National Party.

1955: PNP won the general elections, and he became the Chief Minister of

Jamaica.

1959: Became Premier of Jamaica after the position of Chief Minister was

renamed.

1961: Advocated for Jamaica to become a member of the Federation of the West

Indies, but after a referendum, Jamaica decided to seek its own independence.

10
1962: Jamaica gained independence from Britain on August 6th. Sir Alexander

Bustamante, leader of the Jamaica Labour Party, became the country's

first Prime Minister. Manley decided not to seek re-election as the PNP's

leader but continued to play a role in public life.

1969: Passed away on September 2nd.

1969: Manley was conferred with the Order of National Hero along with his

cousin Alexander Bustamante on October 18.

11
 Honouring Norman Manley

 In 1932 Norman Manley was made King’s Counsel

 The Howard University conferred on him the honorary degree of Doctor

of Law in 1946.

 He was voted a life member of the Congress of International

Organisations by the United Transport Service Employees in Chicago.

 A speech made by Manley at the National Press Club in Washington was

published in the Congressional Record.

 In 1961 he was made an honorary citizen of Kansas City, Missouri.

 The Order of National Hero, the highest Jamaican Honour was conferred

on Norman Manley after his death.

 His birthplace at Roxborough in Manchester is a National Monument

 A memorial has been erected on the site of his grave in the National

Shrine, at National Heroes Park.

 The Norman Manley award of Excellence has been established and is

awarded annually to Jamaicans who have given distinguished service to

their country.

 His face is on the $5 coin and the $1000 note.

 Norman Manley Law School, Norman Manley High School, Norman

Manley Boulevard and Norman International Airport are named after

him.

12
 There is a statue of him at the northern entrance of St William Grant Park

in Kingston.

13
 References

Matock, E., Fendall, T., & Eastland, C. (2022). Jamaica Primary Social Studies

Student's Book 6 (3rd ed.). Macmillan Education.

Norman Washington Manley. (2023, June 16).

https://jis.gov.jm/information/heroes/norman-washington-manley/

Norman Washington Manley (no date) Jamaica Information Service. Available

at: https://jis.gov.jm/information/heroes/norman-washington-manley/

Norman Manley (no date) Norman Manley - Jamaica Travel and Culture .com.

Available at: https://jamaicatravelandculture.com/national-icons/norman-

manley.htm

The Rt. Hon. Norman Washington Manley (1893 – 1969). (2017, August 2).

The National Library of Jamaica - Explore. Discover. Connect.

https://nlj.gov.jm/project/rt-hon-norman-washington-manley-1893-1969/

14