November

2022

Movement of Caribbean
nations to Independence
Group members: Gabriell George Jael Howard
Clinella Stewart Ruben Price
Introduction
• In this presentation we will be concentrating on the causes challenges,
failures and triumphs of all movements towards independence of the
Caribbean nations of; Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana formerly known
as British Guiana, Jamaica, Barbados and Belize formerly know as
British Honduras.

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Definition of independence.
• The quality or state of being independent: freedom from outside
control or support (Merriam-Weber Thesaurus Dictionary)

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Trade Unionism
In the 1930s economic conditions deteriorated to such an
extent that people took to the streets for wide-scale protests,
followed by violence and mayhem.
It then became a working-class movement (proletariat) due to
creole whites joining the protest.
They protested for better working conditions
During that time a man named “Uriah Buzz Butler” and others
became political leaders. (Mohammed 2015)
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Introduction of Crown Colony
The form of government common throughout the British Caribbean
is known as the “old representational system”. He ruled with the
help of a nominated and elected council. For a long time, however,
disputes were commonly between the whites from England and
creole whites on how best to run the colony (internal conflict).
During the 19th century, England took control of many colonies,
abolishing elected legislators. This is the introduction of the crown
colony, it was proven to be oppressive to ex-slaves/indentured
servants. (Mohammed 2015)
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Introduction of Crown Colony cont’d
During the 19th century, England took control of many
colonies, abolishing elected legislators. This is the introduction
of the crown colony, it was proven to be oppressive to ex-
slaves/indentured servants.
However, this was considered to be a failed attempt, since they
had to reinstate “elected representation” because of the
widespread protests.

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Internal-self government
The territories remained with British interest overseen by a
governor-General, but a prime minister and members from the
legislature were now elected from among Caribbean people of
all races. Many union leaders also realized that it was in the
workers’ interest to represent the government for legislation to
be passed to protect union activities and the interest of
workers.

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The Plan for Independence
The strategy at the time was to get the union leaders elected for
office so that they could form a lobby for agitation within the
government and then full independence, however, things didn’t
go exactly as planned.
Sir Grantley Adams (premier of Barbados) was elected as the
prime minister in 1956 (CARICOM Community, West Indian
Federation-Caricom, n.d).

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Jamaica’s movement to independence
Some time passed and WIF did not live up to the people’s
expectations of Mr. Bustamante, he declared it was not in the
best of the Jamaican workers and called for a referendum.

The prime minister at the time, Mr. Norman Manley agreed

and the electorates voted out the federation in September 1961
and gained their independence the following year 6 th August
1962.
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Trinidad’s movement to independence
Dr. Eric Williams introduced the cabinet system of government
to Trinidad and Tobago in 1961, the country then became
independent in the following year, 1962.

The country became a republic in 1976.

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British Guiana's movement to independence
After the failure of the federation in 1961, British Guiana, under the
leadership of Mr. Cheddi Jagan had decided it wanted independence
from colonial rule in the following year, due to political turmoil.

In 1964 Mr. Jagan won the election with 24 seats he was later
surpassed by my Burnham who became the first prime minister after
the country gained independence in the year 1966. British Guinea
became The Republic of Guyana in the year 1970.
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Barbados movement to independence
After Sir Adams left Barbadian politics to be the prime minister of the
west Indian federation, Errol Barrow became a prominent Politian,
although Barbados had a strong internal government it was still apart of
the WIF and associated with the little eight.

The island finally negotiated its independence at a constitutional

conference with Britain in June of 1966 gaining their independence in
November of that same year.

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Bahama’s movement to independence
After constitutional changes in 1969 the country was called the
commonwealth of the Bahamas’ Islands

Gaining true independence on 9th July, 1973. Lynden Pinding became

the first prime Minister

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Causes for independence
Response to oppression.

A desire to move away from the plantation.

A desire for better working conditions.

Persons not wanting to return to their low status after the war

Understanding the true meaning of independence

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Triumphs of the Caribbean Nations
• Expanded the local markets and an internal market system in the Caribbean
colonies.

• Purchase land.

• Diversify the economy – moving away from the sugar industry.

• Independence.

• Development of infrastructures roads/streets/bridges.

• Gained adult suffrage

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People that push for
Caribbean
Independence
Norman Washington Manley
Jamaica's Prime Minister (1972-
1980). He was the first and only
Premier of Jamaica. Mr. Manley
became a lawyer in the 1920s and was
one of the leading lawyers advocating
for adult suffrage, which was granted
by the British empire in 1944.
(Jamaica’s Information Service, n.d.)
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People that push for
Caribbean
Independence Cont’d
Alexander Bustamante “(24 February
1884 – 6 August 1977) was a
Jamaican politician and labor leader
who became the first prime
minister of Jamaica. Bustamante is
honored in Jamaica with the title
National Hero of Jamaica in
recognition of his achievements.”
(Caribbean elections, 2022)

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People that push for
Caribbean
Independence Cont’d
Grantley Adam was a Barbadian politician. He
served as the inaugural premiere of Barbados
from 1953 to 1958 and then became the first
and only prime minister of the West Indies
Federation from 1958 to 1962. He was a
founder of the Barbados Labor Party (BLP),
and he was named in 1998 as one of
the National Heroes of Barbados
(Caribbean election, 2022)
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People that push for
Caribbean
Independence Cont’d
Adrian Cola Renzi born on 19 January
1905, died Desh Bandu (Friend of
the Nation on July 21, 1972) was a
Trinidadian and Tobagonian trade
unionist, civil rights
activist, politician, and lawyer.
(Trinidad and Tobago newspaper,
2022)
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People that push for
Caribbean
Independence Cont’d
Arthur Andrew Cipriani was a political
leader of Trinidad and Tobago. He
served as a mayor in Port of Spain and
was also the leader of the Workingmen's’
association and founder of the Trinidad
Labor Party.

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People that push for
Caribbean
Independence Cont’d
Hebert Nathaniel Critchlow in 1917
founded the British Guiana Trade
Union which was the first official trade
union in the Caribbean, hence giving
him the nickname ‘Father of Trade
Unions’. He worked hard to change the
working conditions of the workers in
the Caribbean before he died in 1964.
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Comparison Between Plantations After Slavery
During the times of Independence Struggle

Monocrop cultivation Diversified local

economy

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Pictures of the Working Conditions of
Factory Workers and the Protest

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Communities before and now
Separation of communities Breaking of the racial barrier

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Reference
• Mohammed. J. (2015).Caribbean studies for cape examination (2nd ed.).
• Webster. M. (2003)Collegiate® Dictionary, Eleventh Edition
• Caribbean Elections. (28 Nov 2022). Biography. The Review
http://www.caribbeanelections.com/knowledge/biography/
• Guyana Chronicle Newspaper. (8 May 2022). THE AGE OF HUBERT
CRITCHLOW https://guyanachronicle.com/2022/05/08/the-age-of-hubert-
critchlow/
• Jamaica’s Information Service. n.d. Norman Washington Manley
https://jis.gov.jm/information/heroes/norman-washington-manley/
• Trinidad and Tobago Newspaper. (22 May 2022). Life, work of Adrian Cola
Rienzi celebrated
https://newsday.co.tt/2022/05/22/life-work-of-adrian-cola-rienzi-celebrated/
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