“PLEASE SUPPORT CARIBBEAN UNITY; A ONE-CARIBBEAN NATION BY SIGNING OUR PETITION AND BECOMING A MEMBER”
Many Caribbean countries gain final independence from each other through failure of the West Indies Federation. If the West Indies Federation had survive the Caribbean would have been a united region. Today we would be discussing other Caribbean countries joining this rich family.
HISTORY OF CARIBBEAN FEDERATION
(Reference: Development and Decolonisation, by R. Greenwood, S. Hamber1981)
The West Indies Federation failed in many aspects including a lack of education and support of the Caribbean populist. The West Indies Federation was first support by the Caribbean populous in 1938 when the British Guiana and West Indian Labour Conference met in Georgetown, Barbados in 1938 that was attended by labour leaders. At this time the West Indian Regiment had returned after serving in both World War. Due to the War it brought many Caribbean people together through migration from one foreign land to the next to find safety. For example Trinidadians and Jamaicans intermarried more frequently oversees in Britain than they would in the Caribbean. The British Government felt the Caribbean Islands were too small to survive economically on their own. In 1945 many West Indian Groups were urging Federation, such as: (a) The West Indies Labour Conference, led by T. Marryshow of Grenada; (b) Barbados Progressive League Led by Grantley Adams; (c) People National Party in Jamaica, Led by Norman Manley; (d) Jamaica Legislative Council; (e) Association West Indies Chambers of Commerce. All these representative of West Indian public opinion convinced the British Government to propose a Federation for the whole British West Indies. In 1950 the Standing Closer Association Committee, drafted a constitution that was accepted by ten colonies following a Conference in Montego Bay Jamaica 1947. This Conference in Jamaica symbolized the West Indies issues no longer belong to London, because most conferences were usually held in London. The new British Secretary of State Arthur Creech Jones called this Conference in Jamaica. The ten Islands who accepted this constitution were: Jamaica, Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla, St Lucia, St. Vincent, and Trinidad and Tobago.
The Conference in 1947; put forth the benefits of a West Indian Federation: Politically (a) it would bring more efficiency in administration; (b) a larger electorate would mean purer democracy; (c) there would be greater scope for talent West Indians in Government; (d) the government would be more talented in federation.
The Economic Benefits: (a) it would create a larger market; (b) there would be the free transfer of goods and services (c) there would be greater impetus for rapid development for the area as a whole and for the individual Islands.
In 1956 the British Government and West Indian leaders agree upon a Constitution and an Act was past in by the British Parliament. A Governor-General (Lord Hailes) was appointed and given more powers than an elected leader. Port of Spain Trinidad was the Capital of the West Indies Federation. Most of the civil servants came from Britain to undertake government administration such as British Government Economic Development and Welfare Act. The structure of the Federal system was a: Legislature consists of a Senate of 19 members, one from Montserrat and 2 each from other units, and House of Representatives of 45 members to be elected by the populist. Jamaica had 17 seats, Trinidad and Tobago 10 seats, Barbados 5 seats and the other Islands 2 seats each. Another Colonial institution was that the government would be presided over by Council of State, not a Cabinet (elected officials). It would also be presided over by the Governor-General and consists of the Prime Minister and 10 other officials.
The Caribbean had the experience of a Federation from January 3, 1958 to May 31, 1962. The West Indies Federation was created by the Colonial Power Britain as its means of satisfying the demands for independence of all colonies in the region. An election was held in 1958 the West Indies Federal Labour Party (W.I.F.L.P.) (also know as the Federalist Party) won 26 seats. Barbados Prime Minister, Grantley Adams was the first and only Prime Minister of the Federation known as the West Indies Federation. The narrowly defeated opposition was the Democratic Labour Party, who won 11 out the Jamaican constituency and majority of Trinidadian Constituency. Therefore the Governing party W.I.F.L.P. did not have a majority in Parliament but relied on support of the smaller islands. The Prime Minister Grantley Adams appointed members of the Government the small Islands to form the Government. Problems started because Jamaica whom had the larger constituency felt under-presented. Trinidad with the second largest constituency also felt under-represented. Therefore politics where dominated by the smaller islands.
The Federation failed over a four-year period due to continual interference from Britain. Each Caribbean State realized for each to be fully Independent of Britain, its Colonial Power, it needed to pull out of the West Indies Federation. In 1962 the British Parliament passed an Act dissolving the Federation of the West Indies, after Jamaica and Trinidad decided to withdraw from the Federation.
Reasons for breakdown of the West Indies Federation
(Reference: Development and Decolonisation, by R. Greenwood, S. Hamber1981)
- Influence from British Governments, by allowing individual States within the West Indies Federation to negotiate separately with the British Government about their own constitution.
- The Federation was called the British West Indies Federation.
- Any decision made by the Federation Governments and each State had to be approved by the British Colony Government.
- Small Islands had enormous influence over larger States such as Antigua had the same representative in the Federation Parliament has Jamaica who is a larger State
- The Federal Government was extremely weak, it only had control of matters that were inter-Island concerns such as, West Indian Welfare Fund, the University College and West Indian Regiment.
- The West Indies Federation had no powers to levy Taxes that could only be done at the Central Government level. The Federal Government received from taxes $2,000,000 pounds or $9,000,000 Caribbean Dollar. Of this One-third was earmarked for the University College of the West Indies. This left $1,300,000 for other expenditure. Therefore any revenues coming through each Island was dependent on Central Government willingness to release extra funds.
- Jamaica also felt the British Government was supporting the Federation because it wanted to shift the liabilities of the Small Islands unto Jamaica which had its wealth
- Jamaica and Trinidad Leaders did not fully join the Federation and negotiated with the British Government a separated Constitution that developed the their own island before that of the Federation
- Lack of revenues to the Federation limit the Federal Government from carrying out its mandate as each State Governments kept control of major funds and only release small percent of the funds. The Federation could not increase revenues because it had no control over taxation
- The Federation was very weak, a major reason for its failure because the Federation had little power to do anything or make any changes within each State. The two major powers Trinidad and Tobago favoured a strong Federation, Jamaica favoured a weak Federation.
CPMUC believes the demise of the West Indies Federation contributed to the lack of common practices, culture, safety, poverty, economic development, social isolations between citizens and Governments of the Caribbean Region at-large.
Current Caribbean Reform
The Caribbean Community Governments (CARICOM) has now undertaken a huge reform of the Caribbean by heading towards a Single Market Economy, which includes free movement of people, goods and services by 2005. Starting November 2004, Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago will begin the Single Market Economy with remaining 13 countries coming onboard by 2005, at an unknown start date. This is the largest independent reform since the previous Colonial Power Britain West Indies Federation. However this reform has fallen short of sustaining Economic Development, Security, Social Development, and One Government Voice Representing the People of the Caribbean at-large, alleviation of poverty, non-opportunity for the common man in each Caribbean State and does not represent the region as a family. As each Caribbean State will continue to be Independent of each other, a Caribbean Court will be in service by mid 2004, which will be final Appeals Court for most Caribbean State but will be a Monitor of Single Market Economy and its International Agreements with the rest of the world. The Caricom Assembly will not have any power in each Caribbean State.
CPMUC Observation of Current Reform
Caricom is basically a trade organization existing among 15 Caribbean Islands. Caribbean Federation deals with having all the Caribbean countries operate as one country, using one currency and having one Federal government similar to the European Union (EU), United States of America (USA) or Canada. This in itself would allow our resources to be pooled into one and allow strength in numbers.
As part of a Constitution development many of the current treaties that each Caribbean State currently have will be merged into through renegotiations with those applicable International countries institutions. This is similar to what the European Union has done to develop a constitution that benefits each State within the European Union.
A new Caribbean Federation will survive because
CPMUC vision for a Caribbean Federation is with the following countries and we seek membership of populist around the world:
Jamaica, The Republic Trinidad & Tobago, The Bahamas, Bermuda, Turks & Caicos Islands, Cayman Islands, The Republic of Cuba, The Republic of Haiti, The Republic of Suriname, The Dominican Republic, The French Antilles (Martinique, Guadeloupe, St. Martin, St. Bart’s), The Kingdom of the Netherlands (Bonaire, St Maarten, Curacao, Saba, St. Eustatius, Aruba), Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Grenada, French Guiana.
CPMUC’s Mission for the Caribbean Community reflects what many people in the Caribbean and Diasporas want for the region, a One-Caribbean Nation.
For example:
People
A Jamaica survey conducted by the University of the West Indies (UWI) in 2003, found that “61% of 1500 voting age Jamaicans support Jamaica [being] a part of a Federation”. Many political observers in Jamaica believe that the new generation of [young people] will be willing to revisit a Caribbean Federation
The Founder of CPMUC has done its own survey in Jamaica, Canada Caribbean Community and Barbados 2003-2004 with support of 100% of approximately 120 persons surveyed. Many persons surveyed in Barbados feels Jamaica has to lead the way for Caribbean Federation because Jamaica is the leader in the Caribbean in many ways.
Governments
J
amaican governments are reluctant to support a Federation of Caribbean States. However many Caricom Governments are in support of a Federation of Caribbean States. They include:
Trinidad & Tobago, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Guyana, Dominica, Montserrat and many other Eastern Caribbean States who have shown interest in creating a Federation within the Caricom Community.
CPMUC believes its initiative is a major reform of the Caribbean Region will allow it to be self-reliant through sustaining economic development and contribute to the elimination of poverty in the region and Western Hemisphere. The Caricom Community must be a Republic that will allow it to be fully responsible to itself and its people and not be responsible to any one outside the community. CPMUC vision is for a Regional wide economic development for Caricom Federation.
CPMUC’s initiatives call for the necessary powers to be vested in the Federation that will allow it to carry out its mandate. This Federation will sustain because of visions of the new generation and creating representation in the Federation for social groups throughout the region.
CPMUC’s vision of the Caribbean Federation is needed today, not tomorrow, and has accepted this responsibility to lead the new generation of Caricom citizens.
“Please support Caribbean Unity by signing ‘Petition’ and becoming a Member’ of ‘CPMUC’ ”
Other History of the West Indies Federation
JAMAICA 1986 - Prime Minister Edward Seaga created the Caribbean Democratic Union (CDU)- As a political organization in attempt to revive a regional political alliance similar to the West Indies Federation (1958-62).....read more
The West Indies Federation, 1957-62 - Source: U.S. Library of Congress
West Indies Federation
West Indies Federation, former federation of 10 British West Indian territories formed in 1958. Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, and Barbados were the principal members, but the federation included most of the Leeward and Windward islands, then under British control. The seat of government was Port of Spain, Trinidad. Slated for independence in 1962, the federation did not survive its troubled infancy. Jamaica, the most populous and prosperous member, voted (1961) to leave the federation, fearing that it would have to shoulder the burdens of the economically underdeveloped members; Trinidad and Tobago followed suit, and the federation was dissolved in May, 1962......read more
The Columbia Gazetteer of North America. 2000
West Indies
West Indies, archipelago, bet. N. and S. Amer., curving c.2,500 mi/4,020 km from Fla. to the coast of Venezuela and separating the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico from the Atlantic Ocean; 20°00'N 70°00'W. The archipelago, sometimes called the Antilles, is divided into 3 groups, the Bahamas, the Greater Antilles (Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico), and the Lesser Antilles (Leeward Islands, Windward Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, and the isls. off the N coast of Venezuela). The Br. dependent territories are the Cayman Islands, the Turks and Caicos Islands, Anguilla, Montserrat, and the Br. Virgin Islands. The Du. possessions are Aruba and the Neth. Antilles (Curaçao, Bonaire, Saint Eustatius, Saba, and part of Saint Martin). The Fr. isls. (sometimes called the Fr. West Indies) are Guadeloupe and its dependencies and Martinique. The U.S. possessions are the U.S.V.I. and P.R. Santa Margarita belongs to Venezuela. Many of the isls. are mountainous, and some have partly active volcanoes. Hurricanes occur frequently, but the warm climate (tempered by NE trade winds) and the clear tropical seas have made the West Indies a very popular tourism area. Some 34 million people live on the isls., and the majority of inhabitants are of black Afr. descent. Before Eur. settlement, the isls. were inhabited by 3 different peoples: the Arawaks, the Caribs, and the Ciboney. These indigenous tribes were effectively wiped out by Eur. colonists. Christopher Columbus was the 1st European to visit several of the isls. (in 1492). In 1496 the 1st permanent Eur. settlement was made by the Spanish on Hispaniola. By the mid-1600s the English, French, and Dutch had established settlements in the area, and in the following cent. there was constant warfare among the Eur. colonial powers for control of the isls. Some isls. flourished as trade centers and became targets for pirates. Large numbers of Africans were imported to provide slave labor for the sugarcane plantations that developed here in the 1600s. The political status of the isls. varies: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Cuba, Haiti, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Jamaica, the Bahama Isls., St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago are independent. The Neth. Antilles and Aruba officially have equal status with Holland in the Kingdom of the Neth. Guadeloupe and Martinique are overseas depts. and administrative regions of France, P.R. is a commonwealth in association with the U.S., and the U.S.V.I. have territorial status. In 1958, 10 Br. territories (until then known as B.W.I.) joined to form the West Indies Federation. Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, and Barbados were the principal members, but the federation included most of the Leeward and Windward isls., then under Br. control. The seat of govt. was Port-of-Spain (Trinidad). Slated for independence in 1962, the federation did not survive its troubled infancy. Jamaica, the most populous and prosperous member, voted (1961) to leave the federation, fearing that it would have to shoulder the burdens of the economically underdeveloped members; Trinidad and Tobago followed suit and the federation was dissolved in May 1962. Jamaica became an independent member of the Commonwealth of Nations in 1962, as did Barbados in 1966 and the Bahama Isls. in 1973. In 1967 the West Indies Associated States were created, made up of Antigua, St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent. Each of the states was voluntarily associated with the U.K. and fully self-governing in its internal affairs. Over the next 2 decades, all of those states gained full independence, the last being St. Kitts and Nevis in 1983.
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