Pan-Caribbeanism

BIBLIOGRAPHY

The emergence of Pan-Caribbeanism—a movement dedicated to regional economic and political integration—can only be understood in the context of the Caribbean’s history, from plantation system and slavery, to anti-colonialist struggles and eventual independence. The attempt to integrate the region economically and politically dates back to the eighteenth century, when British colonial authorities sought confederation of the Leeward Islands. Other attempts occurred in the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century, but met with no success. Indeed, no serious consideration of West Indian Federation was made until the mid-1940s.

Some scholars suggest that the idea of the West Indian Federation originated with colonial officials and that federation was thought of as a way of reducing the cost of governing the colonies. Other analysts believe that the plan was hatched by West Indians living in the region and abroad, and was intended as a transitional phase leading to independence. Whoever was behind the idea of the British West Indies Federation, it was conceived as an attempt to centralize the economy and political administration of the region. Prominent West Indians, including businessmen, union leaders, and local politicians, saw the plan as a viable solution to the challenging economic situation facing the region. It was not, however, until the Montego Bay conference of 1947 that serious consideration was given to federation. A combination of factors contributed to Britain’s stronger interest in the plan. First, between the two World Wars, Great Britain had experienced a series of setbacks that had forced the reorganization of its empire and the loss of some of its colonies. Independence movements in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Union of South Africa, India, and other British colonies were exerting pressure on the home government. Second, the West Indian colonies had seen widespread disturbances and rebellions by workers during the 1930s, and labor union leaders were becoming increasingly militant. West Indian workers’ demands included better working conditions, better salaries, universal suffrage, self-government, and federation. British colonial officials saw these demands as necessitating changes in colonial policy.

West Indian leaders, however, were suspicious of British intentions. As a result, it took several meetings over a ten-year period for all concerned parties to even agree on an agenda. These meetings and dispatches from West Indian leaders and British colonial officials reveal the frustration and ambivalence of many of the proponents of federation. The Moyne Commission report of 1940 exposed the persistent economic neglect experienced by the British West Indies, but argued that the islands were not ready for economic federation. Indeed, federalism was never presented as a viable path to the economic and political development of the region; it was simply a way to cover up for failed colonial policy. It was also perceived by West Indians as a British attempt to sabotage the decolonization process.

In 1956 a conference was convened in London in which it was debated whether the federation would facilitate the eventual achievement of the islands’ self-government. Some argued that if Britain accepted the idea of a federation, it would surrender its imperial authority. Despite the debate, a federal constitution was drafted. It established that the unit members of the federation would be under the mandate of a governor-general appointed by the crown. The government would consist of a prime minister, a cabinet, a council of state, a house of representatives—in which the number of representatives from any given island would be based on that island’s population—and a senate. Trinidad was selected as the federal capital.

The West Indian Federation took effect in 1958. It included the islands of Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, and Trinidad and Tobago.

From its conception to its implementation, the West Indian Federation was destined to fail. Some analysts observe that the federation of fifteen scattered islands, separated by hundred of miles, was an inherently difficult process. These islands’ leaders also had to overcome insular attitudes and regionalism. More importantly, the real test of the federation was whether the larger islands were prepared to help the smaller islands escape their desperate economic plight. Unfortunately, the weak economy of the smaller islands became a burden for Jamaica and Trinidad. Some have suggested that federation failed because narrow nationalism prevailed over Pan-Caribbeanism. The call for federation emerged at a time when some of the islands were caught up in intense nationalist fervor. For example, achieving national independence dominated the agenda of Jamaica’s People’s National Party (PNP), despite party leader Norman Manley’s support for federation. As a result, neither the PNP nor the Jamaican people embraced federalism. Nationalism also exacerbated tensions between Trinidad and Jamaica. The Jamaicans expressed their discontent with the federal constitution and with representation in the federal parliament. Jamaica, with a population of 1.5 million, held seventeen seats—whereas Trinidad, with 750,000 inhabitants, held seven seats, and Barbados, with 230,000 inhabitants, had five seats. Nationalist fervor in Jamaica pushed the Jamaica Labour Party, led by Alexander Bustamante, to call for a referendum, and in 1961 Jamaicans decided to leave the federation. Inevitably, with Jamaica’s withdrawal from the federation, Trinidad decided there was no reason for it to remain either at a time when its economy was taking off.

The withdrawal of the largest islands from the federation stalled progress for the rest of the islands. Economic integration was achieved by the creation of a less ambitious organization called the Caribbean Free Trade Area (CARIFTA), which later was transformed into the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). In 1962 the West Indian Federation was dissolved. After its dissolution, there was some discussion of creating an Eastern Caribbean Federation, with Trinidad as the leading country. Arthur Lewis, then the vice-chancellor of the University of West Indies, led discussions with Trinidadian Premier Eric Williams, British colonial officials, and the rest of the leaders of the islands involved about forming this new federation. However, when the scheme was welcomed in London, Williams decided to take Trinidad out of the proposed federation.

The West Indian Federation lasted for less than four years, but despite its brief existence it strengthened West Indians’ yearning for political independence. The dissolved federation triggered a movement toward independence in the British West Indies, including the separation of the University of the West Indies from the University of London. Regardless of whether the West Indian Federation was an attempt to paper over the shortcomings of British colonial policy or a failed attempt to create regional cooperation, it helped lead to the decolonization of the Caribbean.

SEE ALSO Caribbean, The; Federalism; Lewis, W. Arthur; Nationalism and Nationality; Williams, Eric

BIBLIOGRAPHY

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Wallace, Elizabeth. 1996. The Break-Up of the British West Indies Federation. In Caribbean Freedom: Economy and Society from Emancipation to the Present, eds. Hilary Beckles and Verene Shepherd, 455–475. Princeton, NJ: Markus Wiener Publishers.

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Milagros Denis