Movements Towards Independence Flashcards
Define the term ‘political enfranchisement’
This refers to the right of a people or nation to determine their own affairs
Name some people who contributed to the development of the Caribbean trade union movement in the 1930s
Trinidad and Tobago
- Uriah Buzz Butler
- Adrian Cola Rienzi
- Captain A. A. Cipriani
Jamaica
- Alexander Bustamante
- Norman Washington
Barbados
- Grantley Adams
Guyana
- Nathaniel Crichlow
Why were trade unions in the Caribbean developed?
It was a working class movement dedicated towards better working conditions for the poor as well as improvements in health and education
What was the ‘old representative system?’
This was a form of government in the British Caribbean where a governed was appointed from England who transmitted the dictates of the colonial office to the colonies. This governed ruled with help from a nominated council and an elected assembly
What was the ‘crown colony government?’
This was a type of government formed after problems arised from the ‘old representative system.’
In this new government, the elected assembly was removed and the governor ruled alongside a legislative council (with official and non official members)
This government proved oppressive to the ex slaves and ex indentured labourers.
(The old representative system was removed because the England whites and the creole whites (white people born in the Caribbean) from the elected assembly kept disagreeing🙄)
What forced colonial authorities to reinstate elected representation?
(i think there was representation in the form of unofficial elected assembly members from the old government system)
Widespread unrest in the 1930s which was mainly due to the poor economic status.
More in depth:
Across the English speaking Caribbean between 1934 and 1938, workers came out on strike, held protests, rioted. The unemployed went on hunger marches. These protests were orchestrated by communications between agitators in different territories
What was the Moyne Commission?
This was a commission sent to the government in London during the strikes and protests throughout 1934-1938. The commission recommended social and political reform
What is universal adult suffrage and when was it granted to Caribbean territories under British control?
Universal adult suffrage means one person, one vote. It was granted from 1944 onwards and the only restriction to being eligible to vote was age (18+).
What was the first form of internal self- government in the Caribbean?
A chief minister and members of the legislature were elected by Caribbean people.
Why did trade union leaders want to be elected to office?
Okay so they had a really good plan.
Basically, the legislative bodies were made up of planters. The trade union leaders wanted to be elected into office so that they could pass laws to protect trade unions and worker’s rights. If they were elected into office, they could fight for full independence.
Once the trade union movement began, it was over for the whole colonial system. Electing Africans and Indians into office would destroy the whole thing because they would fight for the people of the Caribbean and colonialism which depended on social class division and exploitation would be no more 😌💅
What is economic enfranchisement?
The condition whereby a country or nation achieves the right to determine how it will develop its system of production
What is a diversified local economy and how did the ex- slaves and indentured labourers achieve this?
A diversified local economy grows different types of cash crops, food crops and livestock.
Ex slaves and indentured labourers did this during the nineteenth century when sugar prices declined. Small Caribbean farmers started developing alternative cash crops for export like cocoa, cotton and banana. They also grew food crops and reared animals.
This made these farmers self sufficient and resilient during economic hardship. It also kept them independent of the planters.
What were the effects of the ex slaves and indentured labourers making their own living through a diversified local economy?
Ex slaves and indentured labourers exported their crops and livestock but colonial authorities didn’t like this 👎
They charged them high rents for land and sometimes refused to sell them land altogether.
In the face of this injustice, ex slaves and indentured labourers banded together and bought entire plantations from poor planters who couldn’t refuse the sale. This happened especially in Jamaica.
Alternatively, in Trinidad and Guyana, they just squatted on crown land (land owned by British government)
How did the cooperative and credit union (saving societies) arise in the Caribbean?
Caribbean people pooled their resources together and then each member had the right to take the ‘pot’ in turn, replenishing it from their profits so that the next member had capital to set up or improve business. Eg. Sou sou in Trinidad, pardner in Jamaica and meeting in Barbados
(These are just the different names for them)
