Jamaican Independence - Jamaican History (Part 5)

Workers conditions improved at the dusk of the 19th century and at the dawn of the 20th century. Jamaicans fought in the First World War with the British, which opened the eyes of many Jamaicans to the world for the first time. Jamaican soldiers came back from the war full of ideas.

Following the end of slavery, workers unions slowly emerged giving voice to the workers. The great depression caused pain to the economy and by extension hurt the workers as well. Fortunately, Jamaica was saved by massive amounts of Bauxite, which could be easily produced in Aluminum Ore (a major export).

In an effort to improve their situation in the boom, unions organized massive riots in 1938. These riots ended fatally and resulted in a major turning point in Jamaica’s political history. The union leaders who emerged from the strike, eventually ended up leading the independence movement.

The unions played a decisive role in articulating the lack of self determination in Jamaica. Following the major riots, the two most prominent union leaders, also cousins (and fathers of independence), founded Jamaica’s two political parties.

Out of the National Workers Union, John Manley founded the People’s National Party (PNP) and led the country towards self government. In 1943, the Jamaican Labour Party was founded under the leadership of Alexander Bustamente, who would eventually become the first Prime Minister of an independent Jamaica. In the first election with universal suffrage (1944) the Labour Party took it.

During the Second World War, British Jamaicans were subject to the war draft, but the draft was never used because Jamaica’s volunteer enlistments met the colonial quota. In part due to Jamaica’s contribution to the war and partly due to the anti-colonial global movement, the British granted Jamaica a new constitution. This document established a Jamaican elected Government with real power and autonomy over its affairs for the first time!!

Before independence, the Caribbean countries also had a score to settle before the next chapter could begin. They had to decide if they wanted to be governed by a Federation made up of the former British Caribbean colonies, or if each island was to be governed independently.

In 1961, Jamaicans voted in a nation wide referendum to govern itself independently. One year later the draft Independence Constitution was unanimously approved by the elected Jamaican representatives. Jamaica was now an independent country!

For the first time in its history they were able to select their own head of state and have complete control over their affairs. Their Coat of Arms reads appropriately: “Out of Many, One People.”

On August 6th 1962, Jamaica lowered the British flag and raised its newly minted flag of black, green and gold.