Movement Towards Independence - Caribbean Studies

Flashcards about the movement towards independence in the Caribbean.

What is Internal Self-Government?

The ability of a country to run its own affairs with some autonomy, but still annexed to another country.

What recommendations was ISG based on?

The recommendations of the Moyne Report or Mc Commission.

When was Tobago annexed to Trinidad?

1899

What does the Constitution (Amendment Tobago Internal Self Government) Bill (2020) entail?

Tobago can make its own laws but the Central Government maintains control over specific areas. The Chief Secretary can attend Cabinet meetings, Tobago controls certain islands and waters, has its own fiscal review board, can borrow funds, allows direct investment, and receives a minimum of 6.8% of the national budget.

What is Economic Enfranchisement?

A country achieving the right to determine how it will develop its systems of production and regulate its own economy to make it productive.

What is a major shift related to economic enfranchisement?

The movement away from the plantation system towards a more diversified economy.

What is a key characteristic of an underdeveloped country?

It has resources but lacks the capacity to extract them, often resulting in exploitation by developed nations.

What is the Dutch Disease Syndrome?

An economic problem where a country places emphasis on only 1 sector, and if that sector is adversely affected, the economy collapses.

What are the benefits of Economic Enfranchisement?

Ability to raise own revenue, decide how to spend income, redistribute wealth equitably, and control resources for the benefit of citizens.

What is Adult Suffrage?

Also called universal adult suffrage, it's when every citizen has the right to vote, regardless of race, gender, religion or political affiliation.

When was the first General Election held in Trinidad and Tobago?

Saturday 7th February 1925

When was universal adult suffrage first held in T&T?

1946

What are some reasons for the agitation of Adult Suffrage?

White oligarchy owning most of the lands, no representation of the people in the colonial government, labor riots of the 1930s, and development of trade unions lobbying for the right to vote.

What are the benefits of Adult Suffrage?

Political equality, common person can run for elections, protects the rights and interests of minority groups, ensures people's rights are protected, a large number can vote, facilitated the move towards dismantling colonialism, promoted black consciousness and pride, and authors began to write about the Caribbean reality.

When did Belize gain independence?

1981 (21st September)

When did Antigua and Barbuda gain independence?

1981 (1st November)

When did St Kitts and Nevis gain independence?

1983 (19th September)

Why did some political leaders demand independence?

Feared federation could retard economic and constitutional progress, felt territories would be better off as independent, believed Britain wanted to continue exploiting the territories, and anxious to cut ties with Britain.

What are the benefits of Independence?

Legislative freedom, creation of one's own constitution, severing most ties with the colonizers, and having a functioning local government.

What is legislative freedom?

The ability of a nation to make its own laws.

What role did the middle-class intelligentsia play in political change?

They used their education to stimulate political change.

What does political enfranchisement allow for?

The concept of adult suffrage, i.e., the ability and power to vote.

Name some of the politicians seeking independence during the 1930s Labor Riots?

Sir Grantley Adams, Dr. Eric Williams, Norman Manley, Cheddie Jagan, George Price, Vere Cornwall Bird, Lynden Pindling, and Eric Gairy

When did Jamaica gain independence?

1962 (6th August)

When did Trinidad and Tobago gain independence?

1962 (31st August)

When did Guyana gain independence?

1966 (26th May)

When did Barbados gain independence?

1966 (30th November)

When did The Bahamas gain independence?

1973 (10th July)

When did Grenada gain independence?

1974 (7th November)

When did Suriname gain independence?

1975 (25th November)

When did Dominica gain independence?

1978 (3rd November)

When did St Lucia gain independence?

1979 (22nd February)

When did S.V.G gain independence?

1979 (27th October)