Caribbean Political Development up to 1985

Attempts at Unification up to 1962, Reasons for Failure and the
Results

The Leeward Islands- early groupings
In the 17th century, the British Government was in favour of groups of
colonies because they were easier and cheaper to administer. For example,
colonial officials tended to give trouble by opposing the British Government’s
policies and decisions. Also, since less colonial officials would be needed, less
salaries would have to be paid. The colonies were not in favour of groups as
they wanted self-government and did not want a central body. In 1627, the
Earl of Carlisle was the Proprietor of Barbados and the Leewards under the
Proprietary System of Government. However, it was difficult to administer
them together, so Thomas Warner governed the Leewards only. From 1600
to 1670, Lord Willoughby was made Governor of Barbados and the Leewards.
After the Second Dutch War (1665-1667), the Leewards asked to be
separated from Barbados in 1771 and to have their own governor.
In 1674, Sir William Stapleton established the first federation of the British
Caribbean in the Leewards: St. Kitts, Nevis, Antigua, and Monserrat. This
federation remained active until 1685. However, this federation was
unpopular and in 1683, the Leewards rejected the proposal for one
government and one set of laws. In the 18c, each island had its own
assembly and made its own laws but shared one Governor and Attorney-
General.

The Leeward Islands (1871-1956)
Between 1816 and 1833, the Leewards were divided into two groups and
each had its own governor. There was the north-western group which
comprised: St. Kitts, Nevis, and Anguilla, and the south- western group which
comprised: Antigua, Barbuda, and Montserrat. In 1833, Dominica was added
to the north-western group. After emancipation in 1838, the ex-slaves had no
political rights and so the assemblies were unrepresentative. In 1871, the
British Government passed the Leeward Islands Act and set up the Federal
Colony of the Leeward Islands under one governor and one set of laws. Each
island was called a ‘’Presidency’’. This federation was unpopular with the
individual islands because it meant a loss of independence. It lasted until
1956 when it made way for a large federation called the Federation of the
West Indies.

Reasons why the Leeward Islands Federation failed:
1. The individual islands still had administrative powers.
2. The local legislatures refused to relinquish the power of taxation of the
federal legislature and so each island retained exclusive control over
taxation, and had its own treasury and fiscal system.
3. The federal government was supported by direct grants from the
individual island legislatures, and they gave the minimum necessary.
4. The individual islands were dissatisfied with the distribution of the
resources. They felt that their contributions were too large for the
services that they received.
5. They complained of neglect by the governor and federal officials.
6. The geographical separateness of the various colonies and their
insularity because of their long history as competitors, and as primary
producers of similar goods sold to the same markets.