|
JAMAICA'S INDEPENDENCE - 6TH
AUGUST 1962 In 1929 Jamaica's economic growth was stunted by the Depression like so many other countries at that time. This resulted in a decline in social conditions. By 1938 sugar and dock workers went on strike and this resulted in a few deaths. In the same year another turning point in Jamaican history was the labour riots. Labour unrest in the late 1930s had produced a trade union, the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU) named after it's found Alexander Bustamante. Two political parties emerged out of this trade union, the Jamaican Labour Party (JLP) and the People's National Party (PNP). The People's National Party (PNP) was formed by Norman Manley in 1938. By 1942 Alexander Bustamante left the PNP, breaking from Manley on unfriendly terms, and in 1943 he formed the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), taking the trade union with him. This split in the leadership of the labour movement meant the two parties would have to compete for the loyalty of the workers. Manley led the country to self government and Bustamante later became the first Prime Minister of Independent Jamaica. The road to self government was paved in 1944 in the form of adult suffrage granted to all people of the age of 21 and over giving them the right to vote. The first election under Universal Adult Suffrage was held in 1944 and the Jamaica Labour Party won 25 out of a total of 32 seats. In 1959 The Federation of the West Indies was launched of which Jamaica was a member. In 1961, a referendum was called to determine whether or not the people of Jamaica should remain a part of the Federation. The Jamaican people voted for Independence. Jamaica was given a Westminister style constitution, with a Governor-general as the representative of the British Crown, and a bicameral Parliament. In January 1962, a draft of the Independence Constitution was brought before both Houses and after a full debate it was unanimously approved. It was also agreed that the 300 year old Coat of Arms would be retained and the Latin motto "Indus Uterque Serviet Uni" changed to one in English "Out of Many One People". At midnight 5th August 1962 the British Flag was lowered and the Jamaican Flag was hoisted for the first time. On the 6th of August 1962 Jamaica was given its independence. Sources http://www.jnht.com/jamaica/independ.html http://www.jamaicans.com/info/brief.htm http://www.africana.com/Articles/tt_122.htm |
|
|
|
||
