Road to Independence

Jamaica’s Independence from British colonial rule was eagerly received when, at midnight on August 5, 1962 the Union Flag of Great Britain was lowered and the new black, green and gold Jamaican flag was hoisted for the first time. This act was symbolic the official end of colonial rule, and the beginning of Jamaica’s journey as an independent nation.

Under British rule, Jamaica was governed under several colonial structures between 1655 when the island was captured from the Spanish, and the time of Independence in August 1962.

Shortly after Jamaica was captured from the Spanish by the British in 1655, the island was administered by military commissioners, who presided over monthly military courts. This structure was changed in 1661, when a Civil Governor, Jamaica’s first, was appointed by Britain with powers to call the National Assembly which had responsibility to create and enforce laws.

The structure existed for many years and was replaced after the Morant Bay Rebellion in 1865, when fears of further outbreaks of violence led the then Governor, Edward John Eyre, to successfully appeal to the National Assembly to surrender their Government in favour of a pure Crown Colony. Under this system, lasted which lasted until 1884, the entire legislature was nominated by the British Crown.

From 1884, a semi-representational Crown Colony Government was implemented. This structure allowed for the formation of the Legislature which comprised members nominated by the Crown in England, and others who were nominated locally. This system was frequently criticised, however, as authority over the island’s affairs resided solely with the Governor. Moreover, little had changed in the social circumstances of the people since Emancipation, and the worldwide economic depression of the 1930s had exacerbated the social ills of the poor.

By 1938, protest action by labour groups demanding better wages and improved working conditions paved the way for the rise of national leaders such as Sir Alexander Bustamante and Norman Washington Manley, both of whom were declared National Heroes of Jamaica in later years. Sir Alexander founded the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union in 1939 and the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) in 1943; and Mr. Manley, a prominent barrister, formed the People’s National Party (PNP) in January 1938 and the National Workers Union in 1952.

Through these organised vehicles which advocated for improved social conditions islandwide and Jamaica’s independence from Britain, the criticisms of Crown Colony Government became increasingly vociferous.

In November 1944, Britain substituted the Crown Colony system with a bicameral Parliament, comprising a House of Representatives and a Legislative Council. It also created an Executive Council to manage the island’s internal affairs. Members of the House of Representatives would be chosen after General Elections. Under this system, all men and women over twenty-one years were allowed to vote for the first time in Jamaica’s history (Universal Adult Suffrage).

The 1944 constitutional amendments were consolidated in 1953, after which Ministers were granted executive authority over the portfolios under their control. However, the areas of Justice, Defence and Foreign Affairs remained under Britain’s control.

By 1957, the Executive Council was replaced by a Council of Ministers, over which the Chief Minister presided. With the transfer of authority to the Chief Minister, the post of Governor became largely symbolic and Jamaica had achieved full internal self-government, despite still being a colony of the United Kingdom.

As Jamaica progressed under internal self-government, the British Parliament amalgamated all its colonies under the West Indies Federation on January 3, 1958. The first election to the Federation took place later that year on March 25, with the West Indies Federal Labour Party (WIFLP) emerging victorious over the Democratic Labour Party of the West Indies (DLPWI) to form the first West Indies Government.

The Federation functioned successfully for almost two years, until Sir Alexander advocated for Jamaica’s withdrawal, and Mr. Manley, who was then Chief Minister, ordered a referendum on the matter. On September 19, 1961, the electorate voted for Jamaica to discontinue its membership. The day after the referendum, Chief Minister Manley called a meeting of the Cabinet to discuss the necessary steps for Jamaica to attain full independence.

Weeks later, a committee successfully drafted an Independence Constitution for Jamaica, according to which, executive authority would rest with the Governor-General, who represented the Queen, while the bicameral Parliament, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate, was retained. Also, a Cabinet of Ministers would have responsibility for administrating national affairs.

Between February1 and 9, 1962, a bi-partisan committee of Jamaican politicians finally negotiated Jamaica’s Independence, bringing to an end over 300 years of colonial rule and marked 450 years since their unsuspecting ancestors were enslaved and brought to Jamaica from West Africa.

August 6, 1962, will continue to serve as a reminder of the diligent efforts of our patriots in winning the rights of their countrymen to face the future no longer as servants of Britain, but as citizens of Jamaica, land we love.