Eric Williams facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eric Williams
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| 1st Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago | |
| In office 31 August 1962 – 29 March 1981 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| President | Ellis Clarke |
| Governor-General | Solomon Hochoy Ellis Clarke |
| Opposition Leader | Rudranath Capildeo Vernon Jamadar John R. F. Richardson Basdeo Panday Raffique Shah |
| Preceded by | Himself as Premier of Trinidad and Tobago |
| Succeeded by | George Chambers |
| 1st Premier of Trinidad and Tobago | |
| In office 9 July 1959 – 31 August 1962 |
|
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor | Solomon Hochoy Edward Beetham |
| Opposition Leader | Bhadase Sagan Maraj |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| 2nd Chief Minister of Trinidad and Tobago | |
| In office 28 October 1956 – 9 July 1959 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor | Edward Beetham |
| Opposition Leader | Bhadase Sagan Maraj |
| Preceded by | Albert Gomes |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| Political Leader of the People's National Movement | |
| In office 1955–1981 |
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| Preceded by | Party established |
| Succeeded by | George Chambers |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Eric Eustace Williams
25 September 1911 Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago |
| Died | 29 March 1981 (aged 69) Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago |
| Political party | People's National Movement |
| Other political affiliations |
West Indies Federal Labour Party (1957–1962) |
| Spouses |
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| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | St. Catherine's College, Oxford Queen's Royal College |
| Nickname | The Father of the Nation' |
Eric Eustace Williams (born September 25, 1911 – died March 29, 1981) was a very important politician from Trinidad and Tobago. Many people call him the "Father of the Nation". He led the British Colony of Trinidad and Tobago to become self-governing in 1956. Then, he led the country to full independence in 1962. Trinidad and Tobago became a republic in 1976.
Williams was the first Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. His political party, the People's National Movement, won every election until he passed away in 1981. He was also a famous Caribbean historian. His most well-known book is Capitalism and Slavery.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Eric Williams was born on September 25, 1911. His father, Thomas Henry Williams, worked for the government. His mother, Eliza Frances Boissiere, had African and French family roots.
Eric went to Tranquillity Boys' Intermediate Government School. Later, he studied at Queen's Royal College in Port of Spain. He was excellent in his studies and also played football very well. A football injury caused a hearing problem, so he used a hearing aid.
In 1932, he won a special scholarship. This allowed him to attend St. Catherine's College at Oxford University in England. In 1935, he earned a top degree in history. He was the best history student that year. He also played football for the university.
Scholarly Work and Research
After graduating from Oxford, Eric Williams faced challenges. He wrote in his book Inward Hunger that he struggled to find money for his research. He also experienced some unfair treatment because of his race.
However, in 1936, he received a grant to continue his history research at Oxford. He finished his advanced degree (D.Phil) in 1938. His main research was about how the slave trade ended. This work was published as Capitalism and Slavery in 1944.
Ideas on Slavery and Economics
In Capitalism and Slavery, Williams argued that the end of the slave trade was not just about kindness. He believed it was also driven by economic reasons. As new ways of making money grew, like factories and paid workers, slavery became less profitable. This idea was a new way to look at history.
Some historians have debated Williams' ideas. But his book is still very important for studying Caribbean history. It changed how many people thought about slavery and its connection to the Industrial Revolution.
In 1939, Williams started working at Howard University in the United States. He organized a conference in 1943 about the future of the Caribbean. He thought that small islands would be weak if they became independent alone. He suggested that they should form a federation (a group of states working together) to be stronger.
Entering Public Life
In 1944, Williams joined the Anglo-American Caribbean Commission. He returned to Trinidad in 1948 to work for the Commission. While there, he gave many popular educational talks.
In 1955, his contract with the Commission ended. He then gave a famous speech in Woodford Square in Port of Spain. He said he would now focus on helping his home country. He called Woodford Square "The University of Woodford Square". He gave many public lectures there on history and politics. Large crowds from all parts of society came to listen.
Starting a Political Party
From these public talks, Eric Williams started his own political party. On January 15, 1956, he launched the People's National Movement (PNM). This party would lead Trinidad and Tobago to independence. It would also be a major force in the country's politics for many years.
The PNM was very organized, unlike other political groups at the time. In elections held eight months later, the PNM won 13 of 24 elected seats. Williams became the Chief Minister.
Leading to Independence
After World War II, the British government wanted its colonies to become independent. They hoped these colonies would form federations, like Canada. In the British West Indies, many leaders wanted this too.
In 1958, the West Indies Federation was formed. It included many British Caribbean islands. However, British Guiana (now Guyana) and British Honduras (now Belize) did not join. This left Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago as the biggest members.
Leaving the Federation
Williams and his PNM party were part of the West Indies Federal Labour Party. However, Williams became unhappy with the Federation. Jamaica later decided to leave the Federation. This meant Trinidad and Tobago would have to pay most of the Federation's costs.
Williams famously said that "one from ten leaves nought." This meant that without Jamaica, the Federation would not work. On January 15, 1962, Williams decided to pull Trinidad and Tobago out of the West Indies Federation. This led the British government to break up the Federation entirely.
Achieving Independence
In 1961, the PNM won 20 out of 30 seats in the general elections. This strong win allowed them to create the Independence Constitution.
Trinidad and Tobago became an independent nation on August 31, 1962. This happened 25 days after Jamaica gained its independence. Eric Williams became the first Prime Minister of independent Trinidad and Tobago. He also served as the Minister of Finance for several years.
Black Power Movement
Between 1968 and 1970, the Black Power movement grew in Trinidad and Tobago. This movement aimed to empower Black people and address social issues. Students and trade unionists led protests.
The Black Power Revolution began during the 1970 Carnival. Williams responded by saying, "I am for Black Power." He introduced new taxes to help reduce unemployment. He also started the first local commercial bank. However, the protests continued.
On April 3, 1970, a protester was killed by the police. This led to more unrest. On April 21, Williams declared a State of Emergency and arrested many Black Power leaders. Some parts of the army also mutinied, but this was stopped quickly.
Williams tried to show his support for the Black Power movement's goals. He changed his cabinet, removing some ministers. He also suggested a new law to control protests, but this was withdrawn after public opposition.
Death
Prime Minister Eric Eustace Williams passed away on March 29, 1981. He died at his home in St. Anne, a neighborhood in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. He was 69 years old.
Legacy and Contributions
Eric Williams made lasting contributions as a scholar and a leader.
Academic Contributions
Williams focused his studies on slavery. His 1944 book, Capitalism and Slavery, is still very important. It argued that economic reasons, not just kindness, played a big part in ending the slave trade. He believed that as new industries grew, slavery became less profitable.
Many experts agree that Williams' work shaped how Caribbean history is studied. His ideas are often the starting point for discussions on British capitalism and slavery.
Williams also wrote other important books about the Caribbean. These include British Historians and the West Indies and From Columbus to Castro. These books challenged old ways of thinking about Caribbean history.
In 1969, Williams sent a message to NASA for the Apollo 11 moon landing. His message is still on the moon today. He wrote, "It is our earnest hope for mankind that while we gain the moon, we shall not lose the world."
The Eric Williams Memorial Collection
The Eric Williams Memorial Collection (EWMC) is located at the University of the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago. It was opened in 1998 by former US Secretary of State Colin Powell. In 1999, UNESCO added it to their Memory of the World Register. This means it is considered a very important historical collection.
The Collection holds Dr. Williams' personal library and archives. It has about 7,000 books, letters, speeches, and research notes. It also has many items from his life and copies of his book Capitalism and Slavery translated into different languages. There are also photos and a re-creation of his study.
Dr. Colin Palmer, a history professor, called the Collection "a national treasure."
Film
In 2011, a documentary film was made about Eric Williams. It was called Inward Hunger: the Story of Eric Williams. This film was made to celebrate 100 years since his birth.
See also
In Spanish: Eric Eustace Williams para niños
