Norman Manley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Right Excellent
Norman Manley
ONH MM QC
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| 1st Premier of Jamaica | |
| In office 14 August 1959 – 29 April 1962 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor | Kenneth Blackburne |
| Preceded by | Himself as Chief Minister |
| Succeeded by | Alexander Bustamante |
| 2nd Chief Minister of Jamaica | |
| In office 2 February 1955 – 14 August 1959 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor | The Lord Caradon |
| Preceded by | Alexander Bustamante |
| Succeeded by | Himself as Premier |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Norman Washington Manley
4 July 1893 Roxborough, Manchester, Colony of Jamaica |
| Died | 2 September 1969 (aged 76) Kingston, Jamaica |
| Political party | People's National Party |
| Spouse | Edna Manley |
| Children | Douglas Manley Michael Manley |
| Education | Jamaica College |
| Alma mater | Jesus College, Oxford (BCL) |
| Profession | Lawyer |
| Nickname | National Hero of Jamaica |
Norman Washington Manley (4 July 1893 – 2 September 1969) was a very important Jamaican leader. He was the first and only Premier of Jamaica. A Rhodes Scholar, Manley became one of Jamaica's top lawyers in the 1920s. He strongly believed that everyone should have the right to vote. This right was given by the British government in 1944.
Manley helped start the People's National Party (PNP) in 1938. This party worked closely with trade unions. He led the PNP in every election from 1944 to 1967. Their efforts led to a new Constitution in 1944, which gave all adults the right to vote.
He served as Jamaica's Chief Minister from 1955 to 1959. Then he became Premier from 1959 to 1962. Manley wanted Jamaica to govern itself. He agreed for Jamaica to join the West Indies Federation with other British colonies. However, he held a referendum in 1961. The voters decided that Jamaica should leave the Federation. After this, he called for a general election.
Contents
Early Life and Achievements
Norman Manley was born in Roxborough, Jamaica. His parents were of mixed race. His father, Thomas Albert Samuel Manley, was a small businessman. His mother, Margaret Ann Shearer, had Irish and mixed-race heritage.
Norman Manley was a very bright student, a brave soldier, and a great athlete. He attended Jamaica College and won many medals in school sports. In 1911, he set a schoolboy record in the 100-yard dash. This record was not broken until 1952.
After his mother died in 1913, Manley went to the UK to continue his studies. He earned a Rhodes Scholarship to study at Jesus College at the University of Oxford. There, he earned a law degree with top honors.
Manley served in the Royal Field Artillery during World War I. He received the Military Medal for his bravery during the war.
Political Journey
After the war, Manley became a lawyer in England in 1921. He returned to Jamaica in 1922 and continued his law practice.
During the Great Depression in the 1930s, Manley supported the workers. He gave his time and legal help to those in need. In September 1938, Manley helped create the People's National Party (PNP). This party was linked to the Trade Union Congress. Later, it connected with the National Workers Union. The PNP supported the trade union movement. At the same time, Manley worked hard for all adults to get the right to vote.
In 1943, Alexander Bustamante left the PNP. He formed his own party, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP). After voting rights were approved in 1944, Manley's party had to wait ten years to win an election. In the 1944 elections, the JLP won more votes and seats. Bustamante became the unofficial leader of the government.
The 1949 Jamaican general election was very close. The PNP received more votes, but the JLP won more seats. In 1954, the PNP removed four members, including Richard Hart. This was because of their political views.
Becoming Chief Minister
In the 1955 Jamaican general election, the PNP won for the first time. They secured 18 out of 32 seats. As a result, Norman Manley became the new Chief Minister.
The 1959 Jamaican general election was held on 28 July 1959. The number of seats in parliament increased to 45. The PNP won by a larger margin, taking 29 seats.
Leading Jamaica as Premier
Manley served as Chief Minister from 1955 to 1959. One of his main goals was to ensure all children could go to public schools. The Jamaica Institute of Technology was set up in 1958. Also, Caledonia Junior College was started to train more teachers. The Education Law was changed in 1958. This made the Minister of Education responsible for the whole education system.
A five-year education plan from 1955 was expanded to a ten-year plan in 1957. By 1958, 15% of government money was spent on education. This money helped provide grants for secondary education. This allowed more children to attend high school. In 1958, the Common Entrance examination was introduced. This offered 2,000 free high school places each year. Before this, most high school students paid fees.
Manley was appointed Jamaica's first Premier on 14 August 1959. As Premier, Manley renegotiated a contract with bauxite companies. This led to a six times increase in government income. His government also created many new organizations. These organizations helped regulate and play an active role in different industries.
The PNP's plan for Jamaica included more factories, increased farm production, and land reform. Five years after he took office, Manley could say that much had been done. This helped to balance how land was owned in Jamaica. The government passed a Land Bonds Law. This law allowed the government to buy land for public use. It also provided ways to pay the landowners fairly.
Thousands of small farmers received help. New markets were opened for various farm products. The Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation was set up for public education and fun. It also encouraged Jamaican creative talent. Public library services were expanded to all areas. Many primary schools were built.
Help for farmers also increased during Manley's time. Instead of just giving money, the government offered incentives. They also provided easy loans. The money for farm loans went up a lot from 1954 to 1961. This money was available for things like improving land, dairy farming, and fish farming.
In 1960, a pension plan for sugar workers was started. The Shops and Offices Act was passed in May 1961. This law set rules for business hours. It also regulated working hours for people in shops and offices.
The West Indies Federation and Independence
Manley strongly supported the West Indies Federation. He saw it as a way for Jamaica to become self-governing. When Bustamante said his party would take Jamaica out of the Federation, Manley called for a referendum. This was the first time such a vote happened in Jamaica. It let the people decide.
In the 1961 referendum, Jamaica voted 54% to leave the West Indies Federation. The people clearly voted against staying in the union. Manley then made sure Jamaica left the union in an orderly way. He set up a committee to create a constitution for Jamaica's independence.
Manley led the team that negotiated Jamaica's independence. Then he called an election. This election would make him the Leader of the Opposition instead of Jamaica's first Prime Minister. Manley held elections in April 1962 to get support for the island's independence. In the 1962 Jamaican general election, the JLP won 26 seats, and the PNP won 19.
This led to the independence of Jamaica on 6 August 1962. Several other British colonies in the West Indies became independent soon after. Bustamante became Premier between April and August 1962. On independence day, he became Jamaica's first Prime Minister.
Later Years and Lasting Impact
Manley lost the next election to the JLP in 1967. He spent his last years serving as the Leader of the Opposition. He helped define the role of the opposition in a new nation.
Due to a breathing illness, Manley retired from politics on his birthday in 1969. He passed away later that year, on 2 September 1969. His tomb was designed by a famous Jamaican sculptor, Christopher Gonzalez.
Family Life
Norman Manley married his cousin, Edna Manley, in 1921. They had two sons. Their second son, Michael Manley, also became a politician. He later became the fourth Prime Minister of Jamaica. Their older son, Douglas Manley, became a university lecturer and government minister.
Honoring a National Hero
After his death, Manley was named a National Hero of Jamaica on 18 October 1969. His cousin Bustamante, who was still alive, also received this honor. They joined other heroes like Marcus Garvey and Paul Bogle. Norman Manley's image can be seen on the Jamaican Five Dollar Coin. This shows his importance as a national hero.
