West Indies Federation facts for kids
The West Indies Federation was a group of Caribbean islands that tried to form one independent country. It was also called the Federation of the West Indies. This special group was created on January 3, 1958. It was made up of several Caribbean islands that were colonies of the United Kingdom. The main goal of the Federation was for these islands to become independent from Britain together, as one big nation. They hoped to be like Canada or Australia, which are also federations. However, the Federation did not last very long. It ended on May 31, 1962, because of disagreements among its members.
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What Was the West Indies Federation?
The West Indies Federation was an attempt to unite ten British Caribbean territories. These territories wanted to gain their independence from Britain as a single country. The idea was to create a strong new nation in the Caribbean.
Members of the Federation
The Federation included several islands and groups of islands. Each of these places had its own government, but they agreed to join together.
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Barbados
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Jamaica
- Montserrat
- Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla (now Saint Kitts and Nevis and Anguilla)
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent
- Trinidad and Tobago
Why Was It Formed?
The main reason for forming the Federation was to achieve independence. Britain was giving more freedom to its colonies around the world. The leaders of the Caribbean islands believed that by joining together, they would be stronger. They thought a larger country would have more power and a better future. They also hoped to improve their economies and work together on common goals.
How the Federation Worked
The Federation had its own government, just like a country. It had a leader, a parliament, and a court system. The capital city of the Federation was Port of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago.
The Government Structure
The government of the Federation was set up with different parts:
- Governor-General: This person was the Queen's representative. They were the head of the Federation.
- Prime Minister: The Prime Minister was the head of the government. They were chosen by the people's representatives.
- Parliament: This was made up of two parts: a Senate and a House of Representatives. Members of Parliament made laws for the Federation.
Why the Federation Ended
Even though the idea was good, the Federation faced many challenges. These problems eventually led to its collapse.
Disagreements Among Members
One of the biggest problems was that the member islands had different ideas. They disagreed on many things, like how much power the central government should have. Some islands felt they were giving up too much control. Others worried about how money would be shared.
Jamaica's Decision
Jamaica was the largest and most populated island in the Federation. In 1961, Jamaica held a vote to decide if it should stay in the Federation. The people of Jamaica voted to leave. This was a huge blow to the Federation. Without Jamaica, the Federation was much weaker.
Trinidad and Tobago's Choice
After Jamaica left, Trinidad and Tobago also decided to leave the Federation. They chose to seek their own independence. With these two large members gone, the Federation could not continue. It officially ended in May 1962.
What Happened After?
After the Federation broke up, most of the former member islands gained independence on their own. They became separate countries.
New Independent Nations
Many of the islands that were part of the Federation are now independent nations. They still work together on some things, but as individual countries. For example, they are part of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), which helps them cooperate on trade and other issues.
Images for kids
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A 1958 St. Vincent stamp marking the establishment of the West Indies Federation
