Decolonisation in the Caribbean
I can explain events leading to independence for Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago in 1962.
Decolonisation in the Caribbean
I can explain events leading to independence for Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago in 1962.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The 1930s saw unrest in Britain's Caribbean colonies, including strikes and riots over living and working conditions.
- The Moyne Report recognised these conditions, recommending political and economic reforms.
- In 1944, a new constitution was made for Jamaica which gave the country greater autonomy and self government.
- Britain unsuccessfully attempted to unite its Caribbean colonies into the West Indian Federation (1958-62).
- In 1962, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago were granted independence from Britain, with many states following suit.
Keywords
Plantation - a large estate on which cash crops, such as sugar cane, are grown
Autonomy - having the freedom to make your own decisions and control your own affairs without outside interference
Constitution - the basic principles or laws which govern a nation state
Self government - when people in a community or region make their own decisions about laws, policies, and leadership without outside control
Federation - a system where different states or regions come together to form a single, larger organisation, while still keeping some control over their own local affairs
Common misconception
All Caribbean countries gained independence from Britain at the same time.
Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago were the first of Britain's Caribbean colonies to achieve independence in 1962, however, the last British colony in the Caribbean to gain independence was Saint Kitts and Nevis in 1983.
To help you plan your year 9 history lesson on: Decolonisation in the Caribbean, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 9 history lesson on: Decolonisation in the Caribbean, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 3 history lessons from the Decolonisation: how similar was decolonisation throughout the British Empire? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
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Adult supervision required
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