Why did the West Indies Federation end in 1962?

The West Indies Federation, which existed from 1958 to 1962, was a British attempt to foster regional decolonization and establish democratic governance across its Caribbean territories. The federation ultimately dissolved in May 1962 due to a combination of internal political pressures and regional rivalries.123

A primary factor in the collapse was the political situation in Jamaica, a founding member. In 1960, the Jamaica Labour Party, led by Sir Alexander Bustamante, began advocating for the island's secession from the federation. This movement gained significant momentum, and a 1961 referendum ultimately supported the decision to withdraw. Following the victory of the Jamaica Labour Party in the April 1962 elections, the federation was dissolved the following month.3

Beyond specific political shifts in Jamaica, the broader project struggled because traditional interisland rivalries and a growing impetus toward individual national independence proved too strong for the colonial federation to remain a viable political organization.2