West Indies Federation

West Indian history

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July 23, 2026

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The West Indies Federation was a short-lived political union of British colonies in the Caribbean. Established in 1958, it aimed to create a unified entity for decolonization and self-governance. The federation included most of the British West Indies, excluding the Bahamas and the British Virgin Islands.

However, internal rivalries between the islands and a strong desire for individual independence proved too powerful for the federation to survive. It was dissolved in 1961, leading to a phased approach to independence for the individual territories over the following decades. Some islands, like Montserrat, remain British dependencies.123

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Dominica
The French and British colonial period
In 1958 Dominica joined the West Indies Federation. After that organization was dissolved in 1962, discussions for alternative forms of federation took place. Those issues were settled when the British government passed the West Indies Act of 1967, which gave Dominica the status of association with the United Kingdom. Under…
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In 1958 Dominica joined the West Indies Federation. After that organization was dissolved in 1962, discussions for alternative forms of federation took place. Those issues were settled when the British government passed the West Indies Act of 1967, which gave Dominica the status of association with the United Kingdom. Under…
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Grenada
British rule
…1958, when Grenada joined the West Indies Federation. The federation ended in 1962, after which Grenada attempted to federate with the remaining territories in the Windward Islands, as well as with Barbados and the Leeward Islands. On March 3, 1967, however, the island became a self-governing state in association with…
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…1958, when Grenada joined the West Indies Federation. The federation ended in 1962, after which Grenada attempted to federate with the remaining territories in the Windward Islands, as well as with Barbados and the Leeward Islands. On March 3, 1967, however, the island became a self-governing state in association with…
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Jamaica
Self-government of Jamaica
…a founding member of the West Indies Federation, a group of Caribbean islands that formed a unit within the Commonwealth. Norman Manley, leader of the People’s National Party (PNP), became premier after the elections of July 1959, but in 1960 the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) under Sir Alexander Bustamante pressed…
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…a founding member of the West Indies Federation, a group of Caribbean islands that formed a unit within the Commonwealth. Norman Manley, leader of the People’s National Party (PNP), became premier after the elections of July 1959, but in 1960 the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) under Sir Alexander Bustamante pressed…
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