Brief Political History of Jamaica

Summary

The video script explores Jamaica's history from its colonization by the Spanish and British, through slavery and resistance, to its independence in 1962. It touches on significant events like the Maroon Wars, the shift from sugar to banana production, and the rise of political movements like Black Nationalism and Rastafarianism. The script also discusses the country's political evolution, economic challenges, and social struggles, highlighting key figures and pivotal moments that shaped Jamaica's path to modernity.

Takeaways

• 🏝️ Jamaica's history was significantly influenced by slavery and colonialism, transitioning from a Spanish to a British colony with a history of resistance.
• 👑 Christopher Columbus first claimed Jamaica for Spain in 1494, and later, the Spanish introduced enslaved Africans after the local Taino population was decimated.
• 🇬🇧 The English took control of Jamaica in 1655, and despite challenges, including from Spanish loyalists and Maroons (escaped slaves), they maintained control into the 20th century.
• 💎 Jamaica's economy flourished with the development of a plantation system focused on crops like cocoa, coffee, and sugarcane, which relied heavily on enslaved labor.
• 💸 The wealth of Jamaica's English elite grew immensely from the sugar trade and the transatlantic slave trade, making Jamaica a crucial hub for the British Empire.
• 🔥 Major slave uprisings, such as the Baptist War in 1831, contributed to the eventual abolition of slavery in 1833, though full emancipation wasn't realized until 1838.
• 🗳️ After abolition, Jamaica faced political and economic challenges, including restrictive voting laws and a shift from sugar to banana production, impacting the social fabric of the country.
• 🌊 Natural disasters like the 1692 earthquake in Port Royal and subsequent hurricanes had profound effects on Jamaica's development and population movements.
• 👥 Key political figures like Norman Manley and Alexander Bustamante emerged in the 20th century, shaping Jamaica's path to independence and founding political parties that continue to dominate Jamaican politics.
• 🎖️ Jamaica gained full independence on August 6, 1962, becoming a member of the Commonwealth with its own flag and national identity.
• 🚨 Post-independence Jamaica has grappled with high crime rates, political instability, and economic challenges, including fluctuations in the banana trade and tourism sectors.

Q & A

What significant event marked Jamaica's transition from a Spanish to a British colony?

The significant event was the invasion by English forces led by Sir William Penn in 1655, which resulted in Jamaica remaining under British control until the 20th century.

What was the role of the Maroons in Jamaica's history?

The Maroons were enslaved people who escaped and took to the hills, fiercely defending their freedom against the British. They played a crucial role in the First and Second Maroon Wars and eventually negotiated treaties for autonomy and land in exchange for helping the British suppress rebellions.

How did the buccaneers contribute to Jamaica's early economic prosperity?

Buccaneers, initially seen as a threat, later became allies to the British during the Second Dutch War. They defended Jamaica, contributed to its wealth through raids on enemy vessels, and helped establish Port Royal as a major city and trading hub.

What was the impact of the 1692 earthquake on Port Royal?

The 1692 earthquake caused massive destruction in Port Royal, toppling much of the city into the sea and killing over 2,000 people. This led to the decline of Port Royal and the rise of Kingston as Jamaica's new capital.

What was the significance of the 1831 Baptist War in Jamaica's history?

The Baptist War, led by Samuel Sharpe, was the largest slave uprising in Jamaica's history. It involved a general strike that escalated into violence, leading to the destruction of property and loss of life. The rebellion's suppression influenced the British Parliament to pass the Slavery Abolition Act in 1833.

How did the Morant Bay Rebellion of 1865 affect Jamaica's political landscape?

The Morant Bay Rebellion led to the declaration of martial law and the execution of many rebels, including Paul Bogle. The British government's response resulted in Jamaica becoming a crown colony directly ruled by the British Parliament, marking a significant change in the island's governance.

What were the key factors that led to Jamaica's independence in 1962?

Jamaica's independence was the culmination of a process of constitutional decolonization, which included labor riots, the granting of universal suffrage in 1944, and virtual autonomy in 1947. The Jamaican Labour Party and the People's National Party, founded by Norman Manley and Alexander Bustamante, played pivotal roles in this process.

How did the banana trade impact Jamaica's economy and tourism industry?

The banana trade, which began in 1866, became a major source of income for Jamaica, peaking in 1921. It also expanded the tourism industry as banana traders promoted the island to defray transport costs, eventually leading to a significant source of GDP in the 1950s.

What is the significance of the Rastafarianism movement in Jamaica's cultural and political identity?

Rastafarianism is an Afro-centric, Abrahamic religion that gained respectability and visibility in the 1960s and 1970s, largely due to the popularity of Bob Marley and other reggae musicians. It promoted the idea of Africa as the promised land and influenced Jamaica's social and political identity.

How have Jamaica's political parties, the Jamaican Labour Party (JLP) and the People's National Party (PNP), shaped the country's political history?

The JLP and PNP, founded by Alexander Bustamante and Norman Manley respectively, have dominated Jamaican politics since the country's independence. Every prime minister has been a member of one of these parties, with the JLP being more conservative and the PNP leaning towards democratic socialism.

What are some of the major challenges Jamaica faces today as it approaches its 60th year of independence?

Jamaica faces significant challenges, including high crime rates, poverty, environmental threats due to deforestation and overdevelopment, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its economy, particularly the tourism sector.

Outlines

00:00

🏰 Early History and Colonial Struggles of Jamaica

This paragraph outlines Jamaica's early history, shaped by slavery and colonialism. It narrates the island's transition from a Spanish colony to a British one, with resistance from the indigenous Taino people. Christopher Columbus's arrival in 1494 and subsequent Spanish colonization are discussed, including the exploitation of the Taino and the introduction of enslaved Africans. The paragraph also covers the English invasion in 1655, leading to Jamaica's long-term British rule, and the challenges faced by the English, including battles with Spanish loyalists and Maroons (escaped slaves). The rise of the buccaneers and their role in defending Jamaica during times of war is also highlighted.

05:00

🌍 The Impact of Slavery and the Maroon Wars on Jamaica

This section delves into the brutal history of the transatlantic slave trade in Jamaica, detailing the conditions of the Middle Passage and the treatment of enslaved Africans upon arrival. It discusses the significant wealth generated by the English elite through sugar production and the slave trade. The paragraph also covers the major slave uprisings, including the First Maroon War and the Baptist War, and the treaties that granted the Maroons autonomy. The economic reliance on enslaved labor and the living conditions of the planters and slaves are also explored, highlighting the tension and rebellions that persisted despite treaties with the Maroons.

10:02

🔨 The Road to Emancipation and Political Reform in Jamaica

This paragraph discusses the journey towards the abolition of slavery in Jamaica, culminating in the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 and unconditional emancipation in 1838. It describes the limited improvements in the lives of the formerly enslaved, the introduction of poll taxes to restrict voting rights, and the socio-economic conditions leading to the Morant Bay Rebellion of 1865. The response to the rebellion led to Jamaica becoming a crown colony, and the subsequent political and economic changes, including the shift from sugar to banana production and the growth of tourism, are outlined. The emergence of social and political movements like Black Nationalism and Rastafarianism, along with the key figures Norman Manley and Alexander Bustamante, who shaped Jamaica's path to independence, are also covered.

15:02

🗽 Independence and the Struggle for Political Power in Jamaica

The paragraph focuses on Jamaica's independence, achieved on August 6, 1962, and the establishment of the two dominant political parties, the Jamaican Labour Party (JLP) and the People's National Party (PNP), founded by Alexander Bustamante and Norman Manley, respectively. It details the political landscape post-independence, including the leadership of Michael Manley and his socialist policies, the economic challenges faced, and the political shifts that occurred with the rise of Edward Seaga and later Percival James Patterson. The paragraph also touches on the social unrest, crime, and environmental issues that have persisted in Jamaican society.

20:03

📉 Economic Challenges and Sociopolitical Turmoil in Modern Jamaica

This final paragraph examines the economic growth and challenges faced by Jamaica in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. It discusses the slowdown in economic growth, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the tourism industry, and the high poverty rate. The paragraph also addresses the persistent issues of crime, political violence, and the struggle to improve living conditions for the population. It concludes with a reflection on the ongoing challenges as Jamaica approaches its 60th year of independence, leaving the reader to consider the future prospects for the country.

Keywords

💡Slavery

Slavery refers to the condition of people being held as property and deprived of personal freedom, often forced to perform labor. In the context of the video, it is a major factor in Jamaica's history, with the Spanish introducing enslaved Africans to the island after the local Taino population was decimated. Slavery's legacy is deeply intertwined with Jamaica's socio-economic and political development, as seen in the resistance movements and the struggles for emancipation highlighted in the script.

💡Colonialism

Colonialism is the policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically. The video discusses how Jamaica transitioned from a Spanish colony to a British one, with colonial powers shaping the island's economic and social structures, particularly through the establishment of plantation economies and the exploitation of enslaved labor.

💡Independence

Independence in this context means the state of being free from the control of another country, achieving self-governance. Jamaica did not gain its independence until 1962, which marked a significant shift in the country's political landscape. The video script describes the uneven path Jamaica took to reach this milestone, reflecting on the historical struggles and the impact of colonial legacies on the country's journey towards self-rule.

💡Maroons

Maroons are escaped enslaved people who established independent communities in remote or inaccessible areas, often resisting recapture. The script mentions the Maroons in Jamaica, who played a significant role in resisting British control, engaging in guerrilla warfare, and eventually negotiating treaties for autonomy in exchange for assisting the British in suppressing other rebellions.

💡Buccaneers

Buccaneers were privateers, essentially legalized pirates, who were sponsored by the British to disrupt enemy shipping and settlements during times of war. The video explains how these seafaring individuals evolved into a powerful force in Jamaica, contributing to the island's economy and culture, particularly through the development of Port Royal as a major city and base for these privateers.

💡Plantation Economy

A plantation economy is an economic system based on large-scale agricultural production, typically involving the use of large plots of land and significant labor forces. The script describes how Jamaica's economy developed around cash crops like cocoa, coffee, and sugarcane, which were cultivated on plantations that relied heavily on the labor of enslaved people.

💡Emancipation

Emancipation refers to the act of setting someone free from slavery or servitude. The video discusses the journey towards emancipation in Jamaica, including the pivotal Baptist War in 1831, which contributed to the British Parliament passing the Slavery Abolition Act in 1833, and the eventual unconditional emancipation of chattel slavery in 1838.

💡Rastafarianism

Rastafarianism is a religious and cultural movement that originated in Jamaica in the 1930s. It is characterized by beliefs in social justice, repatriation to Africa, and the worship of Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia. The video script highlights the movement's influence on Jamaica's social and political identity, particularly through the popularity of reggae musicians like Bob Marley.

💡Black Nationalism

Black Nationalism is a political ideology that advocates for the self-determination of people of African descent, often emphasizing economic and political independence from white dominance. The video mentions Marcus Garvey as a key figure in promoting Black Nationalism in Jamaica, founding the country's first modern political party and advocating for financial independence.

💡Decolonization

Decolonization is the process by which a country regains control over its own affairs from a colonial power. The script outlines the constitutional decolonization of Jamaica, which began with the labor riots of 1938 and culminated in the island's full independence in 1962, transitioning from a British colony to a sovereign nation within the Commonwealth.

💡Political Parties

Political parties are organized groups of people who share similar political views and work together to influence government policies and actions. The video discusses the formation of the two dominant political parties in Jamaica, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the People's National Party (PNP), founded by Alexander Bustamante and Norman Manley, respectively, which have shaped the country's post-independence political landscape.

Highlights

Jamaica's history has been deeply influenced by slavery and colonialism, transitioning from a Spanish to a British colony with a history of resistance.

Christopher Columbus first encountered the Taino people in 1494, leading to Spanish colonization and the renaming of the island to Santiago.

Columbus's use of a lunar eclipse to intimidate the Taino people into submission during his time marooned on the island.

The Spanish introduced enslaved Africans to Jamaica after decimating the Taino population.

Jamaica's shift from a Spanish to a British colony occurred in 1655 under Sir William Penn, leading to British control until the 20th century.

The English faced challenges from Spanish loyalists and the Maroons, escaped enslaved people who fiercely defended their freedom.

The development of a plantation economy around cocoa, coffee, and sugarcane, which contributed to Jamaica's prosperity under British rule.

The rise of privateers, or buccaneers, who played a significant role in Jamaica's economy and defense during the 17th century.

The significant impact of the 1692 earthquake on Port Royal, leading to the city's decline and the rise of Kingston.

The immense wealth of Jamaica's English elite from the sugar trade and the transatlantic slave trade.

The brutality of the Middle Passage and the high mortality rate among enslaved Africans brought to Jamaica.

The major slave uprisings, including the First Maroon War and the Baptist War, which challenged British authority.

The Abolition of Slavery Act of 1833 and the subsequent emancipation of enslaved people in Jamaica.

The introduction of poll taxes that restricted voting rights for the formerly enslaved population, maintaining a power imbalance.

The 1865 Morant Bay Rebellion led by Paul Bogle, which resulted in significant political changes and Jamaica becoming a crown colony.

The shift in Jamaica's economy from sugar to banana production and the growth of the tourism industry.

The rise of political movements like Black Nationalism and Rastafarianism, which shaped Jamaica's social and political identity.

The influential political careers of Norman Manley and Alexander Bustamante, who founded the two dominant political parties in Jamaica.

Jamaica's path to independence in 1962 and the establishment of the Jamaican Labour Party and the People's National Party.

The challenges Jamaica faces in its 60th year of independence, including high crime rates and poverty.

Transcripts

jamaica's history has been shaped by

slavery and colonialism

it went from a spanish colony to a

british one with a long traditional

resistance throughout

and yet it did not gain independence

until 1962.

since then its path has been uneven to

see why join me for this brief explainer

on the history and politics of jamaica

the spanish were the first europeans to

set eyes on the island

when christopher columbus and his men

landed there in 1494

what they encountered was a group of

local tainos subsistence farmers who

organize themselves into communal

villages and call their home

zamaka or land of wood and water

after a brief stay columbus claimed the

island for spain

and christened it santoyago he would be

back nearly a decade later

when on his fourth and final voyage to

the americas

on his way to hispaniola his warm eaten

ships became no longer sea worthy

around saint anne's bay and he ended up

marooned in the island for nearly a year

while he sent men to hispaniola for help

he and his crew

lived off the goodwill of his taino

hosts

according to spanish chronicles the

tainos eventually tired of providing for

them

but columbus was able to frighten back

into submission

when after consulting his almanac he

predicted that their vengeful god

would show his anger with a sign in the

sky the lunar eclipse of course came to

pass

and columbus and his men were able to

survive until help reached them from

hispaniola

it would not be the last time the

spanish would force the tainos to

provide them tribute

in later years when the spanish crown

terminated the claims of columbus's

heirs

to the entire caribbean as part of the

settlement it made jamaica a fiefdom

of luis colon de toledo columbus's

grandson

even now the title of marquis of jamaica

is held by columbus's descendants

meanwhile once the spanish decimated the

tainos as a result of their enslavement

and ill-treatment

in 1517 the spanish began introducing

kidnapped africans as laborers

but lacking gold or much else the colony

languished as a post

for provisioning ships between spain and

central america

the first settlement had been in the

northern part of the island in sevilla

nueva but by 1534 the spanish moved the

capital further south

into villa de la vega now called spanish

town

given the overall lack of interest in

the colony however it was poorly

defended

so in 1654 when oliver cromwell sent an

expedition to invade hispaniola as part

of his design

to disrupt the spanish trade monopoly in

the caribbean and this failed

the english forces turned south and

attacked jamaica

on may 10 1655 under the leadership of

sir william penn

they finally succeeded from that point

on jamaica would remain under british

control

well into the 20th century not that

british authority wasn't challenged

in the early years they had to deal with

a small band of spanish loyalists

who were eventually completely defeated

at the battle of rio nuevo in 1660.

the much longer problem would be the

cimarrones

or maroons in english enslaved people

who had managed to escape

in the wake of the invasion who took to

the hills and defended their freedom

fiercely

in those early decades of english rule

the colony began to prosper though

because spanish town had been so

severely damaged in invasion

the capital was unofficially moved to

port royal

where a trading economy boomed as a

plantation economy developed around

cocoa

coffee and sugarcane settlement

increased

by 1662 there were four thousand

colonists on the island

including exiled felons as well as

impoverished scots and welshman

who arrived as indentured laborers

because the british were constantly at

war with the french spanish or dutch

throughout the 17th century

they began sponsoring privateers to

capture enemy vessels

raid their settlements and contribute

their plunder to the british crown's

coffers

these buccaneers evolved as a motley

band of seafaring misgrants ex-slaves

air attacks political refugees

and escaped criminals they grew into a

powerful and ruthless force

feared throughout the antilles even by

their english sponsors

initially the new governor of jamaica

sir thomas martiford

joined with the spanish in attempts to

suppress the buccaneers

but the outbreak of the second dutch war

against holland

and spain in march 1664 forced england

to rethink its policy

marty ford arranged for the buccaneers

to defend jamaica

they left the island of tortuga and port

royal became their base

their numbers swelled astronomically and

within a decade poor royale was

jamaica's largest city

and one of the largest british cities in

the new world

second only to boston a place famous for

its gaudy displays of wealth

and lose morals with england at peace

with spain

buccaneers were now regarded merely as

pirates

mother nature lent a hand in their

suppression when a massive earthquake

struck poor royale

on june 7 1692 toppling much of the city

into the sea

more than 2 000 people one-third of the

poor royal population

perished and many survivors fled and

founded kingston

believing the earthquake to be

punishment from god

all the while jamaica's english elite

had grown immensely wealthy from sugar

and from the trade in kidnapped africans

of the estimated 11 million enslaved

people who survived the transatlantic

crossing

around 1.5 million ended up in jamaica

the large part of whom originated in

west africa

the trip was brutal it lasted anywhere

from 6 to 12 weeks

in cramped and festering holds where

many died of disease

those who survived the voyage were made

more presentable in oil to make them

appear healthy

before being auctioned bidders paid

between

25 and 75 pounds for kidnapped africans

perhaps 300 or more for those trained as

carpenters or blacksmiths

and no more than a shilling for the most

wretched

from kingston the kidnapped africans

were re-exported to other caribbean

islands

the slave ships then returned to england

carrying cargoes of sugar

molasses and rum it was cruel and

immensely profitable

but it also meant that there was the

constant risk that enslaved people might

rebel

the first major slave uprising occurred

in 1690

in clarendon parish where many enslaved

people escaped and joined the maroons

who had fought off the british for

decades these groups were concentrated

in the remote blue mountains

and in cockpit country of southern

trelawny from where they raided

plantations and attracted others who

sought freedom

the eastern community became known as

the windward maroons

those further west were called leeward

maroons

in 1729 the british attempted to

eradicate the maroons once and for all

they launched an offensive that came to

be known as the first maroon war

the thickly forested mountains however

were ill-suited to english-style open

warfare

and the maroons had perfected a

bush-style guerrilla fighting

nonetheless after a decade of costly

campaigning the british gained the upper

hand

enough to negotiate a truce on march 1

1739

colonel guthrie and cujo the leader of

the maroons of cockpit country

agreed to a deal where the maroons would

get autonomy and 1500 acres of land

in exchange for helping the british put

down rebellions

and return any enslaved person who might

seek freedom among the maroons

the maroons of the blue mountains under

a leader named cuo

signed a similar treaty one year later

these deals were absolutely crucial for

the british because by the late 18th

century

jamaica had become the largest sugar

producer in the world

the profits of which depended heavily on

enslaved labor

the planters built sturdy great houses

in georgian fashion

high above their cane fields many

planters were absentee landlords who

lived most of the year in england

where they formed a powerful political

lobby in jamaica the planters lived a

life of indolence

with red news of black servants many

over-indulged and drank

and had sexual relations with slaves

some of the mulatto offspring were freed

known as quote unquote free colors they

were accorded special rights and often

sent to study in europe by 1700 there

were perhaps 7

000 englishmen and 40 000 enslaved

people in jamaica

a century later the number of whites had

tripled and they ruled over 300

000 enslaved tens of thousands were

worked to death

many building factories houses and roads

most working on plantations

others were domestic servants some

planters showed kindness and nurtured

their slaves

but most resorted to violence to

terrorize the enslaved population into

obedience

the extreme treatment was eventually

regulated but plantation society

remained tied to the rule of the whip

not surprisingly and even despite the

treaties the british established with

the maroons

there were constant rebellions there was

taki's war in 1760

a rebellion led by a ghanaian man in the

northeastern part of the island

and a second maroon war in 1795 but the

largest of all was the baptist war

an insurrection that lasted 11 days and

began on december 27

1831 led by samuel sharpe it involved

somewhere between

60 and 300 000 enslaved people

at first it was a peaceful general

strike demanding better working

conditions

but once reprices by the plantation

owners occurred the enslave began

burning crops

this in turn led british authorities to

put down the rebellion swiftly and

brutally

hundreds of rebels were killed but even

after the rest surrendered

the plantation owners made sure to make

an example out of them

the cruelty was such however that this

paved the way for the british parliament

to pass the slavery abolition act of

1833

it would still take a while for all

restrictions to be lifted

but finally unconditional emancipation

of chateau slavery

would take place in 1838 abolition

improved a lot of those who had been

enslaved only marginally

for one although now paid wages remain

quite low

for another the british afraid of what

might happen if the former slaves gained

power

introduced hypo taxes to restrict their

voting by 1864

in a population of 436 000

where blacks outnumbered whites 32 to 1

only around 2000 blacks were eligible to

vote

had several floods and a two-year

widespread drought prior to 1865 to the

widespread poverty

and the economic and political

conditions were turning the island into

a powder keg

it finally exploded on october 6th 1865.

once again a process that began

peacefully and was led by a baptist

preacher

this time paul bogle soon turned into a

wider rebellion

bogo had intended to march along with

the crowd to the courthouse in moran bay

to have their grievances heard but after

a government's volunteer militia killed

a few of the protesters

the enraged crowd burned down the

courthouse in several nearby buildings

for the next two days the rebellion grew

and a total of 25 people died

in response governor edward john erie

declared martial law and proceeded to

execute the rebels

and leaders like bogo along with many

innocent people including

women and children one of those who had

nothing to do with the rebellion but was

killed anyway

was wealthy businessman george william

gordon

one of the local representatives some

members of the british government were

so outraged by the governor's actions

that yuri was subsequently stripped of

his post and jamaica was made a crown

colony

that is one directly ruled by the

british parliament

in the following decades jamaica would

see dramatic change one was the transfer

of the capital from spanish town to

kingston in 1872

another was a shift from sugar to banana

production

the banana trade began in earnest in

1866

when an american george bush began

taking bananas to boston for profit

within a decade the trade was booming it

peaked in 1921

when 21 million stems were exported the

banana business also expanded the

tourism business

as banana traders looked to defray the

cost of transport

so they began to promote the purchase of

the island and began to take on

passengers

this however would not become a major

source of gdp for jamaica

until the 1950s in the meantime

jamaica's black and disenfranchised

population

continued to demand changes and began

creating a new social and political

identity

two of the most influential movements

from the early 20th century

were black nationalism and

rastafarianism

the first was best exemplified by marcus

garvey

who believed that black people needed to

secure financial independence from white

people

and founded jamaica's first modern

political party in 1929

the second was an afro-centric abrahamic

variant religion that believed that

haley selassie

the emperor of ethiopia fulfilled a

biblical prophecy

and which promoted the idea of africa as

zion

or the promised land at first mainly

concentrated among the most impoverished

people in jamaica

rastafarianism gained respectability and

visibility in the 1960s and 1970s

because of the popularity of bob marley

and other reggae musicians

it was two particular men however who

would end up having more concrete

political impact on the island

their names were norman manley and

alexander bastamante

a pair of cousins who began their

political ascent in the 1930s

in the wake of the great depression and

who would fight

separately for economic and political

reforms

the watershed moment was the 1938 labor

riots

these were strikes and unrest that

occurred as a result of a lack of steady

jobs

that were also poorly paid in which at

its peak

had the participation of roughly 20 000

people

who paralyzed kingston for several days

bastamante was one of the original

leaders

and was quickly jailed for his trouble

for 17 months

once freed he founded an influential

trade union

known as the bitu or basta union

meanwhile

manly supported the movement and worked

to have universal suffrage and autonomy

granted to the island

the former was finally granted in 1944

and in 1947 virtual autonomy was granted

though jamaica remained a british colony

under the jurisdiction of parliament and

the crown

a prelude to full independence

this process known as constitutional

decolonization

finally culminated in august 6 1962

when jamaica became fully independent

the new flag was about to be hoisted

over the stadium the higher rank in

accord with the new status of jamaica

as full member of the commonwealth

period bastamante and manly founded the

two political parties that have gone

on to dominate jamaican politics since

then these are

the jamaican labour party or jlp founded

by bastamante

and the people's national party founded

by manly

every single prime minister in jamaican

history has been a member of one or the

other

three for the pnp six for the jlp

the jamaican labor party although with

vast historical ties to labor

is the most conservative of the two and

is currently ruling jamaica under the

leadership of its premier

andrew wholeness but that was still in

the future political competition right

before

and right after jamaica's independence

was a direct contest between bustamante

and manly

with manly becoming the first premier in

1959

and bustamante the first prime minister

after independence in 1962 but

bastamante had a stroke in 1965 and

retired from active public life

and norman manley died in 1969 and thus

from that time on

the debate has been shaped by their

legacies but no longer directly between

the two men

manly's son michael led the pnp towards

democratic socialism in the mid 70s

his policy of taxation to fund social

services deterred foreign investment and

caused capital flight

at a time when jamaica could afford it

bitterly opposed factions engaged in

open urban warfare before the 1976

election

a controversial state of emergency was

declared and the nation seemed poised on

the edge of a civil war

but the pnp won the election by a wide

margin

and manly continued with his socialist

agenda unsurprisingly the u.s government

was hostile to jamaica's socialist

turn and when manly began to develop

close ties with cuba

the cia purportedly planned to topple

the jamaican government

businesses pulled out the economy went

into sharp decline

and the country was under virtual siege

almost 800 people were killed in the

lead up to the 1980 elections

which were won by the jlp's edward sega

sega restored jamaica's economic fortune

somewhat

severe ties with cuba and became a

staunch ally of the reagan

administration

relatively peaceful elections in 1989

returned a reinvented manly to power

he retired in 1992 handing the reins to

his deputy

percival james patterson jamaica's first

black prime minister

the patterson-led pnp triumphed in the

1993 and 1997 elections

in spring of 1999 the country erupted in

nationwide riots after the government

announced

a 30 increase in attacks on gasoline

kingston and montego bay or sugar canes

were set ablaze

were particularly badly hit after three

days of arson and looting the government

resigned the attacks

in the lead-up to the 2002 elections

violence in west kingston soared to new

heights

as criminal policies battled to control

electoral turf

and profit from the largest that victor

at the polls in jamaica brings

rival political gangs turned the area

into a war zone

forcing residents to flee and school

businesses and even kingston public

hospital to close

in 2004 hurricane ivan bounced off

jamaica and route to the cayman islands

causing widespread damage and edward

sega still representing the jlp as

opposition leader

retired after over three decades of life

in politics

two years later prime minister patterson

resigned

giving way to portia simpson-miller

jamaica's first female prime minister

and michael manley's protege mama p

was initially popular with the masses

but 18 years of pnp rule brett voted his

illusion

with the party in the 2007 elections

bruce golding of the jlp carried the day

inheriting high rates of crime and

illiteracy as well as threats to the

environment through deforestation and

over development

problems with criminal organizations

have continued one of the most infamous

events was when jamaica tried to

extradite christopher dudas coke

the most powerful gangster and drug

trafficker in jamaica in 2010.

between may 24th and 27 of that year

heavy fighting broke out between dudes

gunmen and the joint police military

force

leaving 67 dead dudas himself remained

on the road for a month before being

apprehended

disguised as a woman on a roadblock he

was eventually convicted in the district

of new york and sentenced to 23 years in

prison

since then the homicide rate has gone

down but still remains

one of the highest in the world

meanwhile jamaica's economy had been

growing in the 1990s and 2000s

it slowed down in the 2010s and has

remained nearly flat

in the last few years before covet the

pandemic hit the island particularly

hard

especially the slowdown in tourism in a

country whose poverty

rate was already high thus as jamaica

approaches its 60th year of independence

it faces massive challenges with regard

to crime

and lifting its people out of poverty

whether the island will be able to do

much about it remains to be seen