Decolonisation in the Caribbean
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain events leading to independence for Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago in 1962.
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.
Teacher tip
Pupils could watch a British Pathe film 'Jamaican Independence' (1962) and comment on how the British media presented Jamaica's decolonisation. Pupils could compare their answer to Task C with the narrative presented in the film.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of serious crime
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What was the primary reason Britain struggled to maintain control of its African colonies after World War II?
Q2.Who were the two prominent leaders at the 1945 Pan-African Congress that later became leaders of newly independent African nations?
Q3.The British Prime Minister's "Wind of Change" speech acknowledged the growing momentum for across Africa.
Q4.What triggered the Accra Riots in 1948 in the Gold Coast?
Q5.The violent Mau Mau Uprising in Kenya was primarily a reaction to the displacement of the people from their fertile land.
Q6.Why did the British government encourage white settlers to establish large-scale farms in Kenya?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What was the main crop grown on plantations in Britain's Caribbean colonies during the 17th century?
Q2.Which economic event in the 1930s caused widespread unemployment and poverty in Britain's Caribbean colonies?
Q3.In 1938, the British government sent a team led by Lord to investigate the social and economic challenges in the Caribbean colonies.
Q4.What significant political change was introduced in Jamaica in 1944?
Q5.The West Indian Federation was dissolved in after Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago decided to leave.
Q6.Who became the first Prime Minister of independent Jamaica in 1962?
To help you plan your 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 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.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
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.