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The political climate of the socially prospering colony was primarily a contest between the PNP and JLP, with the houses of legislature switching hands between the two throughout the 1950s.Īfter leader of the PNP Norman Manley was elected Chief Minister in 1955, he sped up the process of decolonization via several constitutional amendments. The first elections under universal adult suffrage were held in 1944. Its main rival, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) was established five years later. The People's National Party (PNP) was founded in 1938. Jamaica gained a degree of local political control in the mid-1940s. At this time, the British Government and Jamaican politicians began a long transition of converting the Caribbean island from a crown colony into an independent state. With amendments, this constitution was retained until 1944.Īs World War II came to a close, a sweeping movement of decolonization overtook the world. After the imposition of direct Crown colony rule in 1866, settlers lost their power and the Governor was advised only by the mainly nominated privy council. The governor’s council included senior figures such as the bishop and Chief Justice, but the representative assembly was controlled by white settlers. Jamaica’s first colonial constitution gave considerable power to settlers.
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This module provides an overview of the key events on Jamaica's road to independence. Jamaica gained independence from Britian on 6 August 1952. Caribbean Elections - Independence in Jamaica