Demands for Self-Government and Federation

Abstract

For almost a century the Colonial Office considered various proposals and schemes for a federated British West Indies. From the mid-nineteenth century, British policy makers were convinced that political integration was advantageous for administrative purposes. Furthermore, federation held the key to economic development in the region with benefits to the poorer, smaller islands. However, as the Colonial Office conjured wistful images of a federated West Indies, nationalist leaders inclusive of labour remained convinced that self-government was of paramount importance in any programme for regional development. As early as 1839, Herman Merivale in his Oxford University speeches (later referred to as “Lectures on Colonization and Colonies”) developed the concept of a West Indian federation.