Towards Decolonisation: Political, Labour and Economic Developments in Jamaica 1938-1945 - UWI Press political history series

"Towards Decolonisation" starts with a description of conditions in Jamaica in the 1930s and of the social upheaval that occurred in 1938. It describes and accounts for the emergence of the leaders who came forward at this time of need, and the organizations they formed and led.

Repercussions to the outbreak of war in 1939 are considered. The relationships, rivalry and conflicts between popular organizations in the 1940s are discussed. Labour struggles, trade union activities and the policies of the rival political parties are recorded and examined. Renewed demands for constitutional reform in 1941 and the rejection of the British Government's inadequate response to these demands are discussed.

Constitutional concessions made in 1943 and representations made thereon by local organizations, leading to the introduction of a new constitution based on universal adult suffrage in 1944, are examined. The conclusion is drawn that this represented not a firm commitment to decolonization but the beginnings of a movement towards it.