Prompt Cast
Challenges and Legacy of the West Indies Federation
TLDR The West Indies Federation, created after World War II, faced challenges in determining a capital, independent economies, trade policies, and legislative protections for ethnic minorities. Despite its dissolution, the economic fortunes of member states have improved and cooperation between the islands has increased through organizations like CARICOM, while individual countries have created institutions similar to the Federation's goals.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
The tiny independent countries in the Caribbean, specifically the islands in the lesser Antilles, are separate rather than one larger country due to their common history and location.
01:57
After World War II, the British Empire created the West Indian Federation as a transition towards independence for the English-speaking islands in the Caribbean.
03:32
The West Indies islands are similar in language and culture, but there are subtle yet important differences between them, and the idea of uniting them into a single country faced challenges such as distance between islands and inter-island politics.
05:00
The West Indies Federation faced challenges in determining a capital, had issues with independent economies and trade policies, and lacked legislative protections for ethnic minorities.
06:30
Jamaica's departure from the West Indies Federation in 1962, followed by Trinidad and Tobago, led to the dissolution of the Federation.
08:01
The economic fortunes of the member states of the West Indies Federation have improved due to the rise of tourism in the region, and cooperation between the islands has improved with the creation of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States and CARICOM, while the West Indies Cricket Team still represents all of the West Indies in international competitions.
09:30
Most former member states of the West Indies Federation have created economic and judicial institutions similar to what the Federation was trying to achieve, but as separate sovereign countries.
