Caribbean
History
SBA
Names of Candidates:
School: St. Mary High
Year: 2021
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Table of Contents
Title
Page
Rationale.......................................................................................................................... 1
Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 2
Body of Research .............................................................................................................. 3
Conclusion........................................................................................................................ 4
Endnotes .......................................................................................................................... 5
Bibliography ..................................................................................................................... 6
Appendices………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………7
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Rationale
Research Question: In what ways did the United States establish control over the British
Caribbean in the twentieth century? How did the British Caribbean benefit from this
association?
This School Based Assessment is centred on the research topic to explore the ways in
which the United States established control over the British Caribbean in the twentieth
century, and how the British Caribbean benefitted from this association. Since the Caribbean
is geographically close to the United States, the islands have always been a consideration in
its policies and have become valuable to the United States since the eighteenth century. The
main reason the researchers chose this topic is because we are a part of the British Caribbean
and have experienced the dominance of the United States in our country, Jamaica and the
region. The Caribbean was often the scene of many conflicts during and following World
War I and the United States’ unwavering supremacy in the Caribbean and the world has
proven to be quite intriguing and fascinating. Conducting this important but thorough
research will be very relevant at this time as it will build on the information that already
exists on this topic, while reinforcing what we already know, and will also shed light on the
role of the United States in world politics. The information needed to complete this research
will be acquired by using secondary and primary sources from reliable internet articles and
Caribbean History textbooks. Students and teachers of Caribbean or World history will find
this research useful as it will explain how the United States came to control the British.
Caribbean in the twentieth century and has managed to remain a very dominant and powerful
force to this day.
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Introduction
According to the “Lest You Forget – The United States in the Caribbean” textbook
by Doris Hamilton Willie, when World War II began in 1939, the United States was a neutral
power. The German navy was operating against British and allied shipping in the Caribbean,
and so the United States moved to strengthen the military defences of the hemisphere. On
September 3, 1940, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the British government signed
an agreement whereby the United States government signed an obtained 99years leases to air
and military bases in countries such as Antigua, the Bahamas, British Guiana, Jamaica, St.
Lucia and Trinidad, in return for 50 refurbished destroyers.
The United States’ intervention in the Caribbean was influenced by political, strategic
and economic factors during the early years of the twentieth century. Politically, the US was
intent on retaining her dominance over an area that she considered vital to her security.
Politically, the United States was intent on retaining her hegemony over an area that she
considered vital to her security and so she made sure to put measures in place, for example
the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, which would justify her intervention, if and
when it became necessary. She intervened in order to: (i) restore political stability, sound
administration of finance, and (ii) institute social and economic reforms, the lack of which
could justify the intervention of Europeans, particularly the Germans and the French who had
investments in the region.
Another of the overpowering considerations that encouraged the United States’
intervention during the period, was the construction and subsequent operation of the Panama
Canal. This was within the major shipping lanes linking the United States with its major
trading partners and allies. The canal was important to link the Pacific and Atlantic fleets.
Internal political stability, and economic progress in the British Caribbean states were
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therefore, of paramount importance to the US to prevent foreign interference likely to
threaten American control over the canal and, by implication, United States security.
Body of the Research
The United States’ (US) relationship with its Caribbean neighbours up to 1962 had been
shaped by factors relating to defence, expansionism, trade and ideology. As early as 1823, the
US started crafting doctrines that would protect its interests. The Monroe Doctrine of 1823
primarily shaped American involvement in the British Caribbean in the 19th Century. This
policy statement was issued by President James Monroe, who sent out a stern warning to
European countries that the Americas was closed to further ownership and colonisation by
European countries. President Monroe went as far as to state that America would regard any
attempt to recolonize any territory that had gained its independence as a direct threat to the
United States. This was primarily directed at Spain and in the context of recolonization
attempts of Caribbean territories that had gained their independence. This ideological position
was expanded throughout the 19th century as the principle of Manifest Destiny became
entrenched in the American psyche. The belief that the United States was “destined by God”
to dominate the Western hemisphere ‘from the Atlantic to the Pacific’ fuelled American
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dreams and actions. It led to the Spanish-American War of 1898 between the United States
and Spain. The Americans seized this opportunity to further undermine Spain’s influence in
the region. Its participation in the war brought swift defeat to Spain and heralded the
emergence of the United States as a world power. The end of the war also signalled greater
American involvement in political interests in the region as well as increased economic
investments. The region was important in helping the US to fulfil its manifest destiny for the
following reasons: (i) its close proximity influenced defence issues. The security of the
United States depended on its control of neighbouring territories to ensure the safety of its
borders, its citizens and its property, (ii) the Caribbean represented a large potential market
for American manufactured goods. This would further encourage the growth of industry, thus
the creation of wealth, (iii) the Caribbean possessed a variety of raw materials that America
wished to exploit in its own economic interest. Agricultural enterprises such as sugar and
banana attracted American investors at first, but bauxite, oil and tourism as well as railroads
became increasingly important outlets for American investment up to 1962, and (iv) with
large populations of mainly unskilled, unemployed labour, United States capitalists saw the
Caribbean as a potential source of cheap labour. Many Caribbean nationals were used in the
construction of the Panama Canal at the turn of the century and, gradually, there was a steady
stream of emigrants headed for the United States, especially after the Second World War.
US policy during the first decades of the 20th century was nationalistic, expansionist and
aggressive, and was based on a feeling of racial and cultural superiority of the American
people.” This ideology is often described as the Big-Stick Policy and is often illustrated by
actions such as the ‘taking’ of the Panama Canal from Colombia and the issuing of the
Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine (1904).
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Economic Factors that Benefitted the British Caribbean
North Americans had developed trading and business interest in the region before 1776 and
his interest continued even through the Navigational Acts which tended to restrict US trade
interests; however once these laws were removed this stimulated US interest in the
Caribbean. This was called “Dollar Diplomacy”. This involves giving aid and soft loans to
Caribbean countries in order to foster good relations and get their leaders to give in to US
policies. It was basically a way for the US to control events in Caribbean. The manufacture of
the Dollar Diplomacy was intervention in the political and economic life of their neighbours.
Haiti, Panama, Dominican Republic and Cuba were all affected.
There were significant economic investments in these countries by Americans so that
governments claimed to be stabilizing the countries to ensure economic progress when in fact
it was really securing American interest. Between 1900 and 1930 the US intervened in at
least five (5) Caribbean. The US government said that the reason for the interference was to
make the governments in these countries more stable but their real intentions seemed to be to
take control of their economies.
Britain had to protect her local agricultural industries and wanted no competition from her
colonies. Instead, the North American colonies were allowed to trade with the British
Caribbean colonies and so extremely strong trade and commercial ties developed between
these colonies. There was a hefty need for plantation supplies and food for the enslaved
population so with the permission of Britain, the North American colonies traded vital goods
with the British Caribbean consequently this made the North American colonies dominate
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trading with the British Caribbean in 1700s. Between 1682 and 1774, exports to the NA
colonies increased 7½ times from £55,000 to £420,000; imports increased 11 times from
£65,000 to £725,000. By 1774, 533 NA ships were engaged in the trade with the BC and
employed over 3,339 sailors; US trading was thriving.
However The US feared that if the British islands fell into the hands of the enemy, they could
be used as bases from where attacks could be made on North America. By establishing bases
in these territories, she prevented them from being taken by the enemy. These islands were
extremely important to the United States’ war efforts, and so there was the desire to protect
these from the enemy. The US was also interested in protecting her investments in the
Caribbean against possible German aggression.
The establishment of the bases brought significant benefits to the islands as thousands
of local workers found employment in construction, and so were able to enjoy a higher
standard of living. In some cases, West Indians migrated from colonies where there were no
bases to others where bases existed, in order to find work. This brought Caribbean people
into close contact with one another, and so they were able to share ideas with, and learn from
one another. The Caribbean received $15 million in defence equipment from the United
States under the Lend Lease Act of March 1941 that empowered the president to provide
material for any nation whose defence was considered important to the safety of the United
States. The United States defence measures were effective in warding off German invasion of
the region. The US improved the infrastructure of the territories where bases were built. Now
Caribbean people were exposed to new skills and advanced technology, as well as to new
ideas about health and sanitation. Because of the war, Caribbean territories suffered from the
loss of their external markets, chiefly in Europe.
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Closer economic links were forged between the islands and the US that provided a
market of their goods. Food supplies for the Caribbean were drastically reduced because of
the war. In 1942, the Anglo-American Caribbean Commission was set up, with its
headquarters in Washington D.C, partly in an effort to deal with the problem of food
shortage. It also organized the West Indian Schooner Pool to coordinate inter-colonial trade
in the Lesser Antilles, and including British Guiana. To combat unemployment, the
Commission assisted in channelling West Indian labourers to work on the American air and
naval bases being constructed in the region, and when this work was completed, thousands of
West Indians were recruited to work on United States farms, from where many of them were
shifted wartime industries. The development of trade unions was encouraged during war, as
colonial governors were instructed in circular from the Colonial Office, to pass laws for the
recognition of trade unions, and protection of workers. Governors were told that harmonious
relationship with workers was absolutely essential during war and the critical period likely to
follow.
The United States’ involvement in the Caribbean was not restricted to the operation of naval
bases. After 1939, North Americans carried out military and naval exercises in the region.
Private American capital was invested in the bauxite industry of Jamaica and British Guiana,
and the petroleum industry of Trinidad. In the year 1953, the Americans interfered in British
Guianese politics when they influenced the British government to suspend the British Guiana
constitution in order to oust the Marxist oriented People’s Progressive Party (PPP) from
power, to prevent any possible establishment of communism there. It was also believed that
the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), together with British Intelligence, were responsible
for fomenting and financing strikes and riots against British Guiana’s Cheddi Jagan’s
government in 1963. The United States provided bilateral loans and grants to British
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Caribbean territories, for example to British Guiana and Jamaica through the Agency for
International development. American financial aid provided infrastructure such as roads,
airports and harbours, as well as schools and housing.
The economy benefitted from the inflow of us dollars hence better wages. The military
airports built in Antigua and ST Lucia were later handed over to the government of these
islands. These have proven to be useful infrastructure, greatly enhancing the islands links
with international centres. In addition Caribbean people were exposed to new skills and
advanced technology.
Political factors that Benefitted the British Caribbean
As the foremost champion of democracy United States has promoted the spread of
democracy in the Caribbean. Further the development of trade unions were encouraged
during the war as colonial governors were instructed in a circular from the Colonial Office, to
pass laws for the recognition of trade unions, and the protection of workers. Also there was
the potential threat of communism, which after 1947 the United States was determined on
global containment of communism and in the British Caribbean this led to effective actions.
The United States was now determined to keep its ‘area’ free from the influence of
communism. To this end, it tightened control over the Caribbean Basin. Countries in the
region were expected to sign agreements where they were provided with money and military
assistance in order to prevent them succumbing to the temptation to enter into any negotiation
with communist interests.
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In 1982 president Ronald Reagan US President Ronald Reagan announces a six point plan
involving an integrated programme of American aid trade and investment in the region.
Termed the Caribbean Basin Initiative, its key provisions were incorporated into a law that
was passed by the United States congress in August 1983 and put into operation in September
1983. United States Congress in The ultimate objective of this plan was to preserve western
traditions of democracy and free enterprise capitalism in the Caribbean, against Communist
totalitarianism.
Ideological/Humanitarian Factors that Benefitted the British
Caribbean
Americans had missionary and humanitarian desires to spread some of the benefit of their
civilization (which they thought was superior to the people in the Caribbean who they
thought were less civilized) they wanted to build schools and hospitals to eradicate diseases,
to improve communication and government.
The US saw itself as champion of democracy especially since World War I and was
interested in establishing solid foundation in the Western Hemisphere including the British
Caribbean.
The US believed that it had to spread its influence in order to remain a world power and also
to extend American ideas and intuitions to other parts of the world.
Trade Factors that Benefitted the British Caribbean
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The British North American colonies, producing very much the same supplies as Europe,
found the markets of Britain practically closed to most of their products in the 17th century,
and so they needed other markets. These they found initially in the British West Indies and
later in the other colonies of the West Indies. Around the middle of the 17th century, with the
expansion of the Sugar industry in the British West Indian islands, the Britain North
American colonies started to develop a viable trading relationship with these colonies. To
obtain essential supplies for the sugar estates, the planters looked overseas. Under the
Navigation Laws, the colonies were bound to trade only with the mother country, supplying
her with raw materials, and purchasing manufactured goods from her. Inter-colonist trade was
forbidden, nevertheless they traded with the mother country, as dictated by the Navigation
Laws, by the beginning of the 18th century, and North Americans dominated British West
India trade.
The West Indian planters purchased flour, salt, fish, beef, oil, pork, corn, rice, lumber, rum
casks and horses from North America. In return, the West Indians supplied North Americans
with products less available in their temperate climate. These included coffee, ginger,
pimento, mahogany, log-wood, hides and indigo. The Americans demanded payment in cash,
which drained the British West Indies of their scarce currency, so when cash was unavailable
barter was used. In 1783, Britain recognised the Independence of the 13 North American
colonies, which because the United states of America. This was how a foreign nation in
respect of Britain and her colonies, and so outside of the Navigation laws.
Socio-cultural Factors
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Through the interaction of trade, travel and other forms of contact, the United States had been
able to exercise a strong influence on the culture of the British Caribbean throughout the
twentieth century. As the century wore on, contact between British Caribbean people and
North Americans increased.
Travel
People with the extra money to spend travelled for leisure, some sought greater opportunities
for educational advancement, while others sought jobs in the United States. This kind of
movement provided direct exposure to the US culture. Many people began to acquire a taste
for the popular foods served on the American table, others liked the current fashions in
clothes and hairstyle, some were impressed by architectural structures which they saw, some
developed a liking for American music, and many could not prove that they had been to the
United States unless they adopted the American slang. Radio, books and films also made
their contribution to passing on the North American culture to the British Caribbean.
Radio
Radio has been a prime medium of American cultural infiltration, feeding Caribbean people
with American music such as country and western, jazz, rock and roll, jive, gospel music and
in the early 1950s, bebop. After World War II, musical instruments like the electrical guitar,
saxophone, gramophone and jukeboxes were also introduced from North American. Through
radio, British Caribbean islands have also been bombarded with religious programmes from
North America. These have helped to erode some of the traditional religious practices of the
region. Radio helped to popularize the recording industry, which helped to spread the North
American music and dance. During the 1960s, the United States International
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Communication Agency (USICA), through direct broadcasting to the Caribbean people,
particularly with regard to ideas about communism and democracy. Radio serials, comedy,
drama have all helped to spread US culture among Caribbean people.
Recreational Activities
American forms of entertainment seeped into the Caribbean landscape, for example the
games of domino, monopoly, chess checkers, draughts and the use of dice and dolls.
Similarly, the ever-popular game of basketball, as well as rounders, softball, and boxing were
adopted from the United States. The drinking of beer, sodas, the fast food provisions of
chicken and chips, hot dogs and hamburgers were all North American importations. The
smoking of cigars, popularized by films and magazines, the reading of novels, and the
listening of radio serials were parts of the entertainment package copied from the US. Many
of the American dances portrayed on the movie screen were also copied.
Magazines
Magazines and other kinds of publications have also played in exposing British Caribbean
people to the United States culture. Since 1960s, for example, thousands of used American
textbooks and novels were sent as gifts to Jamaica for use in schools and libraries. Danny
Orlis, Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew became the favourites of many Caribbean children who
learnt about American ways of life through experiences of their heroes and heroines in these
novels. Textbooks provided information on political and religious issues, among other things,
and influenced the attitude of people during the Cold War period on issues like Communism.
News and opinions in magazines had a similar effect. Magazines were particularly
widespread among the upper classes who used the information provided to make mail order
purchases of American goods. These magazines popularized the latest fashions in clothes and
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hairstyles, and so were very useful to seamstresses and hairdressers. They also popularized
drinks, foods, cigars, architecture, and different forms of entertainment.
Fashions
During the earlier half of the century, the custom among Caribbean men to wear hats,
particularly Panama hats, was part of an American fashion adopted in the Caribbean.
Similarly, women wore pedal pushers or other kinds of pants, including denim jeans, which
became fashionable for both men and women. Women and girls wore crinolines, and
everybody wore bobby socks. Sneakers, and trendy underwear for both males and females
were also fashionable, while bikini swim wear, nail polish, the practise of women cutting
their hair, the use of perfumes and cosmetics of all kinds, were all adopted from North
America.
By the second half of the twentieth century, adaptation of American cultural imports
dominated the British Caribbean culture.
Conclusion
From this research paper, it can be concluded that the United States’ involvement in the
British Caribbean had a direct effect upon the region. The effects were particularly evident:
Economically with the establishment of the naval bases which provided employment for
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thousands of West Indians, Trade, as by the 1970s, all of the British territories imported
between 77% and 92% of their grain products from the US who was now the most important
trading partner of British Caribbean territories; politically the US uphold the spread of
democracy in the Caribbean as well as safeguarding the Caribbean from the influence of
communism which became a problem. Furthermore it is apparent that the Caribbean
benefited from the US socio- Cultural activities 10 fold which can also be seeing in todays
world, particularly the music, fashion, Magazines, Recreational activities. The us had a
strong ideological mind set which they believed that the spreading of there own influence
would in return develop American ideas and would have given them world power.
Endnotes
HYMAN DEBBION, Jamaica Gleaner, 7 North Street Kingston CSO, Jamaica, Apr 18
2017, Page 11
WILLE DORIS HAMILTON. Lest you forget The United States in the Caribbean.
Jamaica publishing House Limited. 2001, pages- 4 – 5,
35 – 37, 50
Bibliography
Hamilton –Willie, Dorris, V. Lest You Forget – The United States in the Caribbean
Jamaica: Doris V. Hamilton-Willie, 2001
“United States in the Caribbean” retrieved from:
https://www.pressreader.com/jamaica/jamaicagleaner/20170418/282703341968331#:~:text=The%20security%20of%20the%20United,thus
%20the%20creation%20of%20wealth.
Appendices
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Fig 1: Picture showing William Howard Taft’s ‘Dollar Diplomacy’
Fig 2: Picture Showing the United States intervention in the Caribbean Basin
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