Dr.

Eric Williams’ contribution to

Trinidad and Tobago’s society.

Name: Abigail Adams

School: Providence Girls’ Catholic School

Subject: Caribbean History

Centre Number: 160045

Territory: Trinidad

Title: Caribbean Society 1900-1985, How did Dr. Eric Williams contribute to Trinidad and Tobago’s society?
Table of Contents
Particulars Page Numbers

Rationale 1

Introduction 2

Chapter 1 3

Chapter 2 4

Chapter 3 5

Conclusion 6

Bibliography 7

Appendix 8
 Rationale
This topic was chosen ‘Caribbean Society, 1900-1985 because it is believed that this theme is important to

Caribbean History. Dr. Eric Williams helped the former British West Indies to accomplish its independence

and paved a way for future generations to come. In my research it is intended to highlight the

accomplishments and contribution Trinidad and Tobago’s society by Dr. Eric William.
 Introduction
Dr. Eric Eustace Williams, a scholar, a national leader and politician who fought for the independence of

not just Trinidad and Tobago but also the former British West Indies, holds a uniquely important place in

the history and historiography of the anglophone Caribbean. Born on September 25, 1911, Eric Williams

received his primary education at Tranquillity Intermediate School and later went on to Queen’s Royal

College and won an Island Scholarship where then he attended Oxford University.

In 1939, Williams migrated to the United States to teach at Howard University. In 1948, he left Howard to

head the Research Branch of the Caribbean Commission. He later (1955) resigned from the Commission in

protest its colonialist policies. Williams returned to T&T and became more involved in politics. In 1956, the

PNM won the national election and he became the chief minister of the country from 1956 to 1959, with

the achievement of internal self-government in 1959 to 1962, he served as Premier, and prime minister

from 1962 to 1981.

As prime minister, Williams led T&T into the Federation of the West Indies and to independence within the

Commonwealth in 1962. He approached the affairs that were fundamental to making the modern

Caribbean in remarkable intensity and with praiseworthy dedication. But his accomplishment on the larger

Caribbean stage was defined by the intolerance of many region’s leaders and shortcomings in his character

and political method that conflicted with his competence to complete his dream and to perform effectively

along others to conceive those possibilities. Williams was the greatest leader his people presented in the

twentieth century. His domination of the political arena, though at times hesitant and irregular, was no

historical mishap.
 Chapter 1
Williams and Politics

As a politician, Eric Williams kept faith with the philosophical positions that informed his scholarship. His

aggressive, commanding role in the commission, however, tended to isolate the national powers,

especially the United States. Under his leadership Trinidad and Tobago became a Republic in 1976. He

pressed for independence on all sides, and at the same time he fought for a federation of the West Indies.

When Jamaica risked a referendum on the issue and the people rejected federation, Williams, totally

disenchanted, declared “One from ten leaves nought,” and sought Independence for Trinidad and Tobago

alone. He achieved this on August 31, 1962.

 Chapter 2

Williams influence on the modern society of Trinidad and Tobago.

As Prime Minister, Williams practiced what was called “pragmatic socialism,” which stressed social

services, improved education, and economic development through the cautious attraction of foreign

investment capital.

This National Scholar and Caribbean Historian used his intellect to fight against racism and to educate

everyone who was willing to listen. Dr. Williams took the opportunity as Prime Minister to emphasize the

importance of Education, making it free and available to all citizens and coined the timeless phrase "the

future of the Nation is in the children's school bags". His autobiography "Inward Hunger" describes his

struggles through his academic pursuits, "I was severely handicapped in my research by my lack of

money.... I was turned down everywhere I tried ... and could not ignore the racial factor involved".

A bold and self-assured leader, Williams dominated the political life of Trinidad and Tobago during the

twenty-five years that he served as the head of its government. He successively held the positions of chief

minister, premier and prime minister. Williams overseen a nation with severe ethnic divisions, especially

among the population of African and Indian descents, but he could preserve a fragile racial balance. His

commitment to the creation of a non- racial nationalism in his country remains an enduring but still

contested legacy. He modernized the country’s infrastructure, making his mark with introducing significant

changes to its educational system, expanded the production and delivery of social services, promoted

policies to enhance economic growth and development. The Draft Plan for the Educational Development of

Trinidad and Tobago that Williams introduced in 1968 gave practical expression to his conviction that the

educational system needed to break with old verities and help shape a different future for the citizens of

his country. He made sure no child would fall by wayside and given the opportunity to go to school free of

charge and given school feeding. He paid special attention to industrial development although agriculture
 was not neglected. In agriculture, he emphasized diversification. Williams also promoted community

development and in 1963 he inaugurated his “meet the people” tour, designed as an exercise in direct

democracy. He used the revenue earned from the oil boom of the 1970s to finance a variety of social

programs to improve the people’s quality of life. The imperative to liberate his people from the

psychological chains of colonialism and to prepare them for life in a modern world, led Williams to devote

his energy to his people.

 Chapter 3
Style of Leadership

The British had leased the land to the Americans in 1942 for 99 years. Williams argued, that the residents

of the colony had never consulted when their soil was leased. He launched an aggressive campaign against

the American naval base in Chaguaramas. The struggle over the future of the Chaguaramas base continued

for six years. The standoff reached a peak on April 22, 1960, when the PNM staged a mass meeting in

Woodford Square. This followed by the famous march on Chaguaramas, in heavy rain where Trinidad’s

demands were recited to US officials. This “March in the Rain” is largely documented as the revolutionary

high point of Trinidad nationalism. He felt pleased that he had attained a “decisive victory” by settling the

Chaguaramas matter without bringing it into” the predicament of the cold wars in the outside world.”

Williams did not obtain all that he wanted at the Tobago conference in 1960, but the Americans agreed to

release important parts of the land occupied by the U.S. base to Trinidad and Tobago and to pay US$ 30

million for the privilege of occupying the island’s soil. The acrimonious dispute continued for several years

until 1966, when the Americans complied to his demands to vacate the base. It had become of declining

importance to the defence of American interests in the hemisphere. The struggle for Chaguaramas

provided unyielding Williams with his most dramatic and significant political triumph.

Williams sought a redress of this mistreatment, earning the opposition of many of his people, the British,

and the Americans.

Conclusion
In 1955, Dr. Eric Williams sought to use his undoubted intellectual gifts to popularise Caribbean History

and to build a political platform for himself. He says that his efforts were motivated by “national protest

and not a personal pique.” A more likely explanation was that there was an unplanned conclusion of

displeasure, desire for revenge and emerging nationalism. He was a genuine father who gave opportunities
 to all Trinbagonians to become successful, he contributed the most to the shaping of what Trinidad and

Tobago has become. Under the leadership of Dr. Williams, Trinidad and Tobago was transformed from a

struggling colony to an independent and prosperous nation. One of Williams’ important links to ordinary

people, is that the crowd “always saw Williams as a modern-day Christ.” He continuously lectured to the

people, educating and preparing them for what he saw as exciting times ahead. Many around the world

are fascinated by Williams' life's work. He was a driving force behind Trinidad's rise from British colonialism

to independence and one of the architects of a Caribbean federation attempt that collapsed in 1962 when

Jamaica backed out and Williams was forced to follow suit. There are many calypsoes that featured Dr.

Williams such as The Mighty Sparrow’s Paye (Pay As You Earn) and Federation and Cypher’s Last Election.

Named in his honour:

 Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex

 Annual Eric E. Williams Memorial Lecture
 Eric Williams Memorial Collection (EWMC), which is included in UNESCO’s Memory of the World
Register
 Eric Williams Centenary Stamps collection, 2011, in memory of his birth 100 years ago.
 He was awarded the Trinity Cross, posthumously, in 2002.

Bibliography
Book Source

The legacy of Eric Williams- Caribbean Scholar and Stateman edited by Colin A. Palmer

Eric Williams- The Myth and the Man Selwyn Ryan

Eric Williams & The Making of The Modern Caribbean Colin A. Palmer
Internet Source

http://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/features/commentary/commentary-three-heroes-of-
civic-leadership-and-caribbean-independence/

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Eric-Williams

http://www.newsday.co.tt/sunday_special_report/0,143275.html

http://www.trinidadandtobagonews.com/blog/?p=5733

Video Source

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_KQDwBnIrI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jamO0H22Tbc