The Crown Colony System of Government

Objectives

Students should be able to:

1. State the systems of government in the Caribbean from the 1600s to present
2. Outline the factors which gave rise to the Morant Bay Rebellion
3. State the reforms instituted by Sir Peter Grant under the Crown Colony government
4. Describe the structure of the Old representative system and Crown Colony systems
of government
5. Explain why people were dissatisfied with the Old Representative system of
government
6. Asses the advantages of the Crown Colony system of government
 Systems of Government in
the Caribbean

government in the british caribbean part 1 - YouTube

government in the british caribbean part 2 - YouTube

Watch the videos and note the systems of

government in the Caribbean
Systems of
Government in
Jamaica
 Old
Representative
1660s

Systems of Crown Colony

1866-1913
Government
Representative
1944

Responsible
1957

Internal Self-
Government
1959

Independence
1962
The Old Representative
System of Government

The Assembly

The Lower House – elected

from the whites who satisfied
certain amount of property
Governor - Council qualifications. It drew up its
own rules of conduct,
Can veto legislation,
disciplined its members, judge
establish courts, appoint
their qualifications, enquiry
judges, pardon Upper House – nominated by the
into public grievances,
criminal offenders, grant governor and approved by the
summoned people before it,
licenses of marriage Crown. It was an advisory body
decided all disputed elections,
and impeach high public
dignitaries for gross
misdemeanors.
Problems Associated with the
Old Representative System of
Government

★ Limited franchise which reflected representation of primarily the planter and merchant classes.
★ Reluctance in introducing measures aimed at improving the lot of the masses. They were interested in self-
preservation at the expense of the masses. This led to popular dissatisfaction and criticism of the representative
system which was deemed obsolete and undesirable.
★ It hindered development of the colony. The sugar industry was favoured while other sectors rejected.
★ Ruling classes’ policy of non- cooperation and resistance to British government on socio-economic issues, including
pressuring Governors. Colonial Office did not have the power to enforce its will on elected colonial legislatures.
★ Decline of white population due to homeward migration after 1838. Out migration of skilled and experienced white
workers resulted in a reduction in white voting power and the number of whites qualified to hold positions in
administration waa limited.Duplication of representatives resulted. This also raised fears of an empowered black
community and loss of white supremacy.
CROWN COLONY
GOVERNMENT
Advantages of the Crown
Colony Government

1. Direct participation of the Crown will ensure laws are easier to implement.

2. The concerns of the masses would be addressed

3. It would hold the balance between white oligarchic rule and the masses of freed people

4. It would lead to more efficient and effective government

5. It will provide greater scope for education and training of masses

6. It will ensure a more harmonious relationship between the executive and legislative
branches of government.

7. It would lead to developmental works in areas other than within the sugar industry
e.g. village development
Reasons People Were
Dissatisfied with the Crown
Colony System

1. Absence of representation for the mass of the people in the Legislative Council – absence of the descendants of
ex-slaves in the legislature.

2. Most people excluded from the electoral process

3. Non- existence of equal rights as a result of the introduction of this system of government

4. Strong resistance within the Council of Government to any political reform

5. No or little improvement in economic conditions for the masses. Nor improvement in social services , despite the
promise that the Crown Colony would protect and promote the interests of the disenfranchised

6. Discriminatory decisions and policies adopted by the legislative council against peasants, Indians and coloureds

7. Harsh treatment of the masses by government officials.