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Politics and History of Antigua

 History

Colonization

Map of Antigua
In 1493, Christopher Columbus visited Antigua and named it after a church in Seville, Spain. Antigua was not yet colonized until 1632 by British settlers and remained in their control over the years although it was continuously attacked and stormed by the French and Caribs. After being colonized Antigua experienced many uprisings and natural disasters causing the economy to have to be reconstructed. After the abolishment of slavery in 1834 in order for Antigua to gain their independence sequence of decolonization had to occur. Antigua was originally apart of the Leeward island colony until it was defederated in 1956. In 1958 Antigua joined the West Indies Federation until it was later closed three years later. After switching federations for years Antigua began to find an alternative. “When the federation was dissolved in 1962, Antigua persevered with discussions of alternative forms of federation” (History of Antigua and Barbuda). After searching for alternatives requirements were changed in the West Indies Act of 1967 allowing Antigua to become associated with the United Kingdom.

Gaining Independence

Antigua independence day is November 1st
By the 1970s there was a big dispute about Antigua’s future and what is to come. “By the 1970s Antigua had developed an independence movement, particularly under its prime minister George Walter, who wanted complete independence for the islands and opposed the British plan of independence within a federation of islands” (History of Antigua and Barbuda). Further explaining the constant argument of Antigua’s future independence. In 1976, Walter lost the election to Vere Bird. Two years later Antigua decided to change its position and declared that they wanted their own independence. On November 1, 1981 Antigua and Barbuda attained independence and Vere Bird was their Prime Minister.

Post-Independence

Post-independence Antigua remained stable politically with a few bumps in the road. There was many scandals and allegations against their investors.“In 2009 the economy suffered after one of the country’s largest investors, U.S. financier Robert Allen Stanford, was arrested and charged with fraud; in 2012 a Texas court found him guilty of having run a Ponzi scheme from his offshore bank on Antigua” (History of Antigua and Barbuda). Further explaining how Antigua’s economy took a hit because of the scandal that occurred with one of their biggest investors.


Work cited

“Antigua.” The Virtual Caribbean Library, ggccaribbean.wpengine.com/listing/antigua-and-barbuda/.

“History of Antigua and Barbuda.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., www.britannica.com/place/Antigua-and-Barbuda/History.




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