Everything about The West Indies Associated States totally explained
The
West Indies Associated States was the collective name for a number of islands in the
Eastern Caribbean whose status changed from being
British colonies to states in
free association with the
United Kingdom in
1967. These states included
Antigua,
Dominica,
Grenada,
Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla,
Saint Lucia, and
Saint Vincent.
Associated Statehood between these six territories and the UK was brought about by the
Associated Statehood Act 1967. Under the Act each state had full control over its constitution (and thus internal self-government), while the UK retained responsibility for
external affairs and
defence. The
British monarch remained
head of state, but the
Governor now had only consititutional powers, and was often a local citizen. Many moved to change their flags from modified versions of the
Blue Ensign, to unique designs with three, St. Vincent, St.Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla and Grenada adopting blue, green and yellow flags.
During the period of free association, all of the states participated in the
West Indies Associated States Council of Ministers, the
East Caribbean Common Market and
Caribbean Free Trade Association or
CARIFTA (now superseded by
CARICOM). Cooperation between the eastern caribbean states continued after the West Indies Associated States achieved separate independence, in the form of the
Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (the successor organisation).
Over time, Associated States moved to full independence, the first being
Grenada in
1974. This was followed by Dominica in
1978,
Saint Lucia and
Saint Vincent both in
1979,
Antigua and Barbuda in
1981 and
Saint Kitts and Nevis in
1983.
The moves towards independence were not always smooth, with separatist movements/campaigns occurring in
Barbuda,
Nevis and
Anguilla. In Anguilla, this resulted in the secession of Anguilla from Saint Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla in
1969 and its reversion to British rule as a separate colony. During the 1970s, Nevis' local council had wished to follow Anguilla's example, rather than become independent with Saint Kitts, however the UK was opposed to Nevis becoming a separate colony and eventually the federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis became independent in 1983. In Barbuda, there was a campaign for separate independence from Antigua, but this was unsuccessful.
Of all of these islands that were once associated states, all are now independent, except for Anguilla within the former St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla, which is still a
British Overseas Territory.
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