Post-independence era
Main article: Independence of Jamaica
Strong economic growth, averaging approximately 6% per year, marked the first ten years of independence under conservative JLP governments; these were led by successive Prime Ministers Alexander Bustamante, Donald Sangster (who died of natural causes within two months of taking office) and Hugh Shearer.[26] The growth was fuelled by high levels of private investment in bauxite/alumina, tourism, the manufacturing industry and, to a lesser extent, the agricultural sector. In the 1967 Jamaican general election, the JLP were victorious again, winning 33 out of 53 seats, with the PNP taking 20 seats.[70]
In terms of foreign policy Jamaica became a member of the Non-Aligned Movement, seeking to retain strong ties with Britain and the United States whilst also developing links with Communist states such as Cuba.[26]
Michael Manley, Prime Minister 1972–1980 and 1989–1992
The optimism of the first decade was accompanied by a growing sense of inequality among many Afro-Jamaicans, and a concern that the benefits of growth were not being shared by the urban poor, many of whom ended up living in crime-ridden shanty towns in Kingston.[26] This led to the voters electing the PNP under Michael Manley in 1972. The PNP won 37 seats to the JLP's 16.[70]
Manley's government enacted various social reforms, such as a higher minimum wage, land reform, legislation for women's equality, greater housing construction and an increase in educational provision.[71][26] Internationally he improved ties with the Communist bloc and vigorously opposed the apartheid regime in South Africa.[26]
In 1976, the PNP won another landslide, winning 47 seats to the JLP's 13. The turnout was a very high 85 percent.[72] However, the economy faltered in this period due to a combination of internal and external factors (such as the oil shocks).[26] The rivalry between the JLP and PNP became intense, and political and gang-related violence grew significantly in this period.[26]
By 1980, Jamaica's gross national product had declined to some 25% below its 1972 level.[citation needed] Seeking change, Jamaicans voted the JLP back in in 1980 under Edward Seaga, the JLP winning 51 seats to the PNP's nine seats.[70][26] Firmly anti-Communist, Seaga cut ties with Cuba and sent troops to support the US invasion of Grenada in 1983.[26] The economic deterioration, however, continued into the mid-1980s, exacerbated by a number of factors. The largest
Caption this Meme
