Trinidad and Tobago and Member States

In the year 1958, the West Indies Federation, was started by the British Caribbean Federation Act of 1956 and the objective of starting this federation was to create a political unit that would become independent from Britain as a single state. This Federation consisted of ten (10) territories which were: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Barbados, Montserrat, Jamaica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla, Saint Vincent and lastly Trinidad and Tobago. The total population of the West Indies Federation was between three (3) and four (4) million people, and contained around twenty-four (24) inhabited islands with the largest being Jamaica. The Federal Parliament was bi-cameral consisting of an elected House of Representatives and a nominated Senate. Sir Grantley Adams, of Barbados was the one and only Prime Minister of the Federation, Queen Elizabeth II was the Head of State and the Federal capital was located in Trinidad. Also, flag was made to represent the ten territories that made up the Federation.
Aims of the West Indian Federation:
Britain did not show much interest after Emancipation because sugar no longer gained massive amounts of profits to Britain and this forced the member countries of the Federation to develop ideas to solve their social and economical problems.
To achieve independence.
To obtain cheaper wages for imports and gain better wages for exports.
Also, to resist the United States intervention in the affairs of the Caribbean.
The West Indies Federation also achieved some goals and theses were uniting the smaller states to enhance their effectiveness in dealing with international bodies and gained independence through a united voice. In May 1962, the West Indies Federation had collapsed due to arguments around finance and freedom of movement. These factors disbanded the Federation:
-There were conflicts among members, for example determining the capital site.
-It’s two largest members, Trinidad and Jamaica, was expected