CLYDE WEATHERHEAD

IN THE lead-up to the 60th anniversary of independence, there was a plethora of media discussions and promotions focusing on the significance and achievements of the occasion and history, as well as assessing the independence and nation-building experience.

During one such radio talk show, the 1970 revolution inevitably came up.

Different views assessing that significant development varied between describing it as a dark period and a negative in the independence journey. Some even equating it with the July 27, 1990, attempted coup.

One host, however, said that 1970 must be seen as a positive experience of our young independent country because it brought about several positive changes, significantly the creation of employment opportunities denied many young, educated people who had been excluded from the banks and other institutions because of persisting racial discrimination.

This piece is an attempt to put 1970 in perspective; what led up to it just eight years after the heady atmosphere of anticipation as independence approached, what was the nature and significance of 1970 and its influence on the nation-building project.

There are now several articles, books like Power (Interviews 1970 T&T Part 1) by Chike Pilgrim and video presentations like '70: Remembering a Revolution (https://adobe/MMSdiCluRME), describing the atmosphere and events of 1970, including analyses published on the occasions of the 20th and 50th anniversaries of the 70 revolution.

Several cultural shows and performances, like Rawle Gibbons's De Roaring 70s, various calypsoes and other expressions of the visual and performing arts also record that important period, including exhibitions by the National Trust at Nelson Island and records of the National Archives (view Valentino's music video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n75Pki_loZ4).

The turbulent 60s

The economy of the country had become heavily dependent on the oil industry heading into the 1960s.

'The oil industry…became the main factor in the country's GDP and exports (up to 80 per cent of foreign exchange earnings by 1960-61).

'Economic growth of eight-ten per cent per annum in the six years leading to 1961 declined to one per cent in 1962 as world oil prices plunged.'1

So, the advent of independence saw the economy experience difficulties as oil prices slumped in 1962 and other sectors were not creating jobs or foreign exchange earnings as projected.

'The workers and their unions were fighting battles to save jobs as employment in oil fell by three per cent between 1965 and 1969. Automation in sugar led to retrenchment and in other sectors job cuts were the order of the day.

'In June 1968, 10,000 workers joined in a March of Resistance. TIWU led the challenge against the ISA with strikes at Sissons Paints in 1967 and in public transport in June 1968 and the May 1969 bus strike.

'The disaffected among the unemployed and the