The Reasons for and the Effects of Bahamian Emigration to Florida - Term Paper Example

Introduction America has been home to thousands of migrants from African, European, Asian and South American countries. America was adopted as refugee state by the residents of African and South American countries. These residents left their country in hope for prosperity and equality. During the period between 1870 and 1920, many migrants entered United States from Caribbean countries. It gross-domestic product ratio, unemployment rate and poverty factor of Caribbean countries were lowest during this period. The despair and disappointment reflected on the faces of the Caribbean, and these people were desperately willing to enter United States. Why United States? The country was agricultural country, the country has strong economic foundation, and the quality of life of its citizen was comparatively better than other any country. The United States was considered to be land of opportunity, and was therefore a safe haven for the migrants from South America. The economy of the country was on road to success and expansion, and the country required large number of labour forces. The migrants were South America were therefore able to find adequate opportunities, and were able to secure economic fortunes and quality life. The status of the newly emancipated blacks in the nineteenth century provoked a wave of migration of whites to the United States. Key West played an important part in the Bahamas – Florida connection. Many whites who were living in the northern islands such as the Abacos were making a livelihood from activities such as sponging, fishing and wrecking. After emancipation these activities also became a part of the livelihood of the newly emancipated slave. The whites then found themselves in stiff competition with the blacks. This and other reasons drove them to occupy Key West which was in close proximity to the Bahamas. There racial prejudices also helped to push them at a faster rate and in greater numbers. “The Abaconians had migrated because they were ‘disgusted at the civil and religious equality of the negroes’ and were conversely attracted by the fact that Florida was a slaveholding state resolutely adhering to ‘Southern values’, where they could ‘gratify their contemptuous dislike without stint and without reprisals’ (Craton & Saunders 218). The trend changed, however, in 1865 after the abolition of slavery in the United States. Encouraged by the possibility of job opportunities and better living conditions many black Bahamians also moved to Key West. Another wave of black Bahamian migrants occurred in the 1880s when cigar manufacturing companies from Cuba moved their businesses to Key West. A large supply of labor for these tobacco factories was supplied by Bahamians. As life in Key West became unattractive in the early twentieth century, Bahamians sought a livelihood elsewhere in the state. This time their main attraction was working on the agricultural lands as labourers. The migration was not limited to this category of workers, however, as others such as tradesmen came to be a part of “the Miami Craze” (219). As they settled in a new country Bahamians introduced their culture to the Americans. They built Bahamian style houses in many of the communities that they settled and they also celebrated their national festivals such as junkanoo. One of the disadvantages of the Bahamian migration to Florida was the decay of life in the out islands. Many of the migrants came from the out island because they were less developed and employment was harder to come by. American Interest From American perspective, the Caribbean region has always remained important due to its strategic location, in particular the Bahamas. Caribbean countries were geographically accessible for South America. The South American continent has its important from economic point-of-view; the continent has among the largest oil reserves, largest fruit exporter, and largest exporter of spices and minerals. The government of United States therefore adored South America, and wanted to develop political and military liaison with the South America. The approach to South America through Bahamas was practical and feasible. The United States was therefore politically engaged with the regimes in Caribbean, and wanted to develop business and political affiliation. During 1900s, the European countries in particular France, Russia, Germany, England and Spain were involved in several mischievous attempts worldwide to explore and expand their territory, the United States considered this as a threat to their national integrity. The United States government there tried to approach Caribbean countries for support especially Bahamas, the government decided to develop their military units and operation command at Caribbean countries to monitor the military chauvinism of Europeans in South America. The strategic location of Bahamas therefore increased the interest and commitment of the United States towards Caribbean people. In 1900s, the United States established its military units in Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Bahamas and Puerto Rico. The Spanish forces were already present in Cuba, and the forces of United States acted proactively to dilute the presence and influence of Spanish community in this region. The military of United States fought against Spanish forces in 1898, and were able rebuke the Spanish forces (Philip, 56). Through this military action, the United States warned the Europeans not to interfere, the message was loud and clear. The importance of Caribbean countries was therefore important, and United States then decided to further expand its military units in the region through Platt Amendment in 1902, the Bahamas was focal location. The military offensive assisted United States in securing the political and economic fortunes of the region which were previously directed towards European countries. The United States government influence the political setup of Haiti and Dominican Republic. The Americans contributed towards the construction of Panama Canal to facilitate trade across Atlantic and Pacific Ocean. The United States government developed smart plan. To avoid local public resentment against military of United States for occupation of Bahamas; the government encouraged the Bahamians to migrate to United States for better economic opportunities. In 1900 alone, more than 100,000 migrants from Bahamas migrated to United States for better opportunity. During World War-I, the need of labour forces was on higher side, and therefore heavy flux of migrants from Bahamas moved to United States for better earning opportunities. The Americans gained its influence and supremacy in this region initially through military intervention, and by allowing thousands of Bahamas to migrate. These migrants contributed significantly in post World War-I scenario, and assisted United Sates to recover from damages and destruction bestowed upon the war. The Americans offered these migrants with better financial remuneration against the amount which was offered to these migrants at their homeland. It was the Great Depression in 1930s which affected the United States economically, and therefore all the financial projects were shunned, the manpower requirement reduced significantly and the government had to stop its migration program (Barry, 123). Challenges for Migrants Beside economic and industrial benefits, the United States witnessed the growing racism. The arrival of Caribbean migrants developed intense atmosphere were violence and crimes were triggered by racists. The social equilibrium was disturbed, and during this period the differences between the white and black intensified. This social disengagement was threat to economic and industrial prosperity of United States. During this period, the influx of Bahamian population to United States was on higher side. The presence of black Bahamian was threat to the social harmony and status of white population of United States. The local population found it difficult to align with the people from Bahamian due to social and cultural differences, even the educational and professional background of both the communities were distinct. It is therefore near to impossible to bridge social understanding between the two groups. The difference of race, culture, financial status and educational background resulted in intense battle between the two groups. The era of development and revolution was victim to social unrest and disobedience. The Bahamian population expressed their resentment towards the locals, and this was responsible for the radicalization. It was in 1924, when the government of United States took offensive approach and introduced legislation under Immigration Act of 1924 which prohibited the immigration of Bahamian population to United States. The consequences and repercussions of such discriminatory law were negative. During this period between 1870 and 1920, thousands of people from Bahamian migrated to United States; these migrants worked, developed houses and had families (George, 12). The imposition of this legislation was therefore widely condemned and protested by the Bahamian migrants, and this resulted in social unrest. It is important to understand that these migrants were settled wide across United States, and consequences of such legislation would be have been threatening all across. The migrants from Bahamian were mainly settled in urban and developed cities of United States. During 1920s, the 22percent of the total black migrant population was settled in Florida, followed by New York and Massachusetts with 17percent. Florida was home to largest number of migrants from Bahamian, and was therefore sensitive and critical city. Florida was home to economic success, and many industrial and agricultural projects were undertaken by public and private companies. The presence of migrants was an opportunity for the companies to recruit employees at nominal wages. It is however only the growing racism which had potential to jeopardized the situation. The colour and creed of migrants from Bahamian was disadvantage for them, and this group was victim of racial discrimination, violence and prejudice. These migrants were generally patient, and were polite towards the racist remarks and actions of local white population. It is important to discuss the behaviour and adaption of Bahamian from psychological perspective; the Bahamian people were different from the African-American population. The Bahamian population belong to country where poverty was high, economic development was near to impossible; the concept of education was naive, and quality of life was sub-standard. The United States offered migrants with an opportunity to excel economically, socially, politically, morally, ethically and academically but at the cost of racial discrimination. It is on record that African-American population has been largely involved in the criminal and terrorist activities, but the Bahamian population refrained from such offensive mode (Ernst, 231). The Bahamian population worked diligently to achieve social and economic status in United States – and it is on record that the people from Jamaica, Bahamas, Haiti and Trinidad have secured financial fortunes, and their participation and support towards social mischievous have remained always low. This group of migrants have been actively engagement in the social, economic and industrial development of the country, and has contributed towards economic success of the region peacefully. The migrants from Bahamian have been able to adapt with local culture and tradition very well, and have remained sincere towards their own traditional events (Philip, 56). The Bahamian female population have remained actively committed towards improving their qualitative standards of living. Between 1910 and 1920s, the women population from Bahamian migrated to United States, and offered services as nurses, teachers and servants. Due to illiteracy, large number of women from Bahamian registered for house-hold domestic services. It has been unfortunate that the females from Bahamian have felt victim to the poor economic condition, and had to commit themselves for sexual trade to earn and survive (Michael, 81). Conclusion It has been the political and military motives which caused economic prosperity for the Caribbean population, with particular reference to the Bahamian people. The strategic location of Caribbean region has deep impact on the foreign policy of United States. The United States has remained committed towards the development and progress of this region, and has always expressed its concern towards the growing foreign involvement particularly from European countries and China. This has been the political-cum-military game in which United States was key player, and the population of Caribbean region were pawns which progressed forward with caution because racial discrimination was major fear. The Bahamian population were definitely able to receive financial gains and job security, and their quality of life improved significantly. The United States offered educational and healthcare reforms for the migrants; however it was the racial bias which threatened the migrants. In this specific case, the migrants have not been victim of physical assault and were neither used as military shield, the migrants were able to explore benefits, and were in ample numbers in major cities like Florida and New York. The benefits gained by Bahamian during this period however outclass the consequential discriminatory actions. References 1. Barry B. Levine. The Caribbean Exodus. New York: Greenwood Publishing Group, 1987. 2. George Gmelch. Double Passage: The Lives of Caribbean Migrants Abroad and Back Home. Michigan: University of Michigan Press, 1992. 3. L. van Naerssen, Ton van Naersse, Ernst Spaan. Global Migration and Development. London: Routledge, 2007. 4. Philip Cash, Shirley C. Gordon, Gail Saunders. Sources of Bahamian History. Houston: Macmillan Caribbean, 1991. 5. Michael Craton, Gail Saunders. Islanders in the Stream: A History of the Bahamian People: Volume Two: From the Ending of Slavery to the Twenty-First Century. Georgia: University of Georgia Press, 2000. Read More