Life under British colonialism in the West Indies was harsh and exploitative. African slaves were forced to work on sugar and other plantations in terrible conditions, and their labor was essential to the economic success of the British colonies. After the abolition of slavery in 1838, the transition to a free labor system was difficult and marked by poverty, social unrest, and continued exploitation of the working class. The British colonial administration imposed strict controls on the lives of West Indians, limiting their political rights and economic opportunities. Resistance to colonialism grew throughout the region, eventually leading to the independence of most West Indian nations in the 20th century.
