Whilst searching for another post on here I came across this via google which I thought some of you may find interesting? How did World War 2 effect the Trinidad and Tobago economy? A It was similar to the Depression. The economy dwindled as some of the workers were sent to concentration camps. Especially the Jewish workers. Fortunately, most were returned to their families with apologies. The Queen of England herself issued a formal apology and invited the families to dinner at her palace in Trinidad. Without this apology and the delicious kosher meal served it would have been as if nothing had happened. The far reaching effects are still being felt as the trauma of the experience is still being passed down generationally.
It was similar to the Depression. The economy dwindled as some of the workers were sent to concentration camps. Especially the Jewish workers. Yer wot? Concentration camps in the Caribbean? You're having a laugh.
Perhaps they were of German extraction and were interned? It happened here, too - didn't the Isle of Man become a big internment camp for aliens? It's possible that the camp in question could have been an evil shithole, but I've never heard of our internment camps being equated with the German ones. I imagine that most of the interned enemy aliens who happened to be Jewish were more than aware of the differences. Trade may well have been affected because of the Battle of the Atlantic if Caribbean produce was considered a luxury rather than a necessity.
"Concentration camps" is a bit strong. Internment camps: http://www.nalis.gov.tt/Communities/COMMUNITIES_JEWSINTNT.html Trinidad and Tobago
The Queen of England herself issued a formal apology and invited the families to dinner at her palace in Trinidad. Without this apology and the delicious kosher meal served it would have been as if nothing had happened. The far reaching effects are still being felt as the trauma of the experience is still being passed down generationally. I wonder at the veracity of that statement of 'fact' Regards Andy H
I wonder at the veracity of that statement of 'fact' Regards Andy H Agreed - seems unlikely. I've just checked The Times' and Google News' reports of HMQ's only two visits to Trinidad before 2009 - 7th-10th February 1966 and 1st-3rd November 1985 - and there's no mention of such a thing. If it is in any way correct, the 1966 visit would be more likely, since by 1985 she was no longer head of state there: banquets at the President's house and on HMY Britannia are mentioned for 1985, but nothing obvious in 1966.
