Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) Caribbean History Practice Exam

Wages were higher in Trinidad than in Barbados after 1838 primarily because there was available land in Trinidad. Following the emancipation of enslaved people in the British Caribbean, Trinidad had opportunities for agricultural development, particularly in the sugar and cocoa industries. The availability of land allowed for increased production and the possibility of employing more laborers, which in turn could drive wages upward due to the demand for workers to manage and expand agricultural operations. Additionally, this difference in land availability contributed to a more favorable economic environment in Trinidad, where economic investment, settlement opportunities, and agricultural expansion offered better employment prospects. Contrarily, Barbados, having a more established agricultural land usage with limited capacity for expansion, faced stagnant wage conditions. This context makes it clear why the economic conditions in Trinidad after emancipation led to higher wages compared to those in Barbados during the same period.