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| 1972, Feb. 29 |
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| Michael Manley (b. 1924) of the People's National Party (PNP) was elected prime minister of Jamaica. Facing opposition from businesspeople and the banking community, Manley attempted over the next eight years to introduce a democratic social welfare state. | 1 |
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| 1974, Feb. 7 |
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| Grenada, under the leadership of Eric Gairy, gained independence from Britain amid unrest and strikes. | 2 |
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| 1978, Nov. 2 |
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| Dominica, with a population of 75,000, gained independence. It elected the first woman prime minister in the British Caribbean, Eugenia Charles. | 3 |
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| 1979, Feb. 21 |
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| St. Lucia gained independence from Britain. | 4 |
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| March |
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| Maurice Bishop (1944–1983) of the New Jewel Movement took power in Grenada, overthrowing the dictatorship of the U.S.-backed eccentric, Sir Eric Gairy. Bishop immediately began social reforms, building housing and expanding literacy, and he established closer ties with Cuba. | 5 |
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| Oct. 30 |
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| St. Vincent and the Grenadines gained independence. | 6 |
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