More important Bahamas

Apologies to any Bahamians in advance.

Just read a book on Bahamian history. Seems that once the Pirates were cleared out the only time it was relevant, for lack of a more delicate term, was during the ACW and Prohibition until tourism kicked in. Otherwise it appears to have largely been a poor, unimportant island chain.

Was this because England didn't know what to do with it or were the islands just not able to be a more productive colony? Also, what could have been done to improve its standing?
 
This would be ASB, but stop the sea riisng. Then the Bahamas would be two main islands with about the size of Cuba.
 
If the Bahamas wind up in Canadian Confederation they'll pretty much the number one tourist destination for Canadians until the end of time. And another province in Confederation probably means Canadian history shakes out somewhat differently.
 
Extend the Age of Colonialism in the Americas. If Britian needs to worry about fighting in the Caribbean, they'll likely turn the Bahamas into a naval base, especially if an enemy controls Florida. Easy blockade and all.
 

raharris1973

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Were the Bahamas considered possible members of the Canadian confederation? Were other Caribbean territories like Jamaica, Belize, Guyana, the Grenadines, Turks and Caicos, Trinidad? What about Bermuda?
 
Were the Bahamas considered possible members of the Canadian confederation? Were other Caribbean territories like Jamaica, Belize, Guyana, the Grenadines, Turks and Caicos, Trinidad? What about Bermuda?

There was talk of it, but it never went very far. Jamaica was by far the most opposed and the Bahamas the most for. I suspect that if the Bahamas goes for it the others might get more of boost in favour. Canada might have some qualms about the administration when they start clamouring for a more democratic system than the one currently in place.
 
It's a useful port and that's it. It's a tiny archipelago and what soil it does have is not very productive to commercial farming.

This from a guy who thinks very well of the Bahamas. It's just a small, happy, local island chain in the world.
 

raharris1973

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Why was Jamaica opposed and Bahamas for.

I could see why Canada would be more for Jamaica than Bahamas (they get the same nice scenery and weather without as many poor people.)
 
Why was Jamaica opposed and Bahamas for.

I could see why Canada would be more for Jamaica than Bahamas (they get the same nice scenery and weather without as many poor people.)

jamaica today has about 10x the population of the bahamas. i thinks it's population has always been higher. did you mix up something in your post??
 

raharris1973

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jamaica today has about 10x the population of the bahamas. i thinks it's population has always been higher. did you mix up something in your post??

Indeed I did, I meant to say "I could see why Canada would be more for the Bahamas than Jamaica for....reasons"
 
So basically it's best hope is to become a naval base like Halifax and be a Caribbean Nova Scotia. Would the islands have been better off with different, i.e. Not British, ownership? And if so, whom?
 
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