Blackground: The majority of the population in New Providence in 1942, endured oppressive economic, social and political conditions. Most of the population suffered dire poverty.

On the eve of the Second World War with the collapse of the sponging industry, tourism, backed by Government financing, was developed as the major industry of the Bahamas. While it benefited and was controlled by Nassau's importers, wholesalers, retailers and real estate dealers, most of whom were white and members of the House of Assembly, and who profited from the secondary investment brought by the outside capital, it also provided attractive wage employment in Nassau.

The United States' entry into the Second World War in 1941 brought mixed blessings to The Bahamas. On the one hand, it caused the collapse of the tourist industry and building construction which exacerbated the already serious unemployment problem. On the other, The Bahamas benefited because of its strategic position in the Atlantic hemisphere.

New Providence was chosen to be the site of an Operational Training Unit under the joint auspices of the Imperial and United States Government. The installation which had to be built was supervised by the United States Army Engineering Department. An American firm, Pleasantville Incorporated, began work on the 20 May, 1942. Two sites were chosen; the Main Field just south of Grant's Town, the predominantly black section of Nassau, at the site of the small landing field (later called Oakes Field) that had been developed by Sir Harry Oakes. The Satellite Field was in the Pine Barren near the western end of New Providence, later called Windsor Field which became the Nassau International Airport. The operation called the 'Project' employed over two thousand men, many of them Out Islanders (Family Islanders) who had flocked to Nassau during the previous two decades in search of jobs. The Project not only provided work for Bahamians but also caused an influx of many white American workers who were brought in as foremen.

It had been agreed secretly between the United States and British governments that wages to be paid for labour on the Project should be at the local rates. For unskilled labour on building construction, Bahamian labourers received 4/- for eight hours.

Expectations were high among Bahamian labourers who expected a wage higher than the local rate. They heard rumours that the Pleasantville Company was willing to pay much higher wages to Bahamians but were prevented from doing so by the Bahamas Government. American (white) employees were earning much more for doing identical work. This caused dissatisfaction among the Bahamian labourers who had no effective means of expressing their grievances.

Labour Unions: The Labour Union (established in 1936) and Federation of Labour (established in 1942) were headed by Charles Rhodriquez, a black merchant in Grant's Town. The labourers complained to him on 20 May. They met again and agreed to a new scale of wages – 8/- a day for unskilled labourers. Mr Rhodriquez delivered the request in a letter to the Labour Officer. However, because of a delay, a crowd of labourers gathered on the afternoon of 31 May and demanded that their salary be increased.

The Riot: On 1 June most of the labourers both at the Main and Satellite Fields refused to work. They assembled at the Main Field armed with machetes, sticks and clubs and marched through the southern district to the town, singing patriotic songs including "We'll Never Let the Old Flag Fall."

The labourers who assembled at the Colonial Secretary's Office did not get any satisfaction. Within minutes, the riot started and a rowdy crowd rioted up and down Bay Street, smashing windows and looting stores. A parked Coca Cola Truck on Bay Street provided a supply of missiles. By noon, Bay Street lay in shambles. The rioters were pushed Over-the-Hill where they were spoken to by Milo Butler and Percy Christie, a white merchant and early Union Leader. Some rioted in Grant's Town, attacking the police station and burning an ambulance and fire engine. They also looted the Grant's Town Library and Post Office. In all, five persons died – many more were wounded.

A curfew was instituted. The next day a crowd attacked a black merchant Mr Holbert and a policeman, B.J. Nottage and also marched to Shirley Street attacking Mr Cole's pharmacy.

Results: The Duke of Windsor, who was Governor of The Bahamas 1940-1945, called black leaders including Dr C.R. Walker and the Hon. A.F. Adderley to a meeting and negotiated a 1/- per day wage increase for the labourers. He also appointed a Commission – the Russell Commission. The House of Assembly appointed a Select Committee. It blamed the riot on the Government. Both recognised that Bahamian labourers were dissatisfied with wages and discontented because the American workmen received higher wages for doing similar work. The Russell Commission cited economic difficulties, political inequalities and the lack of social legislation.

However, most of its recommendations were not heeded.

Actual Results: Constitutionally, no major reforms were to come for years. The Trade Union and Workmen's Compensation Acts were passed in the House of Assembly in 1943. However, the legislation was defective and severely restricted membership in a Union. For example, Civil Servants, domestic servants, hotel and agricultural workers were barred from Union privileges. The Ballot Act, to make the secret ballot permanent in New Providence and to extend it to the Out Islands was passed in 1946.

See 'The 1942 Riot in Nassau. A demand for change?' in Gail Saunders' Bahamian Society After Emancipation, Ian Randle Publishers, Kingston, Jamaica, 2003.