Sir Christopher Codrington established the first large sugar estate in Antigua in 1674, and leased Barbuda to raise provisions for his plantations.

[3] With all others in the British Empire, Antiguan and Barbudan slaves were emancipated in 1834, but remained economically dependent upon the plantation owners.

Economic opportunities for the new freedmen were limited by a lack of surplus farming land, no access to credit, and an economy built on agriculture rather than manufacturing.

Poor labour conditions persisted until 1939, when a member of a royal commission urged the formation of a trade union movement.

The colonial social structure gradually started to be phased out with the introduction of universal education and better economic opportunities.