Fascinating Vintage Photos Show of West Indies in the 1960s

West Indies consists of 13 independent island nations and 18 dependents and other territories in three major archipelagos: the Greater Antilles, the Lesser Antilles, and the Lucayan Archipelago.

During the mid-1950s and ’60s, the UK reorganized all its West Indies Island territories (except for the British Virgin Islands and the Bahamas) into the West Indies Federation. The Federation hoped to unify into a single, independent nation. A lack of popular support, limited power, and numerous practical problems led to the Federation’s dissolution by the British in 1963. Nine provinces became independent sovereign states, while four became British Overseas Territories.

Independent West Indies states often align with Western nations. United Kingdom, France, and the United States are responsible for defending their overseas territories in the West Indies. Also, the United Kingdom and France generally have close ties with former dependencies, supplying arms, training, and, occasionally, defense. Additionally, they maintain military bases on several of these strategically important islands.

Below are some stunning vintage photos by Wilford Peloquin that show the life of the West Indies in the 1960s.

#1 Fort-de-France street scenes, Martinique, 1960s

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#2 Church, Fort-de-France, Martinique, 1960s

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#3 Fort-de-France, Martinique, 1960s

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#4 Saint-Pierre, Martinique, 1960s

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#5 Village, Martinique, 1960s

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#6 Dominica road, 1960s

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#7 Dominica, 1960s

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#8 Dominica, 1960s

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#9 Dominica, Little girl, 1960s

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#10 Native schooner, Dominica, 1966

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#11 Tourist truck, Dominica, 1966

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#12 Dominican school, 1960s

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#13 Mahogany workshop, Haiti, 1960s

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#14 Kingston Gardens, Jamaica, 1960s

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#15 Nevis beach, 1960s

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#16 Boatyard, Nevis, 1960s

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#17 Boy on a donkey, Nevis, 1960s

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#18 Boys and donkey on beach, Nevis, 1960s

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#19 Hamilton Square, Nevis, 1960s

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#20 Sailboat off Nevis, 1960s

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#21 Old San Juan church, Puerto Rico, 1960s.

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#22 Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, 1960s.

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#23 Saba, 1960s

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#24 Saba, 1960s

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#25 Boat to the landing stage, Saba, 1960s

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#26 Buying grapefruit, Saba, 1960s

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#27 The Bottom, Saba, 1960s

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#28 Yankee Clipper at anchor off, Saba, 1960s

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#29 Grand Baie Bridge, Sint Maarten, 1960s

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#30 Japanese tuna fishing, Sint Maarten, 1960s

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#31 Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, 1960s

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#32 Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, 1960s

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#33 Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, 1960s

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#34 St Barts, 1960s

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#35 St Barts beach, 1960s

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#36 Boy fishing, St Barts, 1960s

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#37 Coaster, Gustavia, St Barts, 1960s

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#38 Gustavia, St Barts, 1960s

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#39 Kids fishing in Gustavia, St Barts, 1960s

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#40 Woman with rattan, St Barts, 1960s

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#41 Yankee Clipper at anchor off St. Barts, St Barts, 1960s

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#42 St Maarten, 1960s

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#43 Boys diving for coins, Castries, St. Lucia, 1960s.

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#44 On the beach in St. Lucia, 1960s

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#45 St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, 1960s.

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#46 St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, 1960s.

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