During World War II the rise of labor to political power in Jamaica, an English Colony since 1655, represented a new and dramatic development that necessitated political reform. In November 1944, the inauguration of limited self-government based upon the Westminster model of government, and for the first time in the history of Jamaica, on universal adult suffrage, brought the Crown Colony period to and end and placed Jamaica securely on the road to self-government. Like most British dependencies, Jamaica began a long period of tutelary democracy under British guidance to achieve statehood. From 1944 to full independence in 1962, periodic constitutional advances took place. By 1959, the island was self-governing with only defense and international relations referred to the Crown.