In 1942 the majority of the population endured oppressive economic, social and political conditions. People experienced a lot of poverty. The Burma Road Riot of 1942 was the last in a series of riots and strikes that occurred across Britain and the West Indies after 1934. It brought the distressed conditions of the black working class to the attention of the British government. Cause and effect were governed by the following factors: racial tension, lack of education, and unfair wages. New Providence was selected as the site of an operational training unit under the joint efforts of the Imperial and United States governments. An American company, called "Pleasantville Incorporated", has been awarded the contract to build two sites in the Bahamas. One was to be a main field called Oakes Field which had been developed by Sir Harry Oakes. The second site was the Satellite Field which was located in Pine Barren near the western end of New Providence. These two camps were training bases for American and British soldiers preparing for World War II. This later became Nassau International Airport. The operation called "project" employed over two thousand men; many of whom came from the Island family looking for work. The project not only provided jobs for Bahamians, but also for many white American workers. There were several causes that led to this riot and the immediate cause was racial tension. Racism tends to persist more easily when there are obvious physical differences between groups, for example “black” and “white” differences. This undoubtedly results in attempts to limit economic opportunity, to preserve status, to deny equal protection under the law, and to retain cheap labor. Discrimination was depicted... in the center of the card... and this occurred following the riot. Workers received a pay rise of 1 shilling a day along with a free meal. The secret ballot was made permanent in 1946 and there was a revival of the trade unions. Furthermore, even though it lasted more than ten years, the Burma Road riot certainly encouraged the development of political parties that occurred in 1953. This riot also led to a greater awareness of black consciousness in the hearts and minds of black Bahamians. During the Burma Road riot, blacks were encouraged to fight for equal rights. When they rebelled, they didn't simply destroy shop windows, but, in doing so, they tore down a social and political wall deeply rooted in oppression, racism and exploitation. The uprising was an important first step in the popular movement that would develop the Bahamas for decades to come.