Grade Six Social Studies Hello Boys and Girls,
This week we continue with the struggle for Guyana’s Independence. Let us look back at what we have learnt about the first step taken towards Guyana’s freedom from colonial rule.
• The Waddington Constitution was introduced.
• In 1953 general elections were held. The PPP won the elections and formed the government.
• The PPP government was abruptly dismissed and the constitution suspended by the British
Government.
• An Interim Government was then set up by the British Government to rule the colony, British Guiana from 1953 to 1957.
In 1955, the original PPP had split into two parties; one party led by Dr. Cheddi Jagan and the other party by Mr. Forbes Burnham. Both parties were called PPP.
√ The second step towards Independence for Guyana
A democratic constitution was re-introduced in 1956 followed by elections in 1957. By this time the PPP party led by Mr. Forbes Burnham had changed its name to the People’s National Congress (PNC). The election resulted in victory for the Jagan-led PPP.
As time went on, other leaders joined the struggle for Guyana’s independence. For example, in 1960 Mr. Peter D’Aguiar formed the third major political party, the United Force (UF) to represent the views of the minority groups in Parliament.
√ Third step towards Independence for Guyana
A constitution granting internal self-government was introduced in 1961. This was followed by elections under the First-Past-the-Post (FPP) system. Under this system, a political party wins an election if it gains more votes than any other party. The PPP gained more votes than the PNC and the UF, therefore won the elections and formed the government. Dr. Cheddi Jagan became the first Premier of British Guyana.
In 1962, both Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago gained independence from Great Britain but at this time British Guiana was plagued by prolonged political unrest/disturbances from 1962 to 1964. There was loss of hundreds of lives and destruction of many houses and other buildings. The country was in chaos. How was order restored in the country? British troops had to be sent to restore order.
In December 1964, elections were held again, but this time under the system of Proportional Representation (PR). This system is still being used in Guyana today. What is Proportional Representation? This is a system of voting in which each political party is represented in parliament in proportion to the number of people who vote for it in an election. The PNC and the UF parties together received the overall majority of the votes in the elections, so they came together to form a coalition government with Forbes Burnham, leader of the PNC, as Prime Minister. In 1965 the leaders of the PNC and the UF attended a constitutional Conference in London to fix a date for Independence.
√ The fourth and last constitutional step towards independence
The Guyana Independence Act, 1966 was passed by the British Government.
This Act was passed on the 12th May, 1966 and brought into force on the 26th May, 1966. What happened after this Act came into effect? By this Act, the British government on or after May 26, 1966 had no power to govern the country, which was no longer a colony of the British Empire but an independent country with a new name, Guyana.
On the evening of May 25, 1966, Georgetown was buzzing with activities to usher in independence. There was a cultural performance at the Queen Elizabeth Park (now known as the National Park). Thousands of people had gathered there for the flag-raising ceremony. Among them were the Duke of Kent and his wife, the Duchess of Kent. They were representing Queen Elizabeth II. Other dignitaries were also present. Then, at about one minute to midnight the British National Flag, the Union Jack, a symbol of colonial rule was lowered and Guyana’s new flag, the Golden Arrowhead was hoisted for the first time, signifying that Guyana has become a nation free from colonial rule. The display of fireworks after the hoisting of Guyana’s new Golden Arrowhead was also seen and enjoyed in many other parts of the country. Major towns and many villages across the country had flag-raising ceremony and celebrations of freedom too.
Lowering of the Union Jack and hoisting of the Golden Arrowhead
On the first Independence Day, the major event was the State opening of the Parliament of Guyana. Before the meeting began in Parliament there was a military parade with great pomp and pageantry. Many people came out to witness the spectacular event. The meeting of Parliament was then chaired by Speaker Aubrey Alleyne. The Duke of Kent, the representative of Queen Elizabeth II of England read the Throne Speech on the Queen’s behalf, then handed over to Prime Minister Forbes Burnham the Independence Constitutional Instruments. Then Prime Minister Burnham gave a speech and Leader of the Opposition gave a speech too. The Duchess of Kent, the wife of the Duke of Kent was also present at the handing-over ceremony. The Prime Minister appointed the first Governor General, Sir Richard Luyt to assist in the running of the country. But he performed the duties of Governor General for a short time. The Prime Minister then appointed Sir David Rose, a Guyanese, to fill the position of Governor General of Guyana.
Handing over of the Independence Instruments to Prime Minister Burnham by the Duke of Kent on May 26, 1966 in Parliament Buildings
The Flag-raising Ceremony and the Handing over of the Constitutional Instruments of Independence in the Parliament of Guyana are events that marked the end of the struggles from colonial rule for the former British colony, Guyana and the beginning of its independence/freedom.
Exercise
1. Before its independence, Guyana was a colony of which country?
2. Who was the first Prime Minister of Independent Guyana?
3. Where was the Golden Arrowhead hoisted for the first time?
4. Who was sent to British Guiana as a representative of Queen Elizabeth II? 5. What are features of an independent country?
Goodbye boys and girls!