top of page
This site was designed with the
.com
website builder. Create your website today.Start Now

European Contact with Guyana

Although Columbus sighted the Guyanese coast in 1498 during his third voyage to the Americas, the Dutch were the first Europeans to settle in what is now Guyana. The Netherlands had obtained independence from Spain in the late 1500s and by the early 1600s had emerged as a major commercial power, trading with the fledgling English and French colonies in the Lesser Antilles.

 

In 1616, the Dutch established the first European settlement in the area of Guyana, a trading post twenty-five kilometers upstream from the mouth of the Essequibo River. Other settlements followed, usually a few kilometers inland on the larger rivers. The initial purpose of the Dutch settlements was trade with the indigenous people. The Dutch's aim soon changed to acquisition of territory as other European powers gained colonies elsewhere in the Caribbean.

 

Although Guyana was claimed by the Spanish, who sent periodic patrols through the region, the Dutch gained control over the region early in the seventeenth century. Dutch sovereignty was officially recognized with the signing of the Treaty of Munster in 1648.

 

For more information and more by the moment news, follow this link.

Guyana's Involvement in WWII

As one of the British West Indian colonies, Guyana (then British Guiana) gave full support to the Allied forces during World War II, after Britain declared war on Germany in September of 1939. Guianese citizens joined the British Navy, the Royal Air Force, the Women's Corps, as well as forming part of the British Caribbean Forces. They also lent land to the United States to be used as American Military Bases for a lease period of 99 years. Initially, the war was detrimental to the economy of Guiana, as many merchant ships that imported goods from Britain and North America were utilized for military transport. But despite the economic constraints, there was no serious lack of food as Guianese farmers produced large quantities of food crops, as well as the government maintaining control over the prices of goods and providing subsidies for necessary imports.

In addition to providing both troops and space for military bases, British Guiana was also a major supplier of high-grade bauxite to the United States. Bauxite is an ore used to create aluminum, and the bauxite provided by Guiana was used to help create roughly two-thirds of all Allied aircraft manufactured during the war. The increase in the export of bauxite from 476,000 tons in 1939 to 1,902,000 tons in 1943, due to the war, benefited the Guianese economy greatly, leaving their treasury with a $6 million surplus by the end of the war.

Guyana’s Independence

Guyana historically a British colony gained its independence May 26, 1966.  British Guiana became a crown colony in 1928.  Guiana was given home rule in 1953.  The colony’s first political party was created in 1950.  It was called the Progressive People’s Party or, the (PPP).  Its founders were Cheddi Jagan, an Indian Guyanese man and Forbes Burnham, an Afro-Guyanese man.  The party was dedicated to gaining the colony’s independence.  In 1953, Cheddi Jagan was elected Chief Minister.  The British were alarmed by Jagan’s Marxist’s view so, they suspended the constitution and government.  An interim government was put in its place. Burnham and Jagan split the PPP in 1955.  Burnham founded the People’s National congress or, the (PNC).  Burham’s moderate views and Jagan’s leftish views dominated Guyana for decades.  Britain granted the colony autonomy in 1961.  Jagan became Prime minister from 1961 to 1964.  It is believed that the CIA conducted covert operations which caused strikes and riots that weakened Jagan’s rule.  Burnham succeeded Jagan as Prime Minister in 1964.  He remained in this position after the country gained its independence in 1966.  With independence, the country went back to its traditional name Guyana.   

Immigration

bottom of page