The 1953 constitutional suspension
In the territory's first universal-suffrage election in 1953, Cheddi Jagan's PPP won 18 of 24 seats. Concerned by the party's reform program and perceived communist sympathies, Britain suspended the constitution and removed Jagan's government in October 1953, sending in troops.[1]
· Administrative change
Suspension of the British Guiana constitution, 1953
After Cheddi Jagan's People's Progressive Party won 18 of 24 seats in the 1953 election, Britain suspended the constitution and removed his government in October 1953, sending in troops amid concerns over his party's reform program and communist sympathies.
The 1962-64 disturbances
Ethnic and political violence in 1962, 1963 and 1964 killed a combined roughly 195 people and injured well over a thousand, amid Cold War-era efforts, including US involvement, to destabilise the PPP government.[2]
· Conflict episode
British Guiana disturbances, 1962-1964
Ethnic and political violence in 1962, 1963 and 1964, amid Cold War-era efforts to destabilise the PPP government, killed a combined total of roughly 195 people and injured well over a thousand.
Independence
The Guyana Independence Act, 1966, given Royal Assent on 12 May 1966, provided that "on and after 26th May 1966 ... Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom shall have no responsibility for the government of the territory which immediately before that day constitutes the Colony of British Guiana and which on and after that day is to be called Guyana."[3]
· Declaration
Independence of Guyana, 1966
The Guyana Independence Act, 1966 ended British responsibility for the government of the territory formerly known as British Guiana with effect from 26 May 1966, renaming it Guyana.
United Nations membership
The Security Council unanimously recommended Guyana's UN membership on 21 June 1966, and the General Assembly admitted Guyana on 20 September 1966.[4][5]
· Recognition
Admission of Guyana to the United Nations, 1966
The Security Council unanimously recommended Guyana's admission to the United Nations on 21 June 1966, and the General Assembly admitted it on 20 September 1966.
Sources for this page
Each number marks a specific claim. Notes give the source, its locator and how it relates to the claim.
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1.
Claim: In British Guiana's first election under universal suffrage in 1953, Cheddi Jagan's People's Progressive Party won 18 of the 24 seats. Concerned by the PPP's program of socioeconomic reform and by strikes and demonstrations it encouraged, and viewing the party as pro-communist, British authorities suspended the constitution and dismissed Jagan's government in October 1953, sending troops to the territory.
- Cheddi Jagan (Encyclopaedia Britannica) link, Political career section. Source record
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2.
Claim: British Guiana experienced severe ethnic and political violence across three episodes between 1962 and 1964: disturbances in 1962 killed 6 and wounded 80; in 1963, 13 were killed and 730 injured; and in 1964, 176 were killed and 920 injured. These disturbances occurred amid Cold War-era efforts, including US involvement, to destabilise the PPP government of Cheddi Jagan.
- Jagan's Third PPP Government, 1961-64 (GlobalSecurity.org) link, article text. Source record
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3.
Claim: The Guyana Independence Act, 1966, given Royal Assent on 12 May 1966, provided in Section 1(1): "On and after 26th May 1966 (in this Act referred to as 'the appointed day') Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom shall have no responsibility for the government of the territory which immediately before that day constitutes the Colony of British Guiana and which on and after that day is to be called Guyana."
- Parliament of the United Kingdom, Guyana Independence Act 1966 (Chapter 14) (12 May 1966) link, Section 1. Government perspective or primary official source Source record
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4.
Claim: On 21 June 1966, at its 1287th meeting, the Security Council, having examined the application of Guyana, unanimously recommended to the General Assembly that Guyana be admitted to UN membership.
- United Nations Security Council, Security Council resolution 223 (1966) (United Nations, 21 June 1966) link, resolution text. Source record
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5.
Claim: The General Assembly, at its 1409th plenary meeting on 20 September 1966, having received the Security Council's recommendation and considered Guyana's application, decided to admit Guyana to United Nations membership.
- United Nations General Assembly, General Assembly resolution 2133 (XXI): Admission of Guyana to membership in the United Nations (United Nations, 20 September 1966) link, operative paragraph. Source record
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