Pre-Crisis Phase (March 25, 1954-March 19, 1981): The British Honduras Constitution Ordinance, which provided for a 16-member Legislative Assembly and universal adult suffrage, went into effect on March 25, 1954. Legislative elections were held on April 28, 1954, and the People’s United Party (PUP) won eight out of nine elected seats in the Legislative Assembly. The National Party (NP) won one seat in the Legislative Assembly. The Legislative Assembly convened in Belize City on June 18, 1954. Colin Hardwick Thornley was appointed as Governor of British Honduras on January 17, 1956. Legislative elections were held on March 20, 1957, and the PUP won nine of out nine elected seats in the Legislative Assembly. At the request of Governor Colin Hardwick Thornley, the garrison of British troops in British Honduras was reinforced by 700 additional troops on December 6, 1957. On February 17, 1960, representatives of the British government and British Honduras agreed on “preliminary steps for advancing the British colony toward eventual self-government.” On February 19, 1960, the British government rejected a claim by Guatemala to the colony of British Honduras. Legislative elections were held on March 26, 1961, and the PUP won 18 out of 18 elected seats in the Legislative Assembly. George Cadle Price of the PUP was sworn in as First Minister of British Honduras on April 7, 1961. Sir Peter Stallard was appointed as Governor of British Honduras on December 9, 1961. An incursion of Guatemalan troops into British Honduras took place on January 22, 1962. A detachment of British troops was sent by Governor Peter Stallard to the Toledo Distict where the incursion took place. Representatives of the British government and political parties in British Honduras agreed on a new constitution for British Honduras in London on July 18, 1963. The new constitution, which provided for a bicameral National Assembly and granted self-government, went into effect on December 31, 1963. Legislative elections were held on March 1, 1965, and the PUP won 16 out of 18 seats in the House of Representatives. The National Independence Party (NIP) won two seats in the House of Representatives. George Cadle Price of the PUP was sworn in as Prime Minister of British Honduras on March 3, 1965. Sir John Warburton Paul was appointed as Governor of British Honduras on July 11, 1966. Legislative elections were held in December 1969, and the PUP won 17 out of 18 seats in the House of Representatives. The National Independence Party-People’s Development Movement (NIP-PDM) won one seat in the House of Representatives. The National Assembly convened in the new capital city of Belmopan on October 9, 1970. Sir Richard Neil Posnett was appointed as Governor of British Honduras on January 26, 1972. On March 21, 1972, the British government announced that it had doubles the size of the British military force in Belize from 275 troops to 550 troops. The name of colony of British Honduras was changed to Belize on June 1, 1973. George Cadle Price of the PUP was sworn in as prime minister of Belize on June 1, 1973. Legislative elections were held on October 30, 1974, and the PUP won 12 out of 18 seats in the House of Representatives. The United Democratic Party (UDP) won six seats in the House of Representatives. Peter Donovan McEntee was appointed as Governor of Belize on June 1, 1976. Legislative elections were held on November 21, 1979, and the PUP won 13 out of 18 seats in the House of Representatives. The UDP won five seats in the House of Representatives. Sir James Hennessy was appointed as Governor of Belize in 1980. The government of Belize reached a preliminary agreement with the government of Guatemala, known as the Heads of Agreement, in London on March 11, 1981.
Crisis Phase (March 20, 1981-September 21, 1981): Opposition political parties in Belize demonstrated against the agreement and organized a nationwide strike beginning on March 20, 1981, resulting in the deaths of four individuals. Governor James Hennessy declared a state of emergency in Belize on April 3, 1981. The UDP boycotted independence talks in London beginning on April 6, 1981. The representatives attending the talks in London agreed on a constitution for an independent Belize on April 15, 1981. Representatives of the British government and political parties in Belize met in New York beginning on May 20, 1981. The proclamation for the independence of Belize was signed on July 26, 1981. Belize formally achieved its independence from Britain on September 21, 1981.
[Sources: New York Times, December 8, 1957, December 17, 1957, February 18, 1960, March 1, 1960, March 6, 1960, March 4, 1961, January 2, 1962, January 23, 1962, April 17, 1962, July 19, 1963, July 23, 1963, July 25, 1963, August 1, 1963, March 1, 1965, March 4, 1965, July 4, 1965, April 30, 1968, March 22, 1972, April 3, 1981, April 7, 1981, April 15, 1981, July 27, 1981, September 21, 1981.]
Selected Bibliography
Herman, Paula. 1975. “British Honduras: A Question of Viability,” World Affairs, vol. 138 (1), pp. 60-68.