Belize In 1950: A Year Of Change And Progress

In 1950, Belize (then called British Honduras) saw the formation of the People's United Party (PUP), which became the leading political party for the next 30 years and pushed for Belize's independence. The PUP emerged from the People's Committee, a group formed in protest of the governor's decision to devalue the currency in 1949. The People's Committee became the People's United Party on 29 September 1950, with the political objective of fighting colonialism and achieving political and economic independence.

The formation of the People's United Party (PUP)

The People's United Party (PUP) was formed in 1950 and led Belize's independence movement. It emerged from the People's Committee (PC), which was formed in January 1950 in response to the British Colonial Governor's decision to devalue the British Honduras dollar against the will of the Legislative Council. The PC, led by John Smith and George Price, began to speak out against colonialism and gained support from Belizeans across the country. On February 12, 1950, a crowd of 10,000 people marched to Government House in Belize City, and a state of emergency was imposed.

As the PC gained momentum, it began to work with the General Workers Union (GWU) and held joint meetings to discuss issues such as devaluation, labour legislation, federation, and constitutional reform. The GWU had received its right to organise British Honduran workers just a few years prior. The GWU's leaders, including Clifford Betson, Antonio Soberanis, Henry Middleton, and Nicholas Pollard Sr., would later become prominent members of the PUP.

By September 1950, the PC recognised that it had become a political party and unanimously voted to dissolve and form the PUP on September 29, 1950. The first leaders of the PUP were John Smith, Leigh Richardson, George Price, and Philip Goldson. John Smith, however, resigned from the PUP in 1951.

The PUP was Belize's first nationalist party and dominated local politics for the next three decades. Under the leadership of George Price, the PUP played a major role in negotiating Belize's self-government in 1964 and eventual independence in 1981. The party advocated for anti-colonialism and a break from all things colonial, including the name "British Honduras". The PUP introduced Belize's flag, anthem, prayer, and modern constitution.

The PUP's formation was influenced by various factors, including the deplorable living and working conditions of the people of British Honduras under British colonialism. Belizeans were denied any effective say in the decision-making process of the colony. Other issues that agitated Belizeans included Universal Adult Suffrage, the West Indian Federation, import controls, immigration, and the decline of the chicle and mahogany industries. The PUP's formation was also influenced by the activities of politically active groups at the time, including the "Natives First" Group, the Christian Social Action Group, and the Open Forum. The first leaders of the PUP emerged from the ranks of the Christian Social Action Group and were young alumni of St. John's College who had been exposed to the principles of social justice.

Devaluation of the British Honduran dollar

The devaluation of the British Honduran dollar on 31 December 1949 was a pivotal moment in Belize's history, sparking the emergence of a formidable nationalist movement and accelerating the push for independence. The event united various segments of Belizean society, including labour, nationalists, and the Creole middle class, in opposition to colonial rule.

Impact on the Rich and Poor

The devaluation of the British Honduran dollar had far-reaching consequences for both the wealthy and the impoverished in Belize. Wealthy merchants, such as Henry Melhado, Guy Nord, and Robert Sydney Turton, saw their fortunes affected by the currency devaluation. As a result, some of these individuals began to support the nationalist movement, providing financial backing for the country's first political party.

Impact on Labour

The devaluation had a significant impact on the working class, subjecting them to higher prices for goods, particularly food, which were imported from the United States. This sparked outrage among labourers, who felt that their interests were being neglected in favour of protecting the profits of large transnational companies, such as the Belize Estate and Produce Company.

Formation of the People's Committee

The devaluation of the currency was a pivotal moment in the country's independence movement. On the very night that the governor announced the devaluation, the People's Committee was formed, marking a turning point in the maturation of the independence movement.

The Role of the Governor

The governor's decision to devalue the currency, made using reserve powers and in defiance of the Legislative Council, angered nationalists as it highlighted the limitations of the legislature and the extent of the colonial administration's authority. This decision also led to protests, as it protected the interests of transnational companies while negatively impacting the working class.

The Path to Independence

In the years following the devaluation, from 1950 to 1954, the People's United Party (PUP) solidified its organisation, established a broad base of support, and articulated its key demands. The PUP focused on advocating for constitutional reforms, including universal adult suffrage, an elected Legislative Council, and the introduction of a ministerial system. The colonial administration, feeling threatened by the growing support for the PUP, retaliated by attacking the party's leaders and attempting to discredit them. Despite these challenges, the PUP emerged as a powerful political force, with George Price at its helm.

The labour movement

In 1935, Soberanis was jailed under a new sedition law, but the labour agitation achieved a lot. The governor created relief work to avoid civil disturbances, and workers built over 300 kilometres of roads. The greatest achievements of the agitation of the 1930s were the labour reforms passed between 1941 and 1943. Trade unions were legalised in 1941, and in 1943, breach-of-labour-contract was removed from the criminal code, enabling British Honduras's infant trade unions to pursue the struggle for improving labour conditions. The General Worker's Union (GWU) was also registered in 1943 and quickly expanded into a nationwide organisation.

The nationalist movement came to be dominated by the People's United Party (PUP) from the 1950s onwards, which led the country to independence in 1981. The PUP was formed in 1950 as a political party against colonialism and towards political and economic independence. The group was led by Leigh Richardson, George Cadle Price, and Philip Goldson, who travelled throughout the country, trying to unite people to fight for their rights and the country's independence. They educated people about the problems of colonialism and how the poor living conditions were caused by the system of exploitation.

In 1952, George Price was named head of the GWU, and returning leaders Richardson and Goldson called for a "Crusade against Colonialism". In October 1952, workers at a Stann Creek citrus factory went on strike and were joined by their colleagues in other companies. The PUP supported the striking workers, and a national strike to protest against the economic conditions was called. The strike lasted for 49 days, during which the BEC shut down its sawmill, leaving 268 workers jobless. The strike was met with violence and several people were arrested, but by December, some workers returned to their jobs and the GWU called off the strike. Despite the non-compliance of the BEC, the leaders felt that the strike was a success as it showed that working-class solidarity gave workers power. The strike also placed the PUP in the public domain as a party for working people, and membership in the GWU (and support for the PUP) rose dramatically.

The PUP also emphasised the need for change in the colonial political system and demanded political power for the people, which required constitutional change. They fought for universal adult suffrage, but some in the country ("loyalists") felt threatened by any change to the system. Loyalists were those in the "middle class", such as traders and civil servants, who benefited from the colonial system. They argued against adult suffrage, suggesting that the colony was too underdeveloped and its people too illiterate to have the right to vote.

The political struggle was long and, at times, violent. Due to such violence, the government declared a state of emergency which lasted 137 days. The poor economic and social conditions of many people living in Belize in the 1950s encouraged them to think about self-government and independence, thus strengthening the nationalist movement. After years of political struggle, Universal adult suffrage was won in 1954 by the PUP with the support of the people. On 28 April 1954, the first general elections were held, and the PUP won eight of the nine elected seats and 67% of the vote.

The Governor's controversial decision

In 1949, the Governor of British Honduras made a controversial decision to devalue the British Honduran dollar, which upset many people. This decision was made without the knowledge of the Legislative Council and was seen as a reflection of the limits of the legislature's power. The devaluation hurt both the rich and the poor, affecting even wealthy merchants like Henry Melhado, Guy Nord, and Robert Sydney Turton. As a result, some began to support the growing nationalist movement and the formation of the first political party in Belize.

The devaluation of the currency was particularly damaging to the working class, as it protected the interests of large transnational companies while subjecting the working class to higher prices for goods. This united the trade union and Creole middle class, who formed a group called the People's Committee to demand changes to the constitution. The People's Committee soon became a campaign against the entire colonial system and, on September 29, 1950, it evolved into the People's United Party (PUP). The PUP became the leading political party for the next 30 years and played a crucial role in Belize's journey towards independence.

The formation of the PUP marked a significant turning point in Belize's history, as it united people from different backgrounds in their quest for political and economic independence. The party's leaders, including Leigh Richardson, George Cadle Price, and Philip Goldson, travelled throughout the country, educating people about the problems of colonialism and the need for change. They faced opposition from those who benefited from the colonial system, known as "loyalists," who argued that the colony was too underdeveloped and its people too illiterate for universal suffrage. Despite this resistance, the PUP persevered, and their efforts eventually led to the introduction of universal adult suffrage in 1954, marking a significant victory for the nationalist movement.

The Governor's decision to devalue the currency, therefore, had far-reaching consequences, sparking a chain of events that ultimately contributed to the end of colonial rule and the birth of an independent Belize.

The rise of trade unions

The labour agitation of the 1930s also resulted in significant labour reforms in the following decade. Trade unions were legalised in 1941, and in 1943, breach-of-labour-contract was removed from the criminal code, empowering workers to pursue improvements in their working conditions. The General Workers' Union (GWU) was also registered in 1943 and quickly expanded across the country.

The GWU played a crucial role in the formation of the People's United Party (PUP) in 1950, which became the leading force in the movement for Belize's independence. The GWU and the PUP worked together to organise strikes and demonstrations, demanding better economic conditions and political rights for the people of Belize.

The struggle for universal suffrage was a significant aspect of the trade union movement in Belize. Despite opposition from those benefiting from the colonial system, the PUP and the GWU persevered, and in 1954, they achieved universal adult suffrage. This victory marked a turning point in the push for self-governance and independence, with the PUP winning a majority in the first general elections held under the new voting rights.

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