Guyana (commonwealth realm)
Encyclopedia
The commonwealth realm of Guyana , known officially simply as Guyana , was a predecessor to the modern-day Republic of Guyana and an independent state that existed between 26 May 1966 and 23 February 1970. It was the last monarchy in South America.
When British rule ended in 1966, Guyana was given independence as a commonwealth realm, in which the state existed until the promulgation of the 1970 constitution. The Republic of Guyana came into existence on 23 February 1970.During the commonwealth realm phase, the British monarch remained head of state
of Guyana, and was represented in Guyana by a governor-general
. The following governors-generals held office in Guyana during the dominion period:
Forbes Burnham
held office as prime minister
(and head of government
) of Guyana during this period.
Following the abolition of the Commonwealth Realm, former Governor-General Sir Edward Luckhoo provisionally became the first President of Guyana.
When British rule ended in 1966, Guyana was given independence as a commonwealth realm, in which the state existed until the promulgation of the 1970 constitution. The Republic of Guyana came into existence on 23 February 1970.During the commonwealth realm phase, the British monarch remained head of state
Head of State
A head of state is the individual that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state. His or her role generally includes legitimizing the state and exercising the political powers, functions, and duties granted to the head of...
of Guyana, and was represented in Guyana by a governor-general
Governor-General
A Governor-General, is a vice-regal person of a monarch in an independent realm or a major colonial circonscription. Depending on the political arrangement of the territory, a Governor General can be a governor of high rank, or a principal governor ranking above "ordinary" governors.- Current uses...
. The following governors-generals held office in Guyana during the dominion period:
- Sir Richard LuytRichard LuytSir Richard Edmonds Luyt, DCM was the colonial Governor of British Guiana in 1964-66. He installed Forbes Burnham of the People's National Congress as premier of a coalition government with a small business-oriented conservative party in 1964; however, the People's Progressive Party came first...
(26 May 1966 -16 December 1966) - Sir David RoseDavid RoseDavid Rose was a British-born American songwriter, composer, arranger, pianist, and orchestra leader. His most famous compositions were "The Stripper", "Holiday for Strings", and "Calypso Melody"...
(16 December 1966- 10 November 1969) - Sir Edward LuckhooEdward LuckhooSir Edward Victor Luckhoo was the Governor General of Guyana from 1966 to 1969 and became its Acting President upon independence. He was knighted on 1 January 1970...
(10 November 1969 - 1 July 1970)
Forbes Burnham
Forbes Burnham
Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham was the leader of Guyana from 1964 until his death, first as Premier from 1964 to 1966, then as the Prime Minister from 1966 to 1980 and finally as President from 1980 to 1985....
held office as prime minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
(and head of government
Head of government
Head of government is the chief officer of the executive branch of a government, often presiding over a cabinet. In a parliamentary system, the head of government is often styled prime minister, chief minister, premier, etc...
) of Guyana during this period.
Following the abolition of the Commonwealth Realm, former Governor-General Sir Edward Luckhoo provisionally became the first President of Guyana.
See also
- Governor-General of Guyana
- British GuianaBritish GuianaBritish Guiana was the name of the British colony on the northern coast of South America, now the independent nation of Guyana.The area was originally settled by the Dutch at the start of the 17th century as the colonies of Essequibo, Demerara, and Berbice...
- Forbes BurnhamForbes BurnhamLinden Forbes Sampson Burnham was the leader of Guyana from 1964 until his death, first as Premier from 1964 to 1966, then as the Prime Minister from 1966 to 1980 and finally as President from 1980 to 1985....
- Elizabeth II
- Edward LuckhooEdward LuckhooSir Edward Victor Luckhoo was the Governor General of Guyana from 1966 to 1969 and became its Acting President upon independence. He was knighted on 1 January 1970...
- David RoseDavid RoseDavid Rose was a British-born American songwriter, composer, arranger, pianist, and orchestra leader. His most famous compositions were "The Stripper", "Holiday for Strings", and "Calypso Melody"...
- Richard LuytRichard LuytSir Richard Edmonds Luyt, DCM was the colonial Governor of British Guiana in 1964-66. He installed Forbes Burnham of the People's National Congress as premier of a coalition government with a small business-oriented conservative party in 1964; however, the People's Progressive Party came first...