Before occurrence of Europeans in territory of modern Gyana there lived Indians, ancestors of modern tribes uarrau, uajka, guaharibo, attending to hunting, fishery and collecting. In 1499 gvianskoe the coast was openly Spanish conquistador Alonso de Ohedoj, in 1500 on coast V.J.Pinson has landed. In 16 centuries Europeans have more actively become interested in Guiana, hoping to find out here the fantastic country of gold Eldorado. Attempt of Spaniards to base in 1530 settlement has met fierce resistance of Indians. Could not find out legendary riches and English expedition Uoltera Reli (1595). The first European settlement have based in 1581 Dutches on the bank of the river Pomerun. In the end 1590 they have mortgaged a fort on island in the river Essequibo mouth, become by a colonisation strong point. In 1621 Dutch Vest-Indsky company has acquired the right to development of a significant part of territory of present Gyana. Englishmen tried to resist to Dutches, but in 1667 English settlements in territory of present Gyana have been seized by Holland. To 1773 here there were three Dutch colonies Essequibo, Demerara and Berbis.
Colonizers have broken sugar cane plantations, have mortgaged mines and began to import into the country of the African slaves. Severe operation has resulted in 1763 in large revolt of slaves led by Kaffi; it managed to be suppressed only to the armies thrown from West Indies. In 1781, during war of North American colonies for independence, Englishmen have seized the Dutch colonies, in 1782 Frenchmen have based a fort in the river Demerara mouth, given rise to settlement Lonshan. In 1783 territory of colonies it has been returned Dutches. They have renamed Lonshan in Stabruk and have made its centre of colony Demerara. In 17961802 Dutch colonies in Gyana have been again seized by Englishmen, then are returned former holders, but already in 1803 the Great Britain that has been fixed by peace treaties 1814 again have passed. Englishmen have renamed Stabruk into Georgetown (1812), and in 1831 have united three colonies in one the British Guiana.
First time an economy basis there was a slave labour. It was widely used on extending sugar plantations, building of dams, realisation of drying jobs and creation of irrigational systems. In 1834 slavery it has been cancelled. The former slaves left a countryside and moved in cities. To fill manpower tightness in agriculture, the colonial authorities have started to import into the country of the Portuguese (1835), Indian (1838) and Chinese workers. In 1880 began to arise and the first farms of Indians.
In 1886 between the Great Britain, on the one hand, the diplomatic conflict of borders of the British Guiana has arisen Brazil and Venezuela, with other. At diplomatic intermediary of the USA the conflict has been settled to 1899 in favour of the Great Britain.
The colony coped the governor at whom with 1891 the political body including officers and the several members selected an electoral college operated. But the urban population consisting of the Afro-Americans and Portugueses, achieved realisation of reforms. Necessity of improvement of a financial position has induced the British authorities to create in the British Guiana in 1928 Legislative Council which part was selected the population. In 1938, after excitements in the British colonies in West Indies, the royal commission led by lord Mojnom recommended to confer the big authorities of local authorities. In 1943 the rights elective have been increased, and in 1945 suffrages of citizens are expanded.
Struggle for self-management and social reforms have headed Advice of trade unions (1941) and Committee on the political cases, created in 1946 young doctor Cheddi Dzhaganom. He has achieved successes on elections 1947. Into 1953 British power have been compelled to enter in Guiana the general suffrage and the new constitution according to which there was a responsible cabinet. Created Dzhaganom the National progressive consignment (NPP) has won on elections 1953, and the party leader has headed the government which has required expansion of self-management. In the answer the British authorities have suspended the constitution, have entered into an army colony, have dismissed the government and parliament. In 1956 the new constitution which curtailed the rights of elective bodies has been confirmed and put the government under the control of the governor. However in 1957 NPP again has won elections, having advanced the National national congress which has broken away from it (NNK), and Dzhagan has generated the country government.
In 1961 British Guiana has achieved complete internal self-management. NNP again has won elections, and Dzhagan has held a post of the prime minister. Its office intended to achieve independence by May, 31st 1962, to limit activity of the foreign companies and to develop the national industry, and also has started to distribute the earth among landless farmers. However plans of declaration of independence have been broken by strike of employees and interethnic excitements in February 1962. Negotiations in London between the British authorities and consignments of the British Guiana have not given results. In April 1963 there were new strikes and collisions between the Afro-Americans and the Indians, terminated after interference of the British armies. The Great Britain has nominated realisation of new election. After new excitements in 1964 British governor-general has taken the power in hand. On parliamentary elections in the December, spent on new (proportional) system, NPP it has appeared in minority, but has refused to recognise results and voting rules. Then the Great Britain has changed the constitution then the governor has displaced Dzhagana from a post of the prime minister and has nominated to this post of leader NNK Lindona Forbsa Bernhema which has generated the coalition government including NNK and Incorporated force. In November 1965 conference in London has approved declaration of independence to the British Guiana.
Independent Gyana proclaimed on May, 26th 1966, became the state led by the British queen. The real power belonged to the government led by Bernhemom. In December it has replaced in the constitution position about possibility of the British interference in case of extreme situations with the law on national security. A vote have received gajantsy, living abroad. Having won on elections 1968, NNK has generated the one-party government. On February, 23rd 1970 Gyana has been transformed to Cooperative Republic Gyana.
Government Bernhema has proclaimed a rate on construction in the country of a system of co-operative socialism. In 19711976 it has nationalised the enterprises for extraction of bauxites, production of aluminium and the sugar cane cultivation, belonging to the Canadian, North American and British companies. Communications with the Caribbean countries became more active, agreements on economic and scientific and technical cooperation with the USSR and its allies have been signed. Steps under the agrarian question decision were undertaken, wide social programs in the field of public health services and education have been accepted.
Party in power orientation on gajantsev the African origin, authoritative style of board Bernhema and bjurokratizatsija the ruling device aggravated confrontation between NNK and opposition led by NPP. In 1973 NNK has gained the next victory on elections, but NPP has refused to recognise their results and has begun campaign of civil disobedience. Only in 1976, in connection with the governmental policy of nationalisation, NPP declared transition to a policy of "critical support» the governments. In 1980 the new constitution conferring to the president of authority of the head of the state and the government has been accepted. On this post has been selected Bernhem.
From the end 1970 position in economy began to worsen as a result of crumbling of prices on bauxites and sugar. Inflation, restriction of import and a commodity in short supply have led to the strikes suppressed by the government. After death Bernhema in 1985 the new president and leader NNK Hju Desmond Hojt has headed for turning of public sector and wider attraction of foreign investments. In the early nineties the authorities were subject to recommendations of IMF and a development Interbank america. The government declared orientation to market economy and a free enterprise.
In the conditions of accruing economic problems, falling of production of sugar, rice, extraction of bauxites, growth of the external bond debt, reduction of social costs etc. the government has been compelled to go for dialogue with opposition, restoration of a civil freedom and realisation in October of 1992 free choices. A victory on them has gained NPP. Its leader Cheddi Dzhagan became the president of Gyana. After his death in 1997 head of the state its widow Dzhanet Dzhagan is selected. The opposition led by NNK has accused party in power of a juggling of voices that has led to the next internal disorders and destabilization of a political life of the country. In 1999 Dzhanet Dzhagan declared the resignation on a state of health; Minister of Finance Bharatt Dzhagdeo became its successor. During elections 2001 it has been re-elected on this post.
Having come to the power, NPP promised to struggle against poverty, to increase the salary, to make more foodstuff and to increase investments into job creation. It has terminated the former sharp criticism of privatisation and itself has continued this rate. Simultaneously new government intended to carry out more actively to the policy, directed on social needs.
For years of stay at power NPP it was possible to improve a country economic situation some. In 19922003 external bond debt it was reduced in 2 times, inflation in 25 times. New laws have allowed to involve more intensively in the country foreign investments that has led to creation of significant number of jobs. To 2003 minimum level of the salary in public sector has been increased in 7 times, and the number living below poverty level was reduced in more than 2 times. The government encourages programs of maintenance with housing accommodation, has increased a share of expenses for education in the budget with 5 to 17 %, has increased costs for needs of public health services in 9 times and has constructed St. 800 new schools. With 2001 Gyana has directed 225 students for training to Cuba. Authorities and a parliament role have been expanded, measures are taken for maintenance bolshego equality of various ethnic communities of Gyana. A request of Indians to recognise behind them the right to the earth 1999 mass marches on country capital were accompanied by realisation in October.
