MINISTRY OF EDUCATION SECONDARY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMME GRADE SEVEN (7) SOCIAL STUDIES WEEK FIVE LESSON TWO (2) Topic: A Glimpse of Our History. Sub-Topic: Independence and Republican Status. (Cont’d) OBJECTIVES: Students will: Define the terms ‘Independent’ and ‘Republic’ Explain the difference between being Independent and being a Republic Explain how these changes affected the lives of Guyanese. CONCEPT A number of constitutional changes followed Independence. The country (then British Guiana) was re-named Guyana and now had a number of National Symbols. It was agreed at the Independence Conference in 1965 that two (2) years after Independence, Guyana could obtain Republican Status, once a motion was introduced in Parliament by the Prime Minister and supported by a majority of elected members. In August 1969, Mr. Burnham moved a motion in the National Assembly, the relevant motion to change the constitutional status of the country to a Republic. This status was granted and the country became a Republic on 23rd February 1970. Mr. Arthur Chung was named President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana. INDEPENDENT GUYANA On 26th May 1966 British Guiana gained its independence. The name of the country was changed from British Guiana to Guyana. The Head of Government was the Prime Minister of Guyana. 53 MINISTRY OF EDUCATION SECONDARY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMME GRADE SEVEN (7) SOCIAL STUDIES Guyana was given a new Constitution. National Symbols included: o A National Flag. o A National Anthem. o National Songs. o A Coat of Arms. o A National Pledge. o Guyanese Currency. o Guyanese Postage and Revenue Stamps. o National Flower THE REPUBLIC OF GUYANA Four (4) years after the independence of Guyana the country was given Republican status. A Governor General represents the monarch in an Independent country. In a Republic the President is the Head of State. The country is in complete control of its internal and international affairs. This meant that Guyana was not only free as a nation but also free to have a Government that was not influenced by a mother country; hence the state was being ruled by representatives of the citizen body. On 23rd February 1970 the country became the Co-operative Republic of Guyana. The Head of State was no longer the representative of the Queen but the President of the Co- operative Republic of Guyana. The first President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana was Mr. Arthur Chung. By 1980 in accordance with the New Constitution the President was not only the Head of State and Head of Government but he was also designated Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. 54 MINISTRY OF EDUCATION SECONDARY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMME GRADE SEVEN (7) SOCIAL STUDIES ACTIVITY Read and answer the following questions: 1. What is the difference between being Independent and being a Republic? 2. What changes did Independence and Republican status bring to Guyana? 3. How do you think these changes affected the lives of Guyanese? HOME WORK Write a profile on one person who contributed to Guyana's political development. References Ministry of Education Social Studies teacher’s guide level 7 Ministry of Education Social Studies Curriculum guide page 5 New Horizon in Social Studies book 1pages 32 and 33 55 .