Overview of the History of Belize

Belize is a country with a very diverse population that all live together as one. The ancestors of the people presently living here have probably been a remarkable part of the nations history in one way or another. Whether they were British, Maya, Spanish, Mestizo, Creole, or Slaves; they all contributed to what we have today. But in order to fully understand their input, it is important to take a look at the past; specifically, the settlement, colony, crown colony, self-government, and finally, independence.

During the time that Belize was a settlement, the authority and power was in the hands of the Public Meeting. This was a group of rich, British men that formulated the laws and made all economic, social, and political decisions that not only affected them, but the rest of the settlement. The first basic rules of conduct were called the custom of the Bay. This was so, until Sir William Burnaby implemented Burnabys Code that included the custom of the Bay, as well as other detailed specifics. The Public Meeting was later not only made up of rich, white men, but of rich free-colourds; who insisted on membership, claiming their white ancestry and repressing the black. However, this did not sit easily with the whites, but seeing as the colourds later became half the population, they did not have a choice. The colourds pleas were heard by the British crown, and membership was granted; with a few conditions of course.

As the population increased by the arrival of large numbers of Garifuna, seeking a home in Belize, as well as the thousands of Maya and Mestizos running from the war in Yucatan; it was time to officially make Belize a colony. There was also a fear that the war would spread to Belize, as there were complaints of attacks in the North. The settlement petitioned the British crown to be recognized as British, and it was granted; since they had just concluded the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty[footnoteRef:2]. But becoming a colony was not well received by the Maya, who had their own system of governance and politics. Indeed, they were the initial settlers in Belize, and had already resisted the oppression of the Spanish. However, the struggle became unbearable as the Maya were pressed on both sides (the British and the Mexican authorities) with armed forces. The system in place was always about power and exclusion of others; whether it was the slaves, women, blacks or colourds, etc. [2: Clayton-Bulwer Treaty: compromise agreement (signed April 19, 1850) designed to harmonize contending British and U.S. interests in Central America.]

In 1871, Crown Colony status was achieved, as Belize now had a general colonial policy just as the rest of the British Caribbean, and there was a governor with his appointed council. Belize was indeed different in other ways though: the governor did not have reserve powers; meaning the right to enact laws in emergency situations without the consent of the Legislative Council. This did not change until 1932. Also, Britain could not make Belize believe that it needed to be built from scratch like the other islands, so the Mayas were not eliminated; they remained and kept on coming. The Maya also mixed with other races, creating the melting pot we call Belize.

Around the time of World War 2, many countries around the globe were striving for self-government and independence. In Belize, anti-colonialism leaders were struggling to push the idea, but they were confident, as Jamaica had already received self-governance. In the 1950s, there was a determination to create a nation-state; this was called the Nationalist Movement. In the beginning it was the people (especially the working, middle class) and their leaders working together to achieve this common goal. Later, it was solely the leaders fighting against the oppressors. As time went by, the conditions for the working class worsened, as a drought ruined the crops. The persistent decline in the mahogany and chicle trade created even more unemployment. However, the final straw was the devaluation of the dollar; and it was then that the Peoples Committee was formed. The committee later became the Peoples United Party, receiving the same support and encouragement from the people.

Britain had already agreed to give Belize its independence by 1961, but Guatemalas claim on Belize, delayed the process. The Anglo-Spanish treaties of 1783 and 1786 set limits to the settlement, without regard to Guatemala or Yucatan. There was an imaginary line drawn that marked the territory as Belizean. But Guatemala still conflicted with Belize, leading up to the Anglo-Guatemalan treaty of 1859 that turned out to be unsatisfactory to Britain. Prior to this treaty there had been many agreements such as the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation; between Britain and Guatemala, never mentioning Belize; still not solving the situation. The Clayton-Bulwer Treaty stated that the boundary had to be described, but many complications arose thereafter, where no one was satisfied. Many years and many disagreements later, the dispute was taken to the ICJ for judgment, and finally favored Belize thanks to Hon. George Price.

The history of Belize was one of much struggle and perseverance, as has been shown. It was because of strong leaders and united visionary supporters that Belize attained independence. Change in the territory took time and much hard work, but the hope of a better tomorrow with better living and working conditions served as the driving force. Great men such as Price and Soberanis, among others, were the backbone of the operation, because they fought until the very end. Belizes history proved very uneasy, from the time of oppression blacks, to the denial of ancestry by the Creole, to the devaluation of the dollar and campaigning of the PUP, to finally the Guatemalan Dispute. Belizeans have not had wars like other countries, but they have always been fighters; for what they want, for needed change, and for the freedom they know theyve always deserved.