Home > Forbes Burnham
Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham ( February 20 1923 - August 6 1985) was a Guyanese political leader.Burnham, who was of African descent, was born in Kitty, East Demerara , Guyana. In 1950, he formed a left-wing party, the People's Progressive Party , along with Hindu labor leader Cheddi Jagan. Burnham and Jagan began feuding in 1955, and Burnham formed a more moderate party, the People's National Congress . Jagan's party began winning legislative elections, but came into conflict with British authorities, who changed the constitution so that Burnham could form a coalition government and become Premier of Guyana in 1964. Burnham led his country to independence from Britain and into the commonwealth in 1966. He at first pursued moderate policies, but in 1970, his policies became much more left-wing. He declared Guyana to be a "co-operative republic" and established strong relations with Cuba, the Soviet UnionThe Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR ( Russian: ; tr. Soyuz Sovetskikh Sotsialisticheskikh Respublik (SSSR) also called the Soviet Union ( ; tr. Sovetsky Soyuz , was a state in much of the northern region of Eurasia that existed from 1922 until 1 and other communist countries.
Burnham's policies became more dictatorial during the 1970s. He had a referendum passed in 1978Events January January 1 The Copyright Act of 1976 takes effect, making sweeping changes to United States copyright law. January 1 Air India's Boeing 747 explodes near Bombay 213 dead. January 4 Referendum in Chile supports policies of Augusto Pinochet. which made it harder for his party to lose power, with results which were believed by many to be fraudulent. In 19801980 is a leap year starting on Tuesday. Events January-February January 1- April 1 National steel strike in United Kingdom January 1 Changes to the Swedish Act of Succession creates Victoria of Sweden, Crown Princess over her younger brother January 5 He the constitution was changed to make the position of President stronger, and Burnham abandoned the position of Prime Minister to become President. He won the first Presidential elections in 1980, again with possibly fraudulent results. Burnham also became internationally notable for the JonestownAlternate uses: See Jonestown (disambiguation Jonestown was a town in Guyana established by People's Temple cult leader Jim Jones. It was located about six to eight miles (10 to 12 km) from Port Kaituma (7°44'N 59°53'W). At Jones' directions, the inhabita mass suicide, which occurred in Guyana in 1978, and which some blame partly on Burnham.
Burnham remained President of Guyana until his death. He died suddenly in Georgetown, GuyanaGeorgetown estimated population 75,000 ( 1985), is the capital and largest city of Guyana. It is located on the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Demerara River. Georgetown was originally called Stabroek when the Dutch controlled the region. It was renam.
Burnham also served as Guyana's first foreign ministerA foreign minister is a cabinet minister that helps to form foreign policy for sovereign nations. The Ministry of Foreign (or External) Affairs is often considered to be the most senior ministerial position after Prime Minister, and is often given to the from 1966 to 1972. He was married to Viola Burnham , who was also involved in politics.
Burnham, Forbes
Burnham, Forbes
