Monarch. Appointed by the Crown/Monarch. Council All appointed by the

Transcription

1 GOVERNMENT SYSTEMS

2 Vocabulary Suffrage: the right to vote in general elections Stipulation: requirement Allegiance: loyalty or commitment to a subordinate or superior Passion: very strong emotion Campaign: work in an organised way to achieve a goal Complacent: satisfied with yourself in a very smug way Accessible: able to be reached Franchise: the right to vote

3 Vocabulary Cite: quote as evidence for an argument Electorate: all those who have the right to vote Constitution: the laws by which a country or state is governed Limited: subject to barriers which prevent access by all persons Legislature: the law-making body of a state Manifesto: a document produced by members of a political party outlining how they would govern the country if they are successful in an election

4 Old Representative System 1600s Monarch Crown Colony Government 1802 Monarch Representative Government 1925 Monarch Appointed by the Crown/Monarch Appointed by the Crown/Monarch Appointed by the Crown/Monarch Council Chosen by the Assembly Elected from among the white planters and merchants Council All appointed by the Assembly abolished! Legislative Council 6 appointed members 7 elected members 12 ex-officio members Now allowed to elect some members to the Legislative Council

5 Premier 1959 Internal Self-Government Independence: s role split into Head of State and Head of Government 1962 Constitutional Monarchy Chief Minister 1956 Representative Government

6 All ties to England cut; T&T now a sovereign nation. President replaces -General and Monarch as Head of State. Republic (1976)

7 COMPARISONS

8 Systems of Government in Trinidad and Tobago Crown Colony Government (1802) Constitutional Monarchy Independence (1962)

9 Systems of Government in Trinidad and Tobago Constitutional Monarchy Independence (1962) Republic (1976)

10 Systems of Government in Trinidad and Tobago Crown Colony Government (1802) Constitutional Monarchy Independence (1962) Republic (1976)

11 THE HISTORY

12 1660s: Old Representative System The first form of government used by Britain to rule the colonies was the Old Representative System. The problem with this system was that the Assembly acted in their own interests and ignored the wishes of the Colonial Office in England. The Assembly was a law unto themselves. Monarch Appointed by the Crown/Monarch Council Chosen by the Assembly Elected from among the white planters and merchants

13 1800s: Crown Colony Government A decision was taken to change the system of government for the colonies. Crown Colony Government was introduced in which the Assembly was removed. Under this system the Colonial Office in England had more control over the colonies. Citizens did not have the right to elect representatives to the government. Monarch Appointed by the Crown/Monarch Council Chosen by the

14 Representative Government (slide 1 of 3) In 1922 the Wood Commission recommended constitutional reform (citizens should be allowed to elect at least some members to the Legislative Council). The local population was granted the opportunity to elect 7 members to the Legislative Council (7/26) At this time there were no political parties; only individuals campaigned.

15 1925: Representative Government (slide 2 of 3) In the 1925 election the introduced LIMITED FRANCHISE. Persons wishing to vote had to meet certain stipulations/requirements: Men had to be over 21 years of age Women had to be over 30 years of age Understand/speak English Must earn high income or own property of a certain value 90% of the population was disqualified from voting!

16 1925: Representative Government (slide 3 of 3) still controlled the government! 27,794 voted out of 365,913 total population Monarch Appointed by the Crown/Monarch 90% of the population was disqualified from voting! Legislative Council 6 appointed members 7 elected members 12 ex-officio members

17 Large-scale protests because 90% disqualified from voting During the 1930s T&T was in an economic depression: Widespread unemployment Low wages Malnutrition Poor housing Poverty Larger number of Africans and East Indians were now more educated and aware of their rights War veterans returned from war bringing ideas of selfgovernance and independence High taxes Development of Trade Unionism after the Oilfield Workers Strikes of 1937 led by Butler THERE WAS URGENT NEED FOR POLITICAL REFORM

18 Granting of Adult Suffrage 1934: Trinidad Labour Party formed by Captain Cipriani 1936: Trinidad Citizens League formed by Uriah Butler 1939: Moyne Commission recommended lowering of the voting stipulations 1945: Adult Suffrage granted. All adult citizens over the age of 21 were granted the right to vote. All other requirements were removed. 1946: 1 st election with Adult Suffrage was held. 9 people elected to LC Formation of more political parties 1950: 18 people elected to LC from different parties / none dominant

19 1956: Introduction of Chief Minister LC = 31 members: 24 elected 5 nominated by governor 2 ex-officio) Party system more organised PNM Majority (13/24 of elected LC members) NB: in 1956 provision was made for election of a Chief Minister and other Ministers by the members of the Council Monarch Appointed by the Crown/Monarch Legislative Council Chief Minister: Dr. Eric Williams

20 1959: Internal Self-Government Cabinet government introduced Monarch No longer member of the Executive Council Premier Dr. Eric Williams Cabinet Premier now had the right to appoint the Ministers

21 Queen was still the Head of State but she was represented by a -General, Sir Solomon Hochoy (limited powers) Real power lay with the elected representatives in Parliament Gov t had full control of the country s affairs without interference from Britain Own constitution Own national flag/motto/emblems etc Own army 1962: Independence Constitutional Monarchy

22 LEGISLATURE EXECUTIVE 1976: Republic No more or -General Head of State now the President, Sir Ellis Clarke New Republican Constitution written T&T now a Sovereign State President Head of State Prime Minister Head of Government Cabinet Ministers selected from the Upper and Lower House Parliament Senate House of Representatives

23 1976: Republic Crown Colony Government 1802 Citizens did not have the right to vote 1962: Independence (Prime Minister + Parliament) 1959: Internal Self-Government (Premier appoints Cabinet Ministers) 1956: Chief Minister (24/31 elected members) 1922 Wood Commission: Constitutional Reform Locals granted right to elect 7 members to the Legislative Council however those qualified to vote: - Men over 21 - Women over 30 - Understand English -High income / own property Limited franchise! People s National Movement (PNM) became the ruling party from election: 90% of the population disqualified from voting FRUSTRATION & PROTEST ACTION Masses wanted local representation: High taxes Increased accessibility to education made people more aware of their rights Returning war veterans brought ideas of self-governance and independence Increasing numbers of Africans and East Indians wanted equality 1934: Trinidad Labour Party (TLP) First Political Party in T&T (Captain A.A. Cipriani) 1936: Trinidad Citizen s League (TCL) Adrian Cola Rienzi and Tubal Uriah Butler July 1, 1946: first election with adult suffrage! Adult suffrage (1945): all adult citizens over the age of 21 given right to vote! Moyne Commission (1939) recommended lowering of the stipulations used to determine the electorate