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Belize History
in Brief ....
 Numerous
ruins indicate that for hundreds of years Belize
was heavily populated by around one million Maya, whose
relatively advanced civilization reached its height between
AD. 250 and 900. Today a small population still exists
in Belize, predominantly in Toledo, the southern-most district.
The first reference to European settlement in the colony was in 1638.
British logwood cutters, known as the Baymen, were the first Europeans
to settle in the area. The Baymen were dependent on slave labor for their
logwood operations. Logwood was used to produce purple and red dyes.
These early settlements were
subjected to attacks from neighboring Spanish settlements for
the next 150 years. It was not until 1763 that Spain,
in the Treaty of Paris, allowed British settlers to engage
in the logwood industry. But Spanish attacks continued until
a decisive victory was won by settlers, with British naval
support, in the Battle of St. George's Caye in 1798. After
that, British control over the settlement gradually increased.
Constitutional advances
came in 1834 with the emancipation of slaves.
In 1871 British Honduras was formally declared a British
Colony and the Crown Colony System of Government implemented.
In 1954 came the introduction of Universal Adult
Suffrage and an elected majority in the legislature. The Ministerial
System was adopted in 1961, leading to Self Government in 1964.
In 1973 Belize changed it's name from British Honduras
to Belize.
Belize achieved full
independence
on September 21, 1981. Belize is now a member of the Commonwealth, the
United Nations, OAS and the Association of Caribbean States.
More about Belize
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Visit Belize as part of a
Rainforest, Ruins & Reef Vacation Package
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