 It has not been ratified and is therefore not yet an official part of the Central World Timeline. You are welcome to correct errors and/or comment at the Talk Page of this article. If you add this label to an article, please do not forget to make mention of it on the main Discussion page for the Timeline. |
| |||||||
| Anthem | "God zij met ons Suriname" | ||||||
| Capital | Parmaribo | ||||||
| Largest city | Georgetown | ||||||
| Other cities | Cayenne | ||||||
| Language official |
Dutch, English, French | ||||||
| others | Sranan, Tongo, Creole | ||||||
| Government | Presidential Republic | ||||||
| President | |||||||
| Vice President | |||||||
| Area | 462,355 km² | ||||||
| Independence | from Germany | ||||||
| declared | November 25th 1975 | ||||||
| recognized | July 16th 1979 | ||||||
| Currency | Surinamese Dollar | ||||||
Suriname (Republic of Suriname) is a country in northern South America. It is bordered on the south by Brazil and on the east by Venezuela, and on the north by the Pacific Ocean.
History[]
Colonial Period (1683 - 1917)[]
In 1683, Dutch Guiana was founded by the city of Amsterdam, the Van Aerssen van Sommelsdijck family, and the Dutch West India Company. The goals of these settlements were to found and find coffee, cocoa, sugarcane and cotton plantations along the rivers in the area. Most of these settlements we're run by African American slaves, who were brought in through the West Africa slave trade. However, over a span of years, African slaves would run away into the forest to create a new type of culture, the one that would power Suriname for centuries to come.
However, after many years of lost slaves throughout the rain forest, Suriname abolished slavery with the approval of the Netherlands in 1863. Over then next ten years, slaves would've been given more rights and less hard labor, until they were free.
Men who usually failed in the East Indies were encouraged to move to Suriname, as it would help them lead a nice relaxing life as foresters/farmers. Men and Women, advised by the Dutch royal family, were moving there, and gradually increasing the ethnicity and population.
Call From Europe (1917 - 1937)[]
After the war, Suriname continued it's stable and populous increase, as well as increased more trade ships from the loss of key islands in the Pacific. However, (INSERT HERE) announced that in order to protect the final Dutch colony from obliteration, there would be a large influx of money going toward defense for Suriname. As well a battleship to protect itself from any future attackers.
Second World War (1937 - 1945)[]
When the Second Global War came about, Suriname surved as a haven for protection against war, almost 3,000 refugees came every year to find shelter and escape the European War. However, as the war grew longer and more refugees poured in, it became harder to feed and sustain the growing population.
During 1941, the Netherlands were conquered by the Axis Power Germany, leaving the provisional colonial government no food imports, leaving a problem for the colony. However, the government was able to get food from neighboring Brazil, and was able to sustain the population for about another three years. Around then came a larger problem - to feed the population and refugees who are coming in. The problem was that the people were already rationing their foods half of what they usually are, so more immigrants that came in - less food. Eventually the problem was solved over the duration of time as the war ended before the crisis got out of hand.
However, when the war finished, the original government did not exist anymore. instead, a Pro-German puppet state took its place. The government, literally starting to starve, pledges it's allegiance to the new German puppet state, hoping to get enough food to sustain he population
New Boss (1945 - 1946)[]
As compensation to leave the Netherlands alone after the Second Global War, the Dutch offered Germany Suriname, The Germans, decided to get rid of the colonial government there and to set up a German friendly nation in South America to influence more nations to their side during the Cold War. The French and British also offered similar offers to take the colonial governments in South America, and so the Germans also realized that they could build a military base down there to establish a strong presence in South America, and so, the Germans agreed.
Within the couple weeks after the offer was accepted the colonial governor was replaced with (INSERT NAME HERE) to govern over them. (BLANK) was a commander in the Second World War, and was ruthless on the Germans standings in the world landscape.
(BLANK), as well as his advisers, decided to build the largest military fort in South America - Fort Guyana. The fort had enough room to hold up to 5000 people at a time, and up to 31 U-boats in a dock.
Dark Days (1946 - 1976)[]
However, not all were happy with this deal. The people of Suriname, Guyana, and "French" Guyana, were outraged to hear that they were basically sold to the Germans. However, the German government wasn't finished. Every year, the Germans would take 2 tributes away from each colony to keep the colony in line. However this practice was stopped in 1956 by the Organization of Nations, calling the practice "inhumane and wrong".
By 1950, the German government started to enforce their cruelty. People were overworked, stabbed, or shot for no apparent reason. Former citizens called it "living hell" to even be there. Resistances and militias were formed to get the Germans out of the Guyanas most of them backed by the United States government. One of the most famous militias in the Guyanas were the F.S.D.G. The F.S.D.G was funded by American opposition, claiming that "people don't deserve to live under this regime."
By 1965, the militia was planning the infamous V-E day bombs. The bombings, targeted at the governor and military bases, were made with propane, gasoline, and a pressure cooker. The bombs, which blew up and killed 4 - a German commander, 2 soldiers, and a civilian - injured the governor, who was rushed to the nearest hospital immeatly.
The very next day, troops from Germany set off towards Suriname. These troops were sent in to increase their intensity of punishment and to keep groups like F.S.D.G under control.
Republic[]
After the military coup in the capital, supported by majoritly Brazil, Independence is declared from the Germans. (NAME) states "we have been living in fear all of our lives, drawn down by the terrible mother we call Germany. But now, we can make our own choices - and it's your decision which could affect the future." Air strikes by the entire German military are targeted at rebel bases, as the rebels struggle to survive. However, with almost 1/2 of the Brazilian army, push the Germans out of Suriname.
Today, Suriname has the 6th highest GDP of South America.
Government & Politics[]
Suriname is a presidential representative democratic republic with a multi-party system. Under the Suriname constitution, the President is the head of state and government; the candidate is elected for four years and can only seek re-election only once. The President designates the Vice Presedent and, with his advice, the rest of the Senate to vote or pass laws. There is a Congress with 75 members elected for a five-year term
Administrative divisions[]
Suriname is divided into 3 Provinces and those are divided into 5 Districts. Each region has an elected governor who represents themselves to the government. These governors usually plan regional development, create public projects, promote small businesses, and manage property.
Culture[]
Suriname culture is a range of Native to African type of music, where no two places are the same. Traditional Samba music is popular throughout the nation as a whole,
Footnotes[]
| |||||
