Constitutional Changes in the Bahamas 1964

Questions and Answers

The Articles and Orders of the Eleutheran Adventurers

The Green Paper

The Constitution of Independence

The White Paper (correct)

To appoint members of the Senate

To handle external affairs, defence, and internal security (correct)

To advise the Premier

To preside over the House of Assembly

The House of Assembly

The Senate

The Cabinet (correct)

The Legislative Council

Premier Signup and view all the answers

The Prime Minister was given the power to appoint a majority of its members Signup and view all the answers

The signing of the independence constitution Signup and view all the answers

The Bahamas became a fully independent nation controlling its own affairs Signup and view all the answers

Head of State with no real power to intervene in Bahamian affairs Signup and view all the answers

The Senate Signup and view all the answers

15 months Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduced on January 7, 1964, granting Bahamians full control over internal affairs
British Governor handled external affairs, defence, and internal security
The leader of the majority party in the House of Assembly was called the Premier
The old Executive Council was replaced by a Cabinet to advise the Premier
Members of the Cabinet were called Ministers
The Senate replaced the Legislative Council, consisting of 15 members chosen by the majority, opposition, and Governor
The Senate could only delay laws for 15 months

Amended the 1964 constitution, granting full internal self-government
The country's name was changed to "The Commonwealth of The Bahama Islands"
The Premier was changed to Prime Minister
The makeup of the Senate was changed to reflect the political party winning the most seats in the House of Assembly
The Prime Minister became the most powerful member of the Senate, able to appoint a majority of its members

Signed on December 20, 1972, at a constitutional conference in London
The Bahamas became a fully independent nation, controlling its own affairs both at home and abroad
The Queen was retained as Head of State, but with no real power to intervene in Bahamian affairs
The Queen was represented by a Governor General, chosen by the Prime Minister
The Governor General lost all rights to appoint Senate Members
The government elected by the people was now completely in power
The Bahamas could appoint its own ambassadors to countries abroad
The Bahamas Legislature gained the power to enact laws necessary for the peace, order, and government of the country
Fundamental rights and privileges remained the same as in the 1964 constitution, except discrimination in the private sector was not allowed
The Attorney General, formerly a civil servant, became a member of the House of Assembly and a Cabinet Minister