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Questions and Answers
What was the name of the first written constitution introduced in the Bahamas?
What was the name of the first written constitution introduced in the Bahamas?
What was the main role of the British Governor in the 1964 constitution?
What was the main role of the British Governor in the 1964 constitution?
What replaced the old Executive Council in the 1964 constitution?
What replaced the old Executive Council in the 1964 constitution?
What was the name of the leader of the majority party in the House of Assembly in the 1964 constitution?
What was the name of the leader of the majority party in the House of Assembly in the 1964 constitution?
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What was the main change to the Senate in the 1969 constitution?
What was the main change to the Senate in the 1969 constitution?
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What was the significance of December 20, 1972?
What was the significance of December 20, 1972?
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What was the main change to the Bahamas' status in the 1973 constitution?
What was the main change to the Bahamas' status in the 1973 constitution?
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What was the role of the Queen in the 1973 constitution?
What was the role of the Queen in the 1973 constitution?
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What replaced the Legislative Council in the 1964 constitution?
What replaced the Legislative Council in the 1964 constitution?
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How long could the Senate delay laws in the 1964 constitution?
How long could the Senate delay laws in the 1964 constitution?
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Study Notes
Constitutional Changes in The Bahamas
1964 Constitution
- 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
1969 Constitution
- 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
1973 Constitution
- 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
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Description
Learn about the evolution of the Bahamas' constitution, from the Articles and orders of the Eleutheran Adventurers to the 1964 changes that granted Bahamians full control over internal affairs.
