• Plantation agriculture or large-scale agriculture formed the economic basis of Suriname in the 17th century.
• Large investments in sugar production were profitable.
• The Amsterdam stock market crash in 1773 led to over-cultivation of plantations and exploitation of slaves.
• The rise of the Industrial Revolution introduced cheap mass production, worsening the competitive position of Suriname's planters.
• The abolition of the slave trade in 1808 exacerbated the economic situation on plantations due to a lack of money to import slaves, leading to a larger slave shortage.
• Machines were not updated, resulting in further decline of the plantations.
• The rise of beet sugar and Suriname's inability to compete in the world market contributed to the decline of plantations.
• Abolition of slavery, influenced by absenteeism, the English Christian movement, and poor investment deter plantation agriculture.

Attempts at Diversification (1863-1940)

• Besides plantation agriculture, sectors such as small-scale agriculture, mining (gold), and forestry (balata and wood) emerged.
• Diversification after 1863 aimed to address the decline of plantation agriculture and meet the growing demand for other products.
• Fluctuating world market prices also encouraged diversification.
• Diversification achieved partial success but did not ensure prosperity in Suriname, as dependence on foreign countries persisted, and income flowed to the Netherlands.
• The Dutch government was unwilling to make significant investments in Suriname.
• Diversification was beneficial to the Netherlands, creating employment and generating more income.
• Diversification strengthened Suriname's position as a raw material supplier due to the influence of the global market
• Hindustanis and Javanese contributed to small-scale agriculture in Suriname after the contract period, mainly producing for the domestic market.
• During World War II, large-scale agriculture declined because of the severed connection with the Netherlands and falling prices due to the rise of bauxite.
• Small-scale agriculture, employing freed and contract workers, faced difficulties due to a lack of capital, credit facilities, land, and transportation.
• Production focused on self-sufficiency, local markets, and exports.

Gold Exploitation

• Gold exploitation did not substantially contribute to Suriname's economic development by the end of the 19th century.
• The colonial government's stance on concessions and the Dutch government's control over concession sizes hindered development.
• Unfavorable tax measures were implemented.
• Governor Van Sypenstijn is considered the father of Suriname's gold industry.
• Van Sypenstijn aimed to make the colony financially independent from the Netherlands, integrate forest dwellers and Indians into colonial society, and create employment for Creole plantation labor.
• Gold mining was primarily carried out by Creole laborers due to restrictions on contract workers; the gold industry feared labor shortages on plantations

Efforts to make the gold Industry a success

• Organized an exploratory expedition
• Authorized private individuals to conduct further investigations
• Cleared trails through the forest (1876-1878)

Later Efforts at Diversification

• The Lawa railway line was constructed to transport gold from the remote interior more quickly.
• The decline of balata was due to the rise of rubber, fluctuating international market prices, poor management, and over-exploitation.

Post-World War II Period

• Development aid, or tied aid, contributed to Suriname's neo-colonial position, where Dutch interference persisted and projects were approved by the Netherlands.

Plans for the Improvement of Suriname

• "Welvaartsfonds" (Prosperity Fund) (1947-1954): The Netherlands provided financial aid (40 million guilders) after WWII to establish a new socio-economic foundation for Suriname.
• Development aid was intended to stimulate economic resources, improve social conditions, finance a wide range of projects, build up the economy, and create employment.
• Economic projects included the establishment of the People's Credit Bank, SML (Foundation for Mechanical Agriculture), and the Wageningen project.
• Social projects included the Foundation for Public Housing.
• The Prosperity Fund only somewhat achieved its goals because the funds were too heavily invested in infrastructure to attract foreign investors.
• "Tienjarenplan" (Ten-Year Plan) (1955-1965): Amed to develop Suriname socially and economically.
• Economic projects involved setting up a milk processing plant and a juice factory.
• Social projects focused on building schools, houses, and boarding schools.
• During the ten-year plan, the government limited itself to private sector investments.
• A lack of economic self-sufficiency, a focus on the industrial sector, delayed government intervention, and unsuccessful projects limited the plan.
• Expansion of the East-West connection and the North-South connection between Pardens and Afobaka occurred during the "tienjarenplan."
• The Brokopondo Agreement was also crucial during this period.
• Suriname benefited from an influx of foreign currency, job creation, and energy development(10%).
• Areas becoming submerged was a disadvantage for Suriname.
• Suralco benefited from 90% energy and favorable tax advantages.
• Suralco closed due to the depletion of the concession area, investment in the Bakhuis area, and the recognition that international trends are ultimately unprofitable.
• Though it is important for Suriname to take over Afobaka dam, the country lacks the knowledge and financial resources to maintain it.

Five-Year Plans (1967-1977)

• Diversification of Suriname's economy was prioritized, including new investments in agriculture (banana cultivation, palm oil), forestry, industrial development, and infrastructure.
• First Five-Year Plan (1967-1972)
• Invested in primary sectors that included agriculture (rice, bananas), fishing, forestry (timber), and mining (bauxite)
• Second Five-Year Plan (1972-1977)
• Import substitution industry was pursued through Joint ventures
• A significant enhancement of the infrastructure, job creation, and rising government revenue, were the positive outcomes of the ten-year plan periods.
• Foreign investment failed to meet expectations

2nd Five Year Plan

• Large sums of money were invested in the agricultural sector, forestry, and geographic research.
• "Vijfjarenplannen" (Five-Year Plans) were created by the planning office >Dr. Ir. Frank Essed.
• Baboenhol cattle farming and Victoria oil palm enterprise were part of this development effort.

Characteristics of Suriname’s Economy

• Import economy
• A lopsided economy with an emphasis on mining and poor industrial development.
• During the colonial era, the Netherlands did not work to further industrial development in Suriname
• Raw materials needed to be exported from the nation itself.
• Foreign experts handled planning and execution of development initiatives, influencing the nation even after independence.
• Foreign relations remained tied to the Dutch

Multi-Year Development Plan (1975-1990)

• Most activities happened in West Suriname

Goals of MOP

• Spread activities throughout the country as most activities were concentrated in Paramaribo
• Used regional distribution in MOP
• Apoera would become a 2nd city
• Establish a bauxite industry
• Create good conditions for private enterprises and encourage foreign businesses to invest
• Resource-based industries were heavily invested in
• resource-based industry uses domestic raw materials and processes them into finished products
• Example Staatsolie, Grascalco

West Suriname Project failed because

• Foreign investment remained low
• Little contribution by the Surinamese government
• Global bauxite prices decreased.
• Too much investment went into infrastructure
• Bauxite is no longer important to Suriname
• Increased economic value of Staatsolie
• Reduced bauxite income
• Suralco ended its activity in Suriname
• The December Murders in 1982 caused MOP to end
• Upon independence, Ned. Development Aid oversight was trusted to the Commission for the Collaboration and Development between Suriname and the Netherlands(CONS)

Political Development in Suriname

• 1665-1667: Second Anglo-Dutch War: The Netherlands rose to power in 1667
• West India Company was given a patent in 1682
• The highest ranking rank in the colony was Governor
• A council of ten people existed
• The patent regulated the relationship between colony and mother nation
• Plantocracy: Political leaders were lawmakers and executives who issued court rulings on criminal and other matters

Raad van Politie (police council)

• Raad van Politie/ political court 1683-1816(10 members)
• Supreme court 1816-1866( advisory college of the governor) 1816 restructuring
• Suriname fell into Dutch hands officially as a colony
• Criminal court/court with 9 members and justices existed
• The administrative power was controlled by the general Governor
• The Governor’s power was large
• Members of The council were subservient to his rule
• Government in Suriname, from 1683-1795
• Administrative Power > Governor
• Legislative Power> Governor and political council
• Judiciary Power> Political council (courthouse)
• 1823 restructuring of government
• A Colonial Council was put into place
• by 1865 they had the role of advisors
• Until 1863 Suriname’s main focus was to produce for Europe

Economic power lay in the hands of Plantation owners

• Koloniale Staten (colonial states) from 1866-1937
• Only men who were wealthy and paid a certain amount of taxes were allowed to vote
• the governor had a very large amount of influence on the college
• The governor selected members of the 4 out of 13
• The governor had the right to block the changes, call a close, or announce an emergency meeting
• 1901: Abolishment of the assigned power
• 1937: The assigned power was restored
• 1901-1936: all 13 members were voted in through census voting

Characteristics of colonial states

• Right to amendments
• Right of interpellation
• Right of initiate
• Budget right -1937- new governments _ The name of Colonial territories were changed to States of Suriname(1937-1974)
• The number of members was changed to15> five being assigned by the governor and 10 being chosen through census _ 1974 constitution (only men with certain schooling could vote)
• The constitution of 1937 increased power, because -> The assigned power was restored -> Conflict regulation 1948: new state structure

All people could vote (men and women)

• of members was changed to 21

Assimilation politics

• Time: after 1863
• Goal: Align to Dutch culture through: ->Language (Dutch) ->Religion; banning of Watranama -> Legislation; implementing mandatory schooling

Anti- Assimilation Politics

• Time: after 1937
• Goal: stress the unique so there cannot be unity through: ->Asian marriage legislation ->Implementing village societies -> Est. Dessa schools
• 1, 2, and 3 were the reasons for conflict between Suriname States and Kielstra
• until 1863, there were no official cultural activities
• Dutch thought Surinamese were cultureless
• After 1863, assimilation politics were promoted

Politik Van Verindisching

• Politician Kielstra wanted to make districts “Asian lands” where the Hindustani and Javanese would feel at home

State Regeling Of 1937

• The Governor was equipped with special powers in order to achieve these goals Stange press control
• the right to join communities and meetings became limited
• States of Suriname: 5 are chosen by the governor and 10 are chosen by voting
• Reasons Suriname wanted autonomie

1. The radio promise of 1942
2. The budget shut down
3. Acknowledgement of self rule and self determination

Autonomie

• Being independent on a political government area
• defense, foreign affairs, and international issues remained a dutch matter
• 1948 government changes -> General right to vote -> The number of state members grew -> a Surinamese government came to be -> Political leadership according to party lines
• Ethnic Religious parties: -> NPS> protestant Creoles -> PSV> catholic Creoles -> VHP> Hindostani -> KTPI> Javanen
• Kingdom union -> On December 29, 1954 the statue of the Kingdom of Netherlands was announced -> The Netherlands gained power over “equal” partners, as defense, foreign government, and nationality issues were royal matters

Koninklijks Government

-> Dutch Cabinet added with ministers by Suriname and Dutch Antilles

• Why Suriname accepted the Statue in the Round Table -> Surinamese politicians thought they were financially and economically weak to stand alone -> Main political parties were not anti Netherland -> The main nationalism was too weak to overcome ties with Netherlands
• Soveriegn Nation -> PNR (nation party of the republic) was the main force to achieving Independence -> Many members created National Movement Suriname which led to political party

Reasons for Suriname Independence

• It was a campaign promise from the P.v.d.A
• To overcome the emigration of Suriname to Netherlands
• There was no feeling to be accused of colonialism
• Wanted to deal with problems similar to the ones during Indonesian independence

Independence

• created more self- understanding in Surinamese history -> More unity grew

• emigration declined

• Reasons:

• increased tax

• Suriname got development aid After Independence- new colonial phase

• Sur linked to foreign capital and kept getting help -NPK<> Created by NPS< PNR

• The second office of Aaron was in 1977

• IN 1977 NPK won the elections the past continued and lead to a social economic situation -> There was new value to large approaches

• Doubts over bauxite stocks

• The economic situation was grim

• Bauxite production declined

• Unemployment increased

• Living had gone down more immigration

• January 19, problems increased and Aaron promised for March 1980

• -> Election did not push thru b/c of February coup -social-economic problems -vakbondproblmen

Na de staatsgreep kwam de leiding in handen van de NMR (nationale militaire raad (16 officieren)) o.l.v. D. Bouterse. De oude politici kregen huisarrest. Oude politieke partijen werden ontbonden.

Changes Under NMR

• De rol van de militairen op politiek gebied

• Welke economische en politieke koers Suriname moet volgen

• Ze hadden geen duidelijke politieke en economische plan

• Redenen

• Om Nederland niet tegen zich in het harnas te jagen

• Om investeerders niet af te schrikken

• Om buitenlandse interventie te voorkomen.

• President Chin A Sen kwam met een urgentie programma met sociaal veranderingen te weten

• Success under Chin A Sen

• Steun van Nederland

• Volkshusing werd uitgevoerd

• After there was more attention

• Militair regieme

• oprichting volks comités, volksmobilisatie

• Verstoring opschool

• Changes on the politics

• Er waren veel politieke tegenstellingen

• DIT leidde dot twee staatsgreepo Hawkes and Rambocus

• Decreten ipv weten