Suriname Fifth Grade (GLO) - History

Early Inhabitants and Colonization

Suriname's earliest known inhabitants were Indigenous peoples, dating back to 3000 BCE. Several groups called Suriname home, including the Kali'ña (Caribs), Lokono (Arawaks), Trio, and Wayana. European colonization began in the 17th century. The British established the first permanent European settlement in 1651. However, in 1667, the Dutch seized control of Suriname, exchanging it for New Amsterdam (present-day New York City). Suriname officially became a Dutch colony that same year.

Dutch Colonial Rule and Plantation Economy

From 1667 until 1975, Suriname remained largely under Dutch control, except for brief periods of British rule (1799–1802 and 1804–1815). During this period, Suriname developed into a plantation colony. Dutch planters, who had been driven out of Brazil in the mid-17th century, settled in Suriname and established sugar plantations. Sugar became the main export, followed by coffee, cacao, cotton, indigo, and wood, which gained importance during the 18th century. The Sociëteit van Suriname, a Dutch-chartered company, governed Suriname between 1683 and 1795. The plantation economy relied heavily on enslaved Africans who were brought to Suriname.

Abolition of Slavery and Indentured Labor

Slavery was abolished in Suriname on July 1, 1863. Following the abolition of slavery, indentured laborers were brought from India and Java (Indonesia) to work on the plantations. This influx of people from different parts of the world contributed to Suriname's diverse ethnic makeup.

Independence and Post-Colonial Period

Suriname gained independence from the Netherlands on November 25, 1975. Five years later, in 1980, a military coup overthrew the civilian government, and Suriname was declared a socialist republic. A period of political instability followed, including a civil war from 1986 to 1992. Suriname transitioned back to democratic rule in the 1990s. Today, Suriname is a multicultural nation with a rich history shaped by Indigenous peoples, European colonization, the legacy of slavery, and the contributions of various immigrant groups.