Grenada has a population of about 93,000 and a land area of 133 square miles (344 square kilometers). Its tropical climate and beautiful scenery and beaches attract many tourists.
People. About 95 percent of Grenada's people are of African or mixed African and European ancestry. Descendants of East Indians or of Europeans make up the rest of the population. The majority of Grenadians speak English, the nation's official language, or a dialect (local form) of English. A French-African patois (mixture of languages) is also commonly spoken. More than half the population are Roman Catholics. Other religious groups include Anglicans, Methodists, and Seventh-day Adventists.
Government.In the mid-1900's, the British gave Grenada some control over its own affairs. In the early 1970's, Prime Minister Eric M. Gairy led a movement for independence. Political unrest developed because some groups opposed independence and accused Gairy of becoming a dictator. Grenada gained independence in 1974. The new country became a constitutional monarchy and joined the Commonwealth of Nations. A prime minister headed the government. A governor general, a symbolic official, was appointed by the British monarch.
Gairy served as prime minister of Grenada until 1979, when rebels led by Maurice Bishop overthrew his government. The rebels set up a new government and named Bishop prime minister. Bishop, a Marxist, established close ties with Cuba and adopted a number of leftist policies. But some other rebels denounced him for not adopting a complete Marxist system. In 1983, rebels took over the government and killed Bishop.
Other Caribbean nations feared Grenada would be used as a base by Cuba and the Soviet Union to support terrorism and leftist revolutions in Latin America. Soon after Bishop was killed, several Caribbean nations asked the United States to help restore order in Grenada.
On Oct. 25, 1983, U.S. troops invaded Grenada. U.S. President Ronald Reagan said the action was necessary to protect the lives of Americans in Grenada, including nearly 600 students at St. George's University School of Medicine. Troops from six Caribbean nations also took part in the invasion. The nations were Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Jamaica, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The multinational force quickly took major objectives, including an airport being constructed at Point Salines with Cuban assistance. After several days, the multinational force took complete control of Grenada. By December 15, all U.S. troops had been pulled out of the country. About 250 noncombat U.S. military personnel remained in Grenada until 1985 to maintain law and order.
After the fighting ended, Sir Paul Godwin Scoon, governor general of Grenada, took temporary control of the government. He appointed a nine-member advisory council to help him rule the country. In 1984, Grenada's democratically elected government was restored. A prime minister again headed the government. The government ended the leftist policies that the Marxist government had adopted.
Contributor: Gerald R. Showalter, Ph.D., Associate Prof. of Geography, Ball State Univ. |