Belize's Independence and Decolonization in Latin America: Guatemala, Britain, and the UN (Studies of the Americas)

Belize, a small British colony in Central America faced with a territorial claim and military threats from neighboring Guatemala, overcame disadvantages of size and power by implementing a strategy of internationalization that utilized new international norms and international organizations, in particular the Non-Aligned Movement and the United Nations. This book, written by a key player in the independence struggle, details the history of the territorial claim and of the international campaign that made it possible for Belize to achieve secure independence with all its territory despite pressures from Britain and the United States to cede land and compromise its sovereignty. Cover......Page 1 Contents......Page 8 List of Table and Maps......Page 10 Foreword......Page 12 Preface......Page 16 Note on Sources......Page 20 List of Abbreviations......Page 22 1 Introduction: Decolonization by Internationalization......Page 24 2 The Guatemalan Claim and Decolonization......Page 46 3 Negotiation and Mediation (1962–1972)......Page 72 4 Heavy Lobbying, Hard Bargaining (1938–1975)......Page 100 5 Internationalization Emergent (1975)......Page 124 6 Internationalization Ascendant (1976–1977)......Page 144 7 Internationalization Triumphant (1978–1981)......Page 172 8 Conclusions: The Power of the Conjuncture......Page 210 Appendix......Page 222 Notes......Page 226 Select Bibliography......Page 260 C......Page 266 F......Page 268 J......Page 269 N......Page 270 R......Page 271 T......Page 272 Y......Page 273 This book provides an account of Belize's struggle for independence in the face of Guatemala's territorial claim. Written by a key player in the independence struggle, this book details the history of the territorial claim and of the international campaign that made it possible for Belize to achieve secure independence with all its territory despite pressures from Britain and the United States to cede land and compromise its sovereignty Introduction: Decolonization by internationalization The Guatemalan claim and decolonization Negotiation and mediation (1962-1972) Heavy lobbying, hard bargaining (1948-1975) Internationalization emergent (1975) Internationalization ascendant (1976-1977) Internationalization triumphant (1978-1981) Conclusions: The power of the conjuncture Appendix: Population of Belize, 1790-1980.