British Guyana Prime Minister. He entered the political arena in 1947 by being elected to the assembly. Three years later created the People's Progressive Party and became the Minister of Agriculture, Lands, and Mines, as well as the leader of the House of Assembly, in the colony's first democratically elected government in 1953. The rising power of Jagan caught the attention of English Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who feared the Marxist leader's potential for leading a Communist revolt in the colony and sent troops and warships to depose him. Jagan tried to incite dissent with peaceful rebellions. He was imprisoned for six months for allegedly not obeying an order limiting his movements to Georgetown, but then he was re-elected leader of the People's Progressive Party in 1955. His party came to power again in 1957 and he was named Minister of Trade and Industry; 4 years later he became Guyana’s first prime minister. His authority was threatened by labor unrest that was later found to have been fomented by the CIA. His former ally, Forbes Burnham, became Prime Minister in 1964, and Jagan remained leader of the opposition until 1992, when he won over 50% of the vote to become president.
British Guyana Prime Minister. He entered the political arena in 1947 by being elected to the assembly. Three years later created the People's Progressive Party and became the Minister of Agriculture, Lands, and Mines, as well as the leader of the House of Assembly, in the colony's first democratically elected government in 1953. The rising power of Jagan caught the attention of English Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who feared the Marxist leader's potential for leading a Communist revolt in the colony and sent troops and warships to depose him. Jagan tried to incite dissent with peaceful rebellions. He was imprisoned for six months for allegedly not obeying an order limiting his movements to Georgetown, but then he was re-elected leader of the People's Progressive Party in 1955. His party came to power again in 1957 and he was named Minister of Trade and Industry; 4 years later he became Guyana’s first prime minister. His authority was threatened by labor unrest that was later found to have been fomented by the CIA. His former ally, Forbes Burnham, became Prime Minister in 1964, and Jagan remained leader of the opposition until 1992, when he won over 50% of the vote to become president.
Bio by: Brandon Morris
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