I think it’s time I engage in that longstanding blog tradition–the rant. Does French Guiana make anyone else angry? For those of you who aren’t aware, French Guiana is a French colony nestled between Suriname and Brazil on the northernmost part of South America. It was settled in 1604, and has a population of 221,500 people who have apparently never heard of the Monroe Doctrine. For those of you keeping track, it is also the European Union… in our hemisphere…sorry, my hemisphere (I’m still new to the rant).
A Colonial Economy
French Guiana’s exports consist mainly of timber and fishing. There is no manufacturing economy to speak of. The vast majority of its products are imported from France, giving France a lucrative market that has no one else to turn to (remember learning about mercantilism in high school?). Indeed, the only serious money-maker in the country is a spaceport that France wanted to build near the equator. Unemployment stands at nearly 20% and the PPP per capita GDP is a measly $8,300. Compare that to Mainland France’s stats of 10% and $29,900. Disgusting.
A Colonial History
Louis XV sent thousands of French patriots to French Guiana after losing the vast majority of French American territory in the Treaty of Paris of 1763. His plan was to consolidate what land remained. Some years later, a penal colony at Devil’s Island was established. Shockingly, this prison continued until 1951. Indeed, French Guiana has stuck through all five republics and declared allegiance to the Vichy government as well. Disgusting.
Impossible Independence?
So, here we are, in the twenty-first century, having abolished European colonialism throughout most of the world, and French Guiana remains. At this point, they’re completely dependant on France’s economy. There has been a movement to change to a Puerto Rican style protectorate since the 70s, with riots during the latter half of the 90s, but it doesn’t appear to have gone anywhere. (Readers can probably guess that I love the idea of France being forced to emulate the U.S.) Indeed, the strongest argument for some sort of independence rests on the sheer ridiculousness of the existence of a French colony in the Americas. But, isn’t that strong enough?
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NB: France still has possessions in *North* America, the last remnants of the empire after the French and Indian War: the islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon, islands 16 miles off the coast of Newfoundland. Outrage!
I think their language sounds funny.