1963 Spanish Guinean autonomy referendum facts for kids
| Do you ratify with your vote the basis on the autonomous regime of Equatorial Guinea? | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date | 15 December 1963 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Yes
NoIn 1963, people in Spanish Guinea voted on a special plan. This plan was about whether they should have more control over their own government, separate from Spain. This type of vote is called a referendum. The vote happened on December 15, 1963.
Most people voted "yes" to the plan. About 62.52% of the votes were in favor. This vote was an important step. It helped Spanish Guinea move closer to becoming a fully independent country. They finally gained full independence from Spain in 1968.
Contents
What Was the Referendum About?
The referendum asked people if they agreed with a new plan for how Spanish Guinea would be governed. This plan would give the region more power to make its own decisions. It was a step towards becoming self-governing, or "autonomous."
Spain had controlled Spanish Guinea for a long time. But many people wanted more say in their own future. This vote was a way for them to express that wish.
How Did People Vote?
On the day of the referendum, people went to polling places to cast their votes. They had two choices: "For" the new plan or "Against" it. The votes were then counted carefully.
Referendum Results: How Many Voted For and Against?
The final count showed that more people wanted the new plan. Here is a simple breakdown of the votes:
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| For | 59,280 | 62.52 |
| Against | 35,537 | 37.48 |
| Total | 94,817 | 100 |
This table shows that 59,280 people voted "For" the plan. Only 35,537 people voted "Against" it. This meant the plan was approved by a clear majority.
What Happened After the Vote?
The "yes" vote was a big moment for Spanish Guinea. It showed that people wanted to manage their own affairs. This referendum paved the way for more changes.
Just a few years later, in 1968, Spanish Guinea became completely independent. It was then renamed Equatorial Guinea. The referendum of 1963 was a key event on this journey to becoming a new nation.
