Colonialism in Zimbabwe
-
Upload
whart11 -
Category
Government & Nonprofit
-
view
261 -
download
1
Transcript of Colonialism in Zimbabwe
Colonialism in Zimbabwe
The Road from Rhodesia to Zimbabwe
Whitney Hart
Cecil Rhodes and the BSA
• Cecil Rhodes formed an agreement with the Shona (natives in the area that is now Zimbabwe) to mine their land in search for gold in 1888
• Rhodes received a charter to form the British South Africa Company (BSA) in 1889 to settle the land north of South Africa
• Rhodes settles this new territory and renames it Rhodesia
• Southern Rhodesia is the area that will one day become Zimbabwe
New Settlers and Conflict
• The settlement of Rhodesia brought new settlers further into the African interior
• Rhodes began to implement taxes on the Shona• The Shona fought against the BSA
• They were overcome in 1897
• All of Rhodesia was under complete control of the BSA
Forming a Government
• The initial government included 7 BSA officials and 7 settlers
• By 1914, the settlers held a majority of the seats
• BSA charter expired in 1923 leaving Southern Rhodesia with 2 choices• Become a new province of South Africa
• Become a self-governing British colony
• The settlers chose to become a self-governing British colony• Awarded Responsible Government
Responsible Government
• The settler government dealt with land segregation, segregated governance, and political and economic privileges for the white settler community
• The settlers focused on utilizing Southern Rhodesia’s land for its agricultural potential and mineral resources
• Their biggest issue was learning how to govern a racially diverse colony • They had to deal with relations between the Shona, the Ndebele,
and the settlers
Central African Federation
• Britain created a Central African Federation in 1953 of Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe), Northern Rhodesia (Zambia), and Nyasaland (Malawi)• Zambia and Malawi gained independence a decade later
• The Federation was broken up upon their independence
• The Federation was formed to further economic benefits of the region while minimizing conflict
• The Federation fell apart due to political turmoil
Towards Independence
• Southern Rhodesia wanted to become a colony independent of Britain with a guaranteed white minority ruling class
• Ian Smith became prime minister of Rhodesia in 1964• Worked to negotiate independence from Britain unsuccessfully
• Britain would not give up control of Rhodesia unless they were assured that the government would work towards shifting to majority rule
• Smith declared Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) on November 11, 1965
Impacts of UDI
• The new Rhodesian government stripped blacks of their rights• International outrage
• Britain initially tries peaceful negotiations with Smith following the UDI• Smith does not budge and will not change his stance
• Britain places economic sanctions and eventually an embargo on all goods in and out of Southern Rhodesia
Time for a Change
• Smith realized that negotiations were necessary
• Reach an agreement with internal black leaders in 1978• Secure protection of white political and economic interests
• Multiracial Elections to be held in 1979
• Civil War had been occurring throughout the 1970s and still did not cease• Britain negotiated ceasefire and set up new elections in 1980
Independence
• Zimbabwe obtained internationally recognized independence on April 18, 1980
• Robert Mugabe became president