Zimbabwe Reading Notes

Zimbabwe Reading Notes

Impacts of Rhodesia Becoming a Self Governing Colony in 1923

  • White Control: The white population dominated the colony.
  • Constitution of Southern Rhodesia: Only 560 Africans could vote out of 4 million; it favored white supremacy.
  • Land Appointment Act of 1930:
  • Marginalized Africans into poorer regions.
  • Required passes for Africans to leave reserves for work.
  • Economic Crisis:
  • Overcrowded and overgrazed reserves led to ecological damage, famine, and hardship.

Definition of the Land Apportionment Act

  • Officially divided land between whites and Africans, disproportionately favoring white settlers.

Findings of the Bledisloe Commission

  • Acknowledged economic interdependence but raised concerns over African interests.

Effects of WWII on Nationalism

  • Black Zimbabweans: Hoped WWII would end colonialism.
  • White Rhodesians: Expected wartime contributions to earn sympathy for maintaining white dominance.
  • Economic Boom: Increased demand for cheap African labor during the war.
  • Land Husbandry Act (1951): Created smallholdings, promoting the rise of African nationalism.

Formation of the Central African Federation (CAF)

  • Cause: Desire of white settlers for a strong, economically powerful union.
  • Effect: Economic expansion in Southern Rhodesia and reinforcement of white power.
  • Led to increased unrest among Black Zimbabweans.

Early Nationalist Movements and Challenges

  • Welfare Associations: African societies advocating for voting rights and reforms.
  • Southern Rhodesian African National Congress (1934): First nationwide nationalist movement.
  • Challenges: Poor education limited African skilled labor; government repression hindered growth of independence movements.

Nationalist Groups of the 1950s

  • Revival of SRANC (post-1945): Responded to punitive government policies.
  • City Youth League (1955): Militant organization merged with other groups.
  • ZAPU Formation (1962): Shifted towards more active resistance, including land occupation and sabotage.
  • ZANU Formation (1963): Emphasized confrontation with the government under leaders like Robert Mugabe.

Breakup of the Central African Federation (1963)

  • British Commission: Recommended each colony's right to secede; led to CAF's dissolution.

Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) - November 11, 1965

  • Led by Ian Smith, severing ties with Britain.

International Reactions to UDI

  • Global Condemnation: UN and Commonwealth rejected the regime; enforced sanctions.
  • Economic Isolation: Over 40 countries agreed to politically and economically isolate Rhodesia.
  • UN Sanctions: Restricted arms and oil supplies to Rhodesia to pressure return to negotiations.