20th century
Southern Rhodesia
In 1965, the white-minority settler government of Southern Rhodesia rebelled against London’s pressure to make political concessions to African demands and proclaimed independence as Rhodesia. The state was not internationally recognised but resisted Britain for fifteen years. African guerrilla warfare eventually brought the regime to negotiations and a British-supervised transfer of power to the black majority.
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The Story
Southern Rhodesia followed a pattern that recalled the crisis of settler rule in Algeria. In 1965, the white-minority settler group rebelled against London’s efforts to pressure it into accepting African participation in government. The settlers proclaimed their country independent under the name Rhodesia, rejecting the authority of the British government.
The proclaimed state never received international recognition, yet it possessed sufficient financial and military resources to defy London for fifteen years. Its endurance rested on the institutional and economic strength of the white-minority regime. The conflict consequently became a prolonged confrontation between settler rule, British authority, and African nationalist forces.
African guerrilla warfare ultimately forced the Rhodesian regime to the conference table. Under British supervision, the regime accepted a transfer of power from the white minority to the black majority. The subsequent independent Zimbabwe retained a white minority with entrenched political rights and a continuing economic role.
20th century
Southern Rhodesia
In 1965, the white-minority settler government of Southern Rhodesia rebelled against London’s pressure to make political concessions to African demands and proclaimed independence as Rhodesia. The state was not internationally recognised but resisted Britain for fifteen years. African guerrilla warfare eventually brought the regime to negotiations and a British-supervised transfer of power to the black majority.
Continue exploring
The Story
Southern Rhodesia followed a pattern that recalled the crisis of settler rule in Algeria. In 1965, the white-minority settler group rebelled against London’s efforts to pressure it into accepting African participation in government. The settlers proclaimed their country independent under the name Rhodesia, rejecting the authority of the British government.
The proclaimed state never received international recognition, yet it possessed sufficient financial and military resources to defy London for fifteen years. Its endurance rested on the institutional and economic strength of the white-minority regime. The conflict consequently became a prolonged confrontation between settler rule, British authority, and African nationalist forces.
African guerrilla warfare ultimately forced the Rhodesian regime to the conference table. Under British supervision, the regime accepted a transfer of power from the white minority to the black majority. The subsequent independent Zimbabwe retained a white minority with entrenched political rights and a continuing economic role.