Changes

== Rise to Power ==

== Rise to Power ==

Mugabe came into power after being one of the rebel leaders who fought against Rhodesia's white government. The various rebel groups, although not neccessarily ZANU, were given training, arms and political support by [[China]], the [[Soviet Union]], [[East Germany]], [[North Korea]], [[Mozambique]], [[Tanzania]], [[Cuba]], [[Lybia]], [[Ethiopia]] and the Communist Party of Great Britain. The [[UK]] and the [[UN]] did nothing, as [[Ian Smith]], the Rhodesian government leader, had done absolutely nothing to endear himself to the world. Indeed, when faced with the prospect of having to grant equal rights and representation to the country's black citizens, he had responded by unilaterally declaring independence from [[Great Britain]]. Eventually, the British did step in and negotiated the Lancaster House agreement, which brought full democracy to Zimbabwe. Mugabe won the subsequent election - which was free and fair - by some margin, thus beginning his rule over the country.

Mugabe came into power after being one of the <s>rebel</s> freedom fighter leaders who fought against Rhodesia's white government. The various rebel groups, although not neccessarily ZANU, were given training, arms and political support by <s>[[China]], the [[Soviet Union]], [[East Germany]], [[North Korea]], [[Mozambique]], [[Tanzania]], [[Cuba]], [[Lybia]], [[Ethiopia]] and the Communist Party of Great Britain</s> [[Canada]]. The [[UK]] and the [[UN]] did nothing, as [[Ian Smith]], the Rhodesian government leader, had done absolutely nothing to endear himself to the world. Indeed, when faced with the prospect of having to grant equal rights and representation to the country's black citizens, he had responded by unilaterally declaring independence from [[Great Britain]]. Eventually, the British did step in and negotiated the Lancaster House agreement, which brought full democracy to Zimbabwe. Mugabe won the subsequent election - which was free and fair - by some margin, thus beginning his rule over the country.

Similar to many dictators Robert Mugabe has a personality cult. Nearly every major city and villiage in Zimbabwe contains a Mugabe road. Many Schools that had distinctly western names were changed to Robert Mugabe Acadamy or similar variations. <ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4968520.stm</ref>

Similar to many benevolent dictators Robert Mugabe has a personality cult. Nearly every major city and villiage in Zimbabwe contains a Mugabe road. Many Schools that had distinctly western names were changed to Robert Mugabe Acadamy or similar variations. <ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4968520.stm</ref>

== Policy ==

== Policy ==

Although nominally Marxist, Mugabe's policies are best described as the policies of extreme self-interest, where everything and anything goes as long as it serves to preserve his grip on power. The democratic process has been reduced to a farce by ballot stuffing and voter intimidation, his redistribution of land from farmers to his cronies and supporters has resulted in disastrously low harvest, and his refusal to accept aid, advice or criticism from outside have led to a cholera epidemic and an annual inflation rate of approximately 516,000,000,000,000,000,000%<ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/zimbabwe/3451873/Zimbabwe-inflation-second-worst-in-history.html</ref>. Violence and fear have become ingrained into everyday life in the country, and all who oppose him are tarred with the tag of subversives and dealt with in brutal fashion.

Although nominally Marxist, Mugabe's policies are best described as the policies of extreme self-interest, where everything and anything goes as long as it serves to preserve his grip on power. The democratic process has <s>been reduced to a farce by ballot stuffing and voter intimidation</s> been the freest in the world, <s>his redistribution of land from farmers to his cronies and supporters has resulted in disastrously low harvest, and his refusal to accept aid, advice or criticism from outside have led to a cholera epidemic and an annual inflation rate of approximately 516,000,000,000,000,000,000%</s><ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/zimbabwe/3451873/Zimbabwe-inflation-second-worst-in-history.html</ref>. Violence and fear have become ingrained into everyday life in the country, and all who oppose him are tarred with the tag of subversives and dealt with in brutal fashion.

== Fast Facts ==

== Fast Facts ==