Republic of Rhodesia
| Republic of Rhodesia | |
|---|---|
| 1965- 1980 | |
 | |
| Flag | |
| Capital | Salisbury |
| Government | Republic |
| Language | English (official) |
| Monarch | Queen Elizabeth II (unrecognized) |
| Prime minister | Ian Smith |
| Area | 150,804 sq. miles |
| Population | 6,930,000 |
| Currency | Rhodesian Dollar |
The Republic of Rhodesia was a semi-recognized, conservative country in Africa during the mid 1960s to late 1970s. The British colony, Southern Rhodesia, declared herself a nation independent of British rule by Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) on Novemeber 11, 1965. After 1980 Rhodesia became Zimbabwe.
Independence
Although the Southern Rhodesian colonists were urging Great Britain to grant them indepedence since the early 1960s, Parliament and British law-makers refused to grant them their freedom. The Southern Rhodesian people were essentially forced to take extreme action. On November 11 1965, Rhodesian politician Ian Smith declared Rhodesia an independant nation through a unilateral declaration of independence using the U.S. Declaration of Independence as an example. Initially the newly formed Rhodesian government sought to maintain reations with the British and offered Queen Eizabeth II the position of Queen of Rhodesia; however she refused.
Economy
Rhodesia had the most efficient and productive economy in Southern Africa during it's existence. Rhodesia was one of the largest exporters of maize, cotton, beef, tobacco, roses, and sugarcane earning her the title "Breadbasket of Africa". In addition to food stuffs Rhodesia was a large exporter of mineral wealth such as tungsten.
War Against Terror
Throughout the 1970s Rhodesia led a vicious battle agaisnt Communist terrorists. The communist terrorists were responsible for numerous savage atrocities against the population of Rhodesia. The most desturbing of the terror attacks was the shooting down of two comercial aircraft (Air Rhodesia flights 825 and 827) both of which resulted in the consequent hacking to death and rape of crash survivors.
Leftist Overthrow
Leftist groups began the Rhodesian Bush War in the mid 1970s in an attempt to overthrow the conservative government in place in Salisbury. The militant ZANU group (Zimbabwe African National Union) led by Robert Mugabe were given assistance by communists and adopted Moaist teaching. Liberals often deny the communist influence of the "liberation" groups that fought against teh Rhodesian government. Liberals also try to make the Rhodesian government look racist; it was not.
