Colonialism In Zimbabwe

Origins

• Cecile Rhodes – Works w/ investors– British South Africa Co. (BSA)

Why Zimbabwe?

• Heard of Mutapa & Rozwi Empires’ wealth

• Believe modern mining will find more minerals

Zimbabwean Response

• Ndebele King Lobengula objects– He’s tricked– Intentional incorrect

translation– Thought he was

allowing a few prospectors but actual document allowed BSA to do “anything necessary” to obtain natural resources

BSA’s Miners

• Found Shona miners had been thorough

• Few new minerals found

• Vandalized historical sights looking for gold

King Lobengla’s Response

• Tries all possible diplomacy vs. BSA

• BSA initiates combat & wins– Maxin guns– Artillery– Mounted troops

Result

• King Lobengula is killed

• Land is divided among whites

• Livestock was stolen from local people and given to colonists

• Govt. Segregation & Oppression

Reaction to Oppression

• 1896-1987 Zimbabwean uprising– Worked hard but BSA had reinforcements

from other African colonies

– Became a British Protectorate

• British regularly used military action vs. African Authorities to maintain power– Kill / discredit all powerful Africans

Effects of African Opp. To Colonialism

• 1953 Britain combines colonies

2 colonies of Rhodesia + Nyasaland (now Malawi) = Federation of Rhodesia

Land Distribution 1965

• Mozambique became indep.– Provided ZANU guerillas w/ a way to enter

Rhodesia– African Nationalists vs. Ian Smith’s white

minority govt. that had declared indep. From UK

– ZANU led by Robert Mugabe & ZAPU Joshua Nkoma

Results

• Mugabe wins 1980 election

• Nkoma= led coalition govt.

Concerns w/ Independence

• Land Ownership=Biggest Problem– How to redistribute the land fairly?– Does land belong to colonists whose

ancestors took it away?– Does land belong to local families who haven’t

owned land for generations?

Problems w/ Land Redistribution

• Causes stress– Agriculture– Economy– Inflation