Zimbabwe
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Background-
1920s · European imperialists gained control over Africa by signing treaties with local rulers, and in most cases the chiefs did not understand what rights and land they were giving away. · Cecil Rhodes made King Lobengula sing a treaty that he didn’t understand. The treaty gave land and the kingdom to Cecil Rhodes. He took control of the kingdom and named it Rhodesia. · 1923- Southern Rhodesia became a self-governing British Colony, subsequent to a 1922 referendum.
1930s · Huge grab of land drove thousands of Africans into reservations and land was taken from owner and given to Rhodesia’s soldiers. Was consolidated by Land Apportionment act of 1930 and the Land Tenure Act of 1969
1940s · Not much difference served under Britain in WWI. Served mainly in the East African Campaign against Axis forces in Italian East Africa. 1950s
The gradual radicalization of the African labor force occurred due to terribly poor wages and conditions.
Garfield Todd, the federation’s Prime minister, was thrown out when he tried to attempt to satisfy some of the more moderate African Demands.
1960s
Throughout the 1960s revolts by African were happening. Long guerrilla warfare was used.
In the late 1960s a liberation war was started. And led by the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) and the Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU)
Many of the leaders of these groups were imprisoned.
The British planned to make Rhodesia a racially mixed democracy.
1970s
In 1970 Ian Smith the ruler of Rhodesia declared independence from Britain. This was a rebellion but the British did no try to take Rhodesia back.
File:Udi2-rho.jpg
Also in 1970 a civil war emerged between Robert Mugabe ZANU and Joshua Nkomo ZAPU.
Decade of the 1970s—Seeking True Independence, from White to Black Rule
Attempts renewed to settle independence with Britain because: 1)embargo related hardships painful 2)power shifts on Angola and Mozambique because of coup in Portugal 3)guerrilla troubles increased and White morale sunk as destruction/killings occurred (20,000 killed from 1972 to 1979).
1976—Smith government agreed to meet in Geneva to negotiate with main Black parties.
1977-78—Plans formalized for democracy.
1979—Bishop Muzorewa became “Zimbabwe-Rhodesia’s” first Black prime minister, while Britain lifted sanctions and provided transition rule until new government could be formed.Nine political parties ran in elections, Robert Mugabe of the ZANU party won to form the new government with intent to stop discrimination in land distribution, jobs, and education.
1980—Official independence granted by Britain for new country of Zimbabwe.
Decade of the 1980ies—New Mugabe Government Transition/Reconciliations Troubled, but Mugabe Power Consolidated
1980-81—Efforts to govern with some Smith people and with main opposition party, lead by Joseph Nkomo of ZAPU, fell apart.
1981-87—Nkomo, known as Father Zimbabwe, threatened overthrow of Mugabe, caused disruptions, demanded seats for ZAPU in government, wanted farms back for ZAPU, as Whites became more disengaged and isolated.Mugabe claimed “state of emergency” with widespread powers to detain anyone without charges.
1983-84—Curfew set to contain dissidents but about 20,000 killed during so called “strong wind” or pacification movement.
1985-87—Nkomo declared independence from dissidents, and merged with Mugabe ZANU party as they consolidated power.
1987—Constitution changed to end separate voting rolls for Whites and set-aside seats in government.
1990—Elections gave Mugabe huge victory (117 of 120 seats) but low voter turnout (54%) because of only one party.State of emergency was lifted.
Decade of 1990ies-Present---Increasing Discontent with Dictatorial Mugabe
1900ies had increasing demonstrations and civil unrest by students, trade unions, and workers. In 1990-2 students protested against government control of universities, followed by workers protesting bad conditions the next two years, with a general strike in 1996, and war veterans earning some pay for their services. The currency lost half its value, the stock market crashed, and huge economic woes ensued.
2000---Opposition, known as Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), stopped government from passing two more terms for Mugabe and keeping government officials from being prosecuted.
2000---Violence breaks out at elections.MDC did win 57 of 120 seats despite government harassment.Government seized all White-owned land.
2002---Presidential election preceded by months of violence and killing of at least 50 opposition leaders.Mugabe won 56% to Morgan Tsvangirai 42%, but international observers claimed widespread intimidation and fraud.MDC challenged the election. The US and Europe froze assets, stopped arms sales, suspended them from Commonwealth, etc.Government imposed limits on free speech and assembly, limited those allowed to vote, and gave food to the hungry for votes.
2003—Voilent local elections, and treason charges filed against Morgan Tsvangirai, who was found not guilty in 2004 with other charges dropped by Mugabe government in 2005.
2005-08---Government started “Operation Restore Order” by tearing down homes and buildings that were supposedly illegal, and about 700,000 people were displaced, while government refused to let aid organization assist the displaced.
2007—South Africa’s president mediated Mugabe and MDC differences for a new election and rewriting of constitution.
2008—Elections were held, not totally free, and results were announced much later, causing doubts about the results.Tsvangirai got 47.9% to Mugabe 43.2%.MDC challenged it, thinking that Tsvangirai actually got 50% to win the election as President.Because of 50 killings, 2,000 injuries, and 30,000 displacements by the Mugabe government to influence a run-off, Tsvangirai dropped the challenge in the run off as MDC leaders were being killed and harassed. Mugabe became president again.
July 2008—MDC and Mugabe party ZANU signed agreement that let Mugabe be president but Tsvangirai as prime minister.Still 32 MDC leaders were kidnapped, and some jailed.
December 2008--- Secretary of State Condi Rice and others called for Mugabe to step down. Power struggles continue, violence periodically erupts, and constitutional reforms are still in process as Tsvangirai tries to rule against Mugabe’s resistance, as the two of them remain in power.
ZimbabweToday, A Snapshot
8-9 million people, 1.5 million in Capital
About the size of Montana
About 16% with AIDS
High 9% Inflation
Rich in minerals
Subtropical, good agriculture
Home of spectacular wonder-of-world, Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe
National Flag
Zimbabwe Timeline
Zimbabwe History
Zimbabwe National Anthem
Background-
1920s
· European imperialists gained control over Africa by signing treaties with local rulers, and in most cases the chiefs did not understand what rights and land they were giving away.
· Cecil Rhodes made King Lobengula sing a treaty that he didn’t understand. The treaty gave land and the kingdom to Cecil Rhodes. He took control of the kingdom and named it Rhodesia.
· 1923- Southern Rhodesia became a self-governing British Colony, subsequent to a 1922 referendum.
1930s
· Huge grab of land drove thousands of Africans into reservations and land was taken from owner and given to Rhodesia’s soldiers. Was consolidated by Land Apportionment act of 1930 and the Land Tenure Act of 1969
1940s
· Not much difference served under Britain in WWI. Served mainly in the East African Campaign against Axis forces in Italian East Africa.
1950s
- The gradual radicalization of the African labor force occurred due to terribly poor wages and conditions.
- Garfield Todd, the federation’s Prime minister, was thrown out when he tried to attempt to satisfy some of the more moderate African Demands.
1960s1970s
- Also in 1970 a civil war emerged between Robert Mugabe ZANU and Joshua Nkomo ZAPU.
Decade of the 1970s—Seeking True Independence, from White to Black RuleAttempts renewed to settle independence with Britain because:
1) embargo related hardships painful
2) power shifts on Angola and Mozambique because of coup in Portugal
3) guerrilla troubles increased and White morale sunk as destruction/killings occurred (20,000 killed from 1972 to 1979).
1976—Smith government agreed to meet in Geneva to negotiate with main Black parties.
1977-78—Plans formalized for democracy.
1979—Bishop Muzorewa became “Zimbabwe-Rhodesia’s” first Black prime minister, while Britain lifted sanctions and provided transition rule until new government could be formed. Nine political parties ran in elections, Robert Mugabe of the ZANU party won to form the new government with intent to stop discrimination in land distribution, jobs, and education.
1980—Official independence granted by Britain for new country of Zimbabwe.
Decade of the 1980ies—New Mugabe Government Transition/Reconciliations Troubled, but Mugabe Power Consolidated
1980-81—Efforts to govern with some Smith people and with main opposition party, lead by Joseph Nkomo of ZAPU, fell apart.
1981-87—Nkomo, known as Father Zimbabwe, threatened overthrow of Mugabe, caused disruptions, demanded seats for ZAPU in government, wanted farms back for ZAPU, as Whites became more disengaged and isolated. Mugabe claimed “state of emergency” with widespread powers to detain anyone without charges.
1983-84—Curfew set to contain dissidents but about 20,000 killed during so called “strong wind” or pacification movement.
1985-87—Nkomo declared independence from dissidents, and merged with Mugabe ZANU party as they consolidated power.
1987—Constitution changed to end separate voting rolls for Whites and set-aside seats in government.
1990—Elections gave Mugabe huge victory (117 of 120 seats) but low voter turnout (54%) because of only one party. State of emergency was lifted.
Decade of 1990ies-Present---Increasing Discontent with Dictatorial Mugabe
1900ies had increasing demonstrations and civil unrest by students, trade unions, and workers. In 1990-2 students protested against government control of universities, followed by workers protesting bad conditions the next two years, with a general strike in 1996, and war veterans earning some pay for their services. The currency lost half its value, the stock market crashed, and huge economic woes ensued.
2000---Opposition, known as Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), stopped government from passing two more terms for Mugabe and keeping government officials from being prosecuted.
2000---Violence breaks out at elections. MDC did win 57 of 120 seats despite government harassment. Government seized all White-owned land.
2002---Presidential election preceded by months of violence and killing of at least 50 opposition leaders. Mugabe won 56% to Morgan Tsvangirai 42%, but international observers claimed widespread intimidation and fraud. MDC challenged the election. The US and Europe froze assets, stopped arms sales, suspended them from Commonwealth, etc. Government imposed limits on free speech and assembly, limited those allowed to vote, and gave food to the hungry for votes.
2003—Voilent local elections, and treason charges filed against Morgan Tsvangirai, who was found not guilty in 2004 with other charges dropped by Mugabe government in 2005.
2005-08---Government started “Operation Restore Order” by tearing down homes and buildings that were supposedly illegal, and about 700,000 people were displaced, while government refused to let aid organization assist the displaced.
2007—South Africa’s president mediated Mugabe and MDC differences for a new election and rewriting of constitution.
2008—Elections were held, not totally free, and results were announced much later, causing doubts about the results. Tsvangirai got 47.9% to Mugabe 43.2%. MDC challenged it, thinking that Tsvangirai actually got 50% to win the election as President. Because of 50 killings, 2,000 injuries, and 30,000 displacements by the Mugabe government to influence a run-off, Tsvangirai dropped the challenge in the run off as MDC leaders were being killed and harassed. Mugabe became president again.
July 2008—MDC and Mugabe party ZANU signed agreement that let Mugabe be president but Tsvangirai as prime minister. Still 32 MDC leaders were kidnapped, and some jailed.
December 2008--- Secretary of State Condi Rice and others called for Mugabe to step down. Power struggles continue, violence periodically erupts, and constitutional reforms are still in process as Tsvangirai tries to rule against Mugabe’s resistance, as the two of them remain in power.
Zimbabwe Today, A Snapshot
8-9 million people, 1.5 million in Capital
About the size of Montana
About 16% with AIDS
High 9% Inflation
Rich in minerals
Subtropical, good agriculture
Home of spectacular wonder-of-world, Victoria Falls
- ZImbabwe Video
3 main points1. Zimbabwe under Imperialism
2. Civil Wars sparked by unfair treatment