colonialism in zimbabwe
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
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