1953.E2.80.931965 Southern_Rhodesia

land apportionment in rhodesia in 1965

in 1953, calls independence mounting in many of african possessions, united kingdom created federation of rhodesia , nyasaland (or central african federation, caf), consisted of southern rhodesia, northern rhodesia , nyasaland (now zimbabwe, zambia, , malawi, respectively). idea try steer middle road between differing aspirations of black nationalists, colonial administration , white settler population. caf sought emulate experience of australia, canada , south africa – wherein groups of colonies had been federated form viable independent nations. designed indissoluble federation , caf started unravel due low proportion of british , other white citizens in relation larger black tribal populations. additionally, incorporating tribes within dominion potential citizens, dominion created paradoxical situation of having white elite owning of land , capital, whilst using cheap black labour.

the federation of rhodesia , nyasaland dissolved on 1 january 1964. however, expected nyasaland let go, whilst remainder of rhodesia both north , south united. although northern rhodesia had white population of on 100,000, additional british military , civil units , dependents, of these relatively new region, in extraction business, had little landed interests, , more amenable allowing black nationalism southern rhodesians. accordingly, britain granted independence northern rhodesia on 24 october 1964. however, when new nationalists changed name zambia , began tentatively @ first , later in rapid march africanisation campaign, southern rhodesia remained british colony, resisting attempts bring in majority rule. colony attempted change name rhodesia although not recognised united kingdom. majority of federation s military , financial assets went southern rhodesia, since british government did not wish see them fall hands of nationalist leaders, , since southern rhodesia had borne major expenses of running federation. regard latter, however, northern rhodesia wealthiest of 3 member states (due vast copper mines) , had contributed more overall building of infrastructure other 2 members did. southern rhodesia, recognising inevitable dissolution of federation, quick use federal funds in building infrastructure ahead of others. key component of building of kariba dam , hydroelectric facility (shafts, control centre, etc.), situated on southern rhodesian side of zambezi gorge. situation caused embarrassment zambian government later when front line state in support of insurgents rhodesia in major source of electric power controlled rhodesian state.