UNILATERAL DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE Flashcards
1
Q
What was the Unilateral Declaration of Independence?
A
- This is whereby the white settler party in Zimbabwe declared themselves independent without the consent of the British Government
2
Q
Reasons for the UDI?
A
- Ian Smith won the elections of 1962 under the Rhodesian Front Party which was led by extremist right wing. It was under his reign that the declaration of independence was instigated
- In October 1964, a chief’s Indaba( conference) was held at Doboshawa and a unanimous support was agreed for the UDI
- Ian Smith also held a referendum with majority white voters; UDI 50 091 to 6096 votes
- A state of emergency was declared in Rhodesia in November 1965 and in November 11 Rhodesia declared herself independent
- ## Smith won majority vote in 1969 election and in 1970 declared Rhodesia a republic
3
Q
Results of the UDI
A
- The regime did not interfere with the reserves and the Land Husbandry Act was not put into effect
- The government continued to create a rift between the Shona and the Ndebele to their own advantage. by this they predicted anarchy if ever Africans were given majority rule; this hence meant that they would be more considerable
- The salaries of the Ndebele Indunas was increased and were given powers of arrest and representation in parliament. The chiefs were regarded as the representatives of the African people
- The Smith government had control over the armed forces, police and administration and were well prepared to tackle any military attack
