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Rhodesia (officially the Republic of Rhodesia, formerly Southern Rhodesia) was an unrecognized state in Southern Africa that existed from 1965 to 1979, located in the territory of modern-day Zimbabwe.
Named after the British businessman and colonizer Cecil Rhodes, the country was governed by a white minority regime led by Ian Smith. After unilaterally declaring independence (UDI) from the United Kingdom in 1965, the state faced international isolation and a bitter civil war (the Rhodesian Bush War) before transitioning to Zimbabwe.
Key General Data (Late 1970s)Demographics and Social Structure
Rhodesia’s political and social system was defined by severe racial division. Although the white population constituted a small minority, they held almost all political power and owned the majority of the fertile arable land.
Population (1978 estimate): approx. 6.9 million
Black African population: approx. 6.6 million (96%)
White population: approx. 240,000 (approx. 4% – this number steadily declined near the end of the war due to emigration)
Other (Asian, Coloured): approx. 30,000 (less than 1%)
Economy
Despite strict international sanctions and a UN trade embargo, the Rhodesian economy remained remarkably resilient and self-sufficient for a long time. This was largely due to economic and military support from South Africa, as well as extensive undercover smuggling networks.
Agriculture: High-quality tobacco (the country's main export before sanctions), tea, coffee, cotton, and maize.
Mining: Rich deposits of chromium, nickel, gold, copper, and asbestos.
Industry: Due to the trade embargo, the country was forced to develop its own domestic manufacturing and heavy industries (import substitution), producing almost all necessary goods locally.
Dissolution of the State
A combination of internal guerrilla warfare, international pressure, and the loss of vital support from neighboring South Africa eventually forced the government to the negotiating table. Following a brief transitional period as Zimbabwe-Rhodesia in 1979, the Lancaster House Agreement was signed in London. In 1980, the country achieved internationally recognized independence as Zimbabwe, with Robert Mugabe winning the inaugural elections.IndicatorDetails and Statistics
Period of ExistenceNovember 11, 1965 – June 1, 1979
CapitalSalisbury (now Harare)
Areaapprox. 390,580 km^2
CurrencyRhodesian pound (until 1970), Rhodesian dollar (from 1970)
Official LanguageEnglish (Shona and Northern Ndebele were the primary native languages)
GovernmentParliamentary republic (formally a monarchy until 1970)
Head of GovernmentIan Smith (Prime Minister, 1965–1979)
