Independence Of Zimbabwe

To a very high extent was the independence of Zimbabwe achieved through force rather than peaceful means as Rhodesia, which is now formally known as Zimbabwe post being granted independence, was in a civil war for over a decade. Fifteen full years to be precise. Rhodesia went through two Chimurenga’s* in order to attain independence by the year 1980.[3] There were however parties such as the SRANC ( Southern Rhodesia African National Congress) that attempted to attain independence through peaceful means [2].

The First Chimurenga which prolonged over the years 1896(march) to the year 1897 is the first war of independence fought by the natives of Zimbabwe (Rhodesia at the time). The war was a violent one, which involved the Ndebele, Shona natives

This war prolonged for 15 years and it was one specifically caused by the African native’s collective need to attain political independence as well as access to economic resources and land. Laws enforced by the Rhodesian government too sparked the war as the government had implemented laws such as: Native Land Husbandry Act and the Land Appointment Act 1930. Laws such as these prohibited Africans from staying in agriculturally productive areas [4]. The natives too felt that their country was held in the wrong hands as the British dominated it as well as run. External factors such as communism and China too had a role in the war as communist countries supported some Zimbabwean parties .The ZANLA was supported by North Korea and the People’s Republic of China and the ZAPU was supported by the USSR and East Germany.[5] Before the actual war began, Rhodesia at the time had already been experiencing civil unrest between the years 1957-1964. Civillians boycotted buses as the fare rates were too high and many political parties were too banned. The war began in July 1964 when ZANLA forces assassinated a Rhodesian Front

This non-violent movement can be compared to the cicvil rights movement, which was ongoing in the United States.The SRANU movement, was too recognized, and commended by Dr Martin Luther King Junior. This is an indication that although this peaceful movement did not result in the Independence of Zimbabwe, it was one that made a difference for as long as it lasted as it was banned in 1958 based on false accusations claiming that the movement had incited