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| '''Ian Douglas Smith''' (born ], ]) was the ] of the British ] of ] from ], ] - ], ] and the Prime Minister of the Republic of ] from ], ] - ], ]. | '''Ian Douglas Smith''' (born ], ]) was the ] of the British ] of ] from ], ] - ], ] and the Prime Minister of the Republic of ] from ], ] - ], ]. | ||
| He was born in Selukwe (now Shurugwi) and educated in Gwelo and at the Rhodes University in South Africa. He serv'''Ian Douglas Smith''' (born ], ]) was the ] of the British ] of ] from ], ] - ], ] and the Prime Minister of of ] from ], ] - ], ]. | |||
| He was born in Selukwe and educated in Gwelo and at the Rhodes University in South Africa. He served with the ] during ]. He returned home to finish his degree and then bought a farm in Selukwe. He became active in politics from 1948, first with the Liberal Party, then the United Federal Party. In 1962 he was one of the founders of the Rhodesian Front Party. The party won a very slim majority in the 1962 elections and formed a government. In April ] Smith was appointed leader of the Rhodesian Front Party, replacing ], and thus became ] of Southern Rhodesia. | He was born in Selukwe and educated in Gwelo and at the Rhodes University in South Africa. He served with the ] during ]. He returned home to finish his degree and then bought a farm in Selukwe. He became active in politics from 1948, first with the Liberal Party, then the United Federal Party. In 1962 he was one of the founders of the Rhodesian Front Party. The party won a very slim majority in the 1962 elections and formed a government. In April ] Smith was appointed leader of the Rhodesian Front Party, replacing ], and thus became ] of Southern Rhodesia. | ||
| Smith was staunchly opposed to ]'s insistance that he prepare to transfer political control of the colony to the black majority, at one point stating that there would be no black majority rule in his lifetime. Smith issued a ] on November 11, 1965. The British colony of Southern Rhodesia became a sovereign state, a move Smith believed would finally free the nation from Britain's constant meddling. This brought widespread international condemnation, and even the ] regime in ] did not recognise the new state. | |||
| ], which was then the colonial power in neighbouring ], gave economic support to Rhodesia, including its sea ports, but following the change of regime in ], Mozambique became independent under the Marxist Frelimo regime of ]. This was a severe blow to the Smith regime, militarily as well as economically, as Machel was an ally of ] and allowed ] a base there to mount incursions into Rhodesia. | |||
| The numerous international ] that were imposed proved too difficult for the new country to withstand however, and in ] Smith agreed to hold multi-racial elections. Following the elections, Rhodesia was re-named ] and Bishop ] was elected as Rhodesia's first black Prime Minister. Smith became minister without portfolio in the new government. | |||
| Following the ] election, in which ] defeated Muzorewa, Smith became Leader of the Opposition, and his party was renamed the Republican Front. However, he saw his support among the white minority increasingly eroded, as many white MPs changed allegiance to Mugabe, and the parliamentary seats reserved for whites were abolished. | |||
| ed with the ] during ]. He returned home to finish his degree and then bought a farm in Selukwe. He became active in politics from 1948, first with the Liberal Party, then the United Federal Party. In 1962 he was one of the founders of the Rhodesian Front Party. The party won a very slim majority in the 1962 elections and formed a government. In April ] Smith was appointed leader of the Rhodesian Front Party, replacing ], and thus became ] of Southern Rhodesia. | |||
| Smith was staunchly opposed to ]'s insistance that he prepare to transfer political control of the colony to the black majority, at one point stating that there would be no black majority rule in his lifetime. Smith issued a ] on November 11, 1965. The British colony of Southern Rhodesia became a sovereign state, a move Smith believed would finally free the nation from Britain's constant meddling. This brought widespread international condemnation, and even the ] regime in ] did not recognise the new state. | Smith was staunchly opposed to ]'s insistance that he prepare to transfer political control of the colony to the black majority, at one point stating that there would be no black majority rule in his lifetime. Smith issued a ] on November 11, 1965. The British colony of Southern Rhodesia became a sovereign state, a move Smith believed would finally free the nation from Britain's constant meddling. This brought widespread international condemnation, and even the ] regime in ] did not recognise the new state. | ||
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| The numerous international ] that were imposed proved too difficult for the new country to withstand however, and in ] Smith agreed to hold multi-racial elections. Following the elections, Rhodesia was re-named ] and Bishop ] was elected as Rhodesia's first black Prime Minister. | The numerous international ] that were imposed proved too difficult for the new country to withstand however, and in ] Smith agreed to hold multi-racial elections. Following the elections, Rhodesia was re-named ] and Bishop ] was elected as Rhodesia's first black Prime Minister. | ||
| The numerous international ] that were imposed proved too difficult for the new country to withstand however, and in ] Smith agreed to hold multi-racial elections. Following the elections, Rhodesia was re-named ] and Bishop ] was elected as Rhodesia's first black Prime Minister. Smith became minister without portfolio in the new government. | |||
| Smith would continue to hold a variety of political jobs under the new administration until the ] election, in which ] defeated Muzorewa. . | |||
| Following the ] election, in which ] defeated Muzorewa, Smith became Leader of the Opposition, and his party was renamed the Republican Front. However, he saw his support among the white minority increasingly eroded, as many white MPs changed allegiance to Mugabe, and the parliamentary seats reserved for whites were abolished. | |||
Revision as of 09:27, 2 November 2003
Ian Douglas Smith (born April 8, 1919) was the Premier of the British Crown Colony of Southern Rhodesia from April 13, 1964 - November 11, 1965 and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Rhodesia from November 11, 1965 - June 1, 1979.
He was born in Selukwe (now Shurugwi) and educated in Gwelo and at the Rhodes University in South Africa. He servIan Douglas Smith (born April 8, 1919) was the Premier of the British Crown Colony of Southern Rhodesia from April 13, 1964 - November 11, 1965 and the Prime Minister of of Rhodesia from November 11, 1965 - June 1, 1979.
He was born in Selukwe and educated in Gwelo and at the Rhodes University in South Africa. He served with the RAF during WW II. He returned home to finish his degree and then bought a farm in Selukwe. He became active in politics from 1948, first with the Liberal Party, then the United Federal Party. In 1962 he was one of the founders of the Rhodesian Front Party. The party won a very slim majority in the 1962 elections and formed a government. In April 1964 Smith was appointed leader of the Rhodesian Front Party, replacing Winston Field, and thus became Premier of Southern Rhodesia.
Smith was staunchly opposed to Britain's insistance that he prepare to transfer political control of the colony to the black majority, at one point stating that there would be no black majority rule in his lifetime. Smith issued a Unilateral Declaration of Independence on November 11, 1965. The British colony of Southern Rhodesia became a sovereign state, a move Smith believed would finally free the nation from Britain's constant meddling. This brought widespread international condemnation, and even the apartheid regime in South Africa did not recognise the new state.
Portugal, which was then the colonial power in neighbouring Mozambique, gave economic support to Rhodesia, including its sea ports, but following the change of regime in Lisbon, Mozambique became independent under the Marxist Frelimo regime of Samora Machel. This was a severe blow to the Smith regime, militarily as well as economically, as Machel was an ally of Robert Mugabe and allowed ZANU a base there to mount incursions into Rhodesia.
The numerous international sanctions that were imposed proved too difficult for the new country to withstand however, and in 1979 Smith agreed to hold multi-racial elections. Following the elections, Rhodesia was re-named Zimbabwe and Bishop Abel Muzorewa was elected as Rhodesia's first black Prime Minister. Smith became minister without portfolio in the new government.
Following the 1980 election, in which Robert Mugabe defeated Muzorewa, Smith became Leader of the Opposition, and his party was renamed the Republican Front. However, he saw his support among the white minority increasingly eroded, as many white MPs changed allegiance to Mugabe, and the parliamentary seats reserved for whites were abolished. ed with the RAF during WW II. He returned home to finish his degree and then bought a farm in Selukwe. He became active in politics from 1948, first with the Liberal Party, then the United Federal Party. In 1962 he was one of the founders of the Rhodesian Front Party. The party won a very slim majority in the 1962 elections and formed a government. In April 1964 Smith was appointed leader of the Rhodesian Front Party, replacing Winston Field, and thus became Premier of Southern Rhodesia.
Smith was staunchly opposed to Britain's insistance that he prepare to transfer political control of the colony to the black majority, at one point stating that there would be no black majority rule in his lifetime. Smith issued a Unilateral Declaration of Independence on November 11, 1965. The British colony of Southern Rhodesia became a sovereign state, a move Smith believed would finally free the nation from Britain's constant meddling. This brought widespread international condemnation, and even the apartheid regime in South Africa did not recognise the new state.
Portugal, which was then the colonial power in neighbouring Mozambique, gave economic support to Rhodesia, including its sea ports, but following the change of regime in Lisbon, Mozambique became independent under the Marxist Frelimo regime of Samora Machel. This was a severe blow to the Smith regime, militarily as well as economically, as Machel was an ally of Robert Mugabe and allowed ZANU a base there to mount incursions into Rhodesia.
The numerous international sanctions that were imposed proved too difficult for the new country to withstand however, and in 1979 Smith agreed to hold multi-racial elections. Following the elections, Rhodesia was re-named Zimbabwe and Bishop Abel Muzorewa was elected as Rhodesia's first black Prime Minister.
The numerous international sanctions that were imposed proved too difficult for the new country to withstand however, and in 1979 Smith agreed to hold multi-racial elections. Following the elections, Rhodesia was re-named Zimbabwe and Bishop Abel Muzorewa was elected as Rhodesia's first black Prime Minister. Smith became minister without portfolio in the new government.
Following the 1980 election, in which Robert Mugabe defeated Muzorewa, Smith became Leader of the Opposition, and his party was renamed the Republican Front. However, he saw his support among the white minority increasingly eroded, as many white MPs changed allegiance to Mugabe, and the parliamentary seats reserved for whites were abolished.