Misplaced Pages

Revision as of 08:24, 29 November 2003

This is about Ian Smith the Rhodesian Prime Minister. For Ian Smith the former British Conservative Party leader, see Iain Duncan Smith'

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 Rhodesia from November 11, 1965 - June 1, 1979.

He was born in Selukwe (now Shurugwi) and educated in Gwelo (now Gweru) 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 interference with Rhodesia and prospect that he prepare to transfer political control of the colony to the the black nationalist groups which at the time were responsible for terrorism, at one point stating that there would be no black majority rule in his lifetime (on account of the terrorist activities of nationalist groups). Smith always maintained, however, that there was no consitutional inhibitor to blacks entering the political process; there was, however, prevent terrorist groups.

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, however, and even the apartheid goervnment in South Africa did not at first recognise the new state.

The numerous international sanctions that were imposed eventually proved too difficult for the new country to withstand however, even though many veiw Rhodesia's coping with them for so long as remarkable; in 1979 Smith agreed to hold multi-racial elections. Following the elections, Rhodesia was re-named Zimbabwe Rhodesia and Bishop Abel Muzorewa was elected as the country's first black Prime Minister. Smith became minister without portfolio in the new government.

Following the 1980 election, in which Robert Mugabe defeated Muzorewa in what was widely agreed to have been fraudulant elections racked with violence and intimidation from Mugabe's supporters, 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.