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| In ] Smith was appointed leader of the majority Rhodesian Front Party, and thus ] of Southern Rhodesia. | In ] Smith was appointed leader of the majority Rhodesian Front Party, and thus ] of Southern Rhodesia. | ||
| A ], Smith was staunchy opposed to ]'s insistance that he prepare to transfer political control of the |
A ], Smith was staunchy opposed to ]'s insistance that he prepare to transfer political control of the colony to the black majority. After repeated ] were imposed, Smith issued a ] on November 11, 1965. The British colony of Southern Rhodesia thus became a sovereign republic, a move Smith believed would finally free the nation from Britain's constant meddling. | ||
| The numerous international sanctions proved too difficult for the new country to withstand however, and in ] he 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 sanctions proved too difficult for the new country to withstand however, and in ] he agreed to hold multi-racial elections. Following the elections, Rhodesia was re-named ] and Bishop ] was elected as Rhodesia's first black Prime Minister. | ||
Revision as of 06:26, 3 April 2003
Premier of the British Colony of Southern Rhodesia (13 Apr 1964 - 11 Nov 1965) and Prime Minister of the Republic of Rhodesia (11 Nov 1965 - 1 Jun 1979).
In 1964 Smith was appointed leader of the majority Rhodesian Front Party, and thus Premier of Southern Rhodesia.
A white supremacist, Smith was staunchy opposed to Britain's insistance that he prepare to transfer political control of the colony to the black majority. After repeated sanctions were imposed, Smith issued a Unilateral Declaration of Independence on November 11, 1965. The British colony of Southern Rhodesia thus became a sovereign republic, a move Smith believed would finally free the nation from Britain's constant meddling.
The numerous international sanctions proved too difficult for the new country to withstand however, and in 1979 he 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 would continue to hold a variety of political jobs under the new administration until the 1980 election, in which Robert Mugabe defeated Muzorewa. Mugabe was as viciously anti-white as Smith had been anti-black, and happily expelled Smith from the government.