Republic of Rhodesia
| Republic of Rhodesia | |
|---|---|
|
| |
| Capital | Salisbury |
| Government | Republic |
| Language | English (official) |
| Monarch | Queen Elizabeth II (unrecognized) |
| Prime minister | Ian Smith |
| Area | 150,804 sq. miles |
| Population | 6,930,000 |
| Currency | Rhodesian Dollar |
The Republic of Rhodesia was an semi-recognized country in Africa during the mid 1960s to late 1970s. The British colony, Southern Rhodesia, declared herself a nation independent of British rule by Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) on Novemeber 11, 1965. After 1980 Rhodesia became Zimbabwe.
Independence
Although the Southern Rhodesian colonists were urging Great Britain to grant them indepedence since the early 1960s, Parliament and British law-makers refused to grant them their freedom. The Southern Rhodesian people were essentially forced to take extreme action. On November 11 1965, Rhodesian politician Ian Smith declared Rhodesia an independant nation through a unilateral declaration of independence using the US Declaration of Independence as an example. Initially the newly formed Rhodesian government sought to maintain reations with the British and offered Queen Eizabeth II the position of Queen of Rhodesia.
Economy
Rhodesia had the most efficient and productive economy in Southern Africa during it's existence. Rhodesia was one of teh largest exporters of maize, cotton, beef, tobacco, roses, and sugarcane earning her the title "Breadbasket of Africa".