Nationalism and the liberation struggle in Zimbabwe

ZIMSEC A Level · History · Form 6

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Rise of nationalism

The City Youth League (1955), the Southern Rhodesia ANC (1957), NDP (1960), ZAPU (1961) and ZANU (1963). Leaders included Joshua Nkomo, Ndabaningi Sithole, Herbert Chitepo, Robert Mugabe and others.

UDI and armed struggle

UDI (11 November 1965); sanctions; failed talks (Tiger 1966, Fearless 1968, Pearce Commission 1972).
The Second Chimurenga/Umvukela: Chinhoyi (1966), Wankie and Sipolilo campaigns with the ANC of South Africa (1967–68), intensification from 1972 in the north-east.
External support: Frontline States (Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique, Botswana), the OAU Liberation Committee, and the socialist bloc.
Mozambique's independence (1975) opened the eastern front.

Peasant support and debates

Historians debate the role of peasants: Terence Ranger stressed peasant consciousness and spirit mediums; Norma Kriger highlighted coercion and local divisions.

Settlement

The Internal Settlement (1978) failed to end the war; the Lancaster House Conference (1979) led to elections and independence on 18 April 1980.

Exam tip: Analyse why the war ended – military pressure, regional and international factors, and the economic cost to Rhodesia.

Check yourself

Name two nationalist parties formed before ZANU.
Why was Mozambique's independence in 1975 significant?
State one point of disagreement between Ranger and Kriger.

Show answers

Any two: SRANC, NDP, ZAPU (City Youth League also accepted).
It provided rear bases and opened a long eastern front for guerrillas.
Ranger emphasised voluntary peasant support; Kriger emphasised coercion and internal conflicts.

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