Countries which attained independence through combination Method : Decolonization through combination method

DECOLONIZATION THROUGH THE COMBINATION OF METHODS ZIMBABWE.


Zimbabwe nationalism took different forms. The well-known form was war of resistance, protest movements, Mass nationalism and armed struggle.


The Early Resistance


The early resistance was wagged by Mashona and Ndebele following the arrival of the white settlers in Zimbabwe in 1890. The strong resistance took place in 1896/97 which was known as Chimulenga war. The Chimulenga uprising was caused by forced labor, taxation, land alienation, confiscation of cattle by the white settlers etc.


The Protest/Political Movement


The political activities in Zimbabwe started to develop in 1920-1940's following the establishment of various associations and trade unions which protested European oppression and exploitation. Because of poor education system for Africans in Zimbabwe political leadership often came from immigrants especially from South Africa and Malawi. Among the protest movements were;

a) Rhodesian Bantu Liters Association (RBVA) formed in 1923 by Abraham Twala a South African.

b) Industrial Commercial Workers Union (ICW) formed in 1920 by Robert Sambo, a Malawian.

c) Southern Rhodesian African Congress (SRANC) formed in 1934 under the leadership of Aaron Jacha, South African.


The Rise of Mass Nationalism


Mass Nationalism in Zimbabwe began around 1950’s; it started as an opposition of Africans against the formation of Central African Federation, an association formed by British in 1953 so as to federate all central African countries dominated by white settlers. At this stage African decided to establish political parties which could demand political Independence through constitution means.


Political Parties in Zimbabwe.


Many political parties were formed during the struggle for Independence most of them based on tribal groups thus Africans in Zimbabwe were divided in different political parties such as;

a) ANC -African National Congress, formed in 1957 by Joshua Inkomo in 1959 the movement was burned by settler government.

b) NDP- National Democratic Party. It was formed in 1960 by Joshua Inkomo also it was burned by the settler government in 1961.

c) ZAPU - Zimbabwe African Party Union, It was formed in 1961 by Joshua Inkomo, in its activities ZAPU organized different activities such as strikes and demonstrations, for this reason it was burned in 1962.

d) ZANU- Zimbabwe African National Union, It was formed in 1963 under the leadership of Rev. Ndabaningi Sithole and Robert Mugabe. This political party wanted to use armed struggle in the whole country.


With all these struggles on November 11th 1965 the white minority in Zimbabwe under Iron Smith decreed illegally the Rhodesian Independence under the so-called Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) without consulting the British who made the state over the colony. The independence was declared illegally by settlers so as to be free from any British control. The Independence was of one side and it was called Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI), which was to collapse fifteen years later. UDI had an effect to Africans which forced ZAPU and ZANU to launch armed because;

· It increased white supremacy over African

· It intensified exploitations

· It burned all political parties

· It imprisoned the nationalistic leaders

Armed Struggle


Actual armed struggle in Zimbabwe began in 1960 and it was facilitated by the military living of ZAPU and ZANU which were known as ZIPRA and ZANLA respectively. The movement of these military livings took the form of Guerilla warfare by using neighboring land such as Zambia, Mozambique and Angola. The struggle was intensified from 1976 following the alliance between ZAPU and ZANU which formed the Patriotic Front (P.F).


Reasons for armed struggle in Zimbabwe

1. Zimbabwe had a lot of settlers who occupied large areas of fertile land. These settlers were not ready to leave the land and grant independence. This situation led the black people to engage in armed struggle in order to gain their national independence.

2. The peaceful means or constitutional methods failed to work in Zimbabwe, hence it was necessary to use armed struggle in order to regain true political independence.

3. Economically, Zimbabwe was a rich colony; hence the colonizers didn’t easily surrender.

4. Ian Smith, UDI (Unilateral Declaration of Independence) government created in 1965 made the situation more difficult for African majority to gain their independence.

5. The “State of Emergency” in Zimbabwe banned all African political movement like ZANU, ZAPU, ANC and NDP.

6. African nationalist leaders like Joshua Inkomo and others were imprisoned or detained. They were banned to operate political movements peacefully.

7. There was disunity among the African leaders e.g. Bitter tribalistic differences which existed among Bishop Abel Muzolewa, Rev. Ndabaningi, Sithole, Joshua Inkomo and Robert Mugabe.

Factors which contributed to the attainment of Zimbabwe independence.

1. The bodied leadership of Robert Mugabe and Ndabaningi Sithiole. These leaders used effective methods such as negotiation and warfare which led Zimbabwe to attain her independence.

2. Contribution of Mass media such as magazine and newspapers which were used to expose the evils of the colonialists. These Mass Media also educated Africans on the need of majority rule.

3. The contribution made by ZIPRA and ZANLA. These freedom fighters directed their assault on the government. This really shocked the settler and their government as a result they arose peaceful negotiation with African.

4. The release of Joshua Nkomo and Ndabaningi Sithole from the prison. They invigorated the people with new morale to fight for their independence.

5. The role played by organization of African Union (OAU). OAU members fought in supporting Zimbabwe nationalists, e.g. Kenya, Zambia and Tanzania were used as the home of liberation movements of Zimbabwean.

6. The independence of Angola and Mozambique in 1975 rejuvenated the morale of the freedom fighter of Zimbabwe. Angola and Mozambique were used as the base for organizing the attacks.