The Rhodesian Bush War: A Devastating Conflict in Southern Africa

The Rhodesian Bush War, also known as the Second Chimurenga or Umvukela, was a guerrilla war fought in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) between 1966 and 1980. The war pitted the white-minority government of Rhodesia against two rival nationalist movements, the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) and the Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU).

Bush War Rhodesia 1966-1980 (Africa@War Book 17)

by Peter Baxter

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	82371 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	72 pages
Paperback	:	227 pages
Item Weight	:	12 ounces

FREE

The war was a complex and bloody conflict that had a devastating impact on the country. It is estimated that between 20,000 and 40,000 people were killed in the war, and many more were displaced from their homes. The war also caused widespread economic damage, and it left a deep legacy of mistrust and division in Zimbabwean society.

Causes of the War

The roots of the Rhodesian Bush War can be traced back to the British colonization of Southern Africa in the 19th century. The British established a colony in Rhodesia in 1888, and they granted white settlers land and political power. This led to the creation of a white-minority government that discriminated against the black majority.

In the 1960s, the black nationalist movement in Rhodesia began to grow in strength. The two main nationalist movements, ZANU and ZAPU, were formed in 1963 and 1964, respectively. These movements demanded equal rights for blacks and an end to white rule.

The white-minority government refused to give up power, and it responded to the nationalist movement with violence. In 1965, the government declared a state of emergency and banned ZANU and ZAPU. This led to the outbreak of guerrilla warfare in 1966.

The War

The Rhodesian Bush War was a brutal and bloody conflict. The guerrillas used hit-and-run tactics to attack government forces and civilian targets. The government responded with a scorched-earth policy, destroying villages and crops in areas where the guerrillas were active.

The war had a devastating impact on the civilian population. Thousands of people were killed or injured, and many more were displaced from their homes. The war also caused widespread economic damage, and it left a deep legacy of mistrust and division in Zimbabwean society.

The Lancaster House Agreement

In 1979, the British government brokered a peace agreement between the Rhodesian government and the nationalist movements. The agreement, known as the Lancaster House Agreement, provided for a ceasefire and the establishment of a new government in Rhodesia. The new government was led by Robert Mugabe, who had been the leader of ZANU during the war.

Zimbabwe gained independence from Britain in 1980, and Mugabe became the country's first president. However, the legacy of the Rhodesian Bush War continued to haunt Zimbabwe. The war had caused deep divisions in Zimbabwean society, and it left a legacy of mistrust and violence.

The Rhodesian Bush War was a devastating conflict that had a profound impact on Zimbabwe. The war killed thousands of people, displaced many more, and caused widespread economic damage. The war also left a deep legacy of mistrust and division in Zimbabwean society.

However, the Rhodesian Bush War also led to the independence of Zimbabwe and the end of white-minority rule. The war was a turning point in the history of Southern Africa, and it helped to inspire other liberation movements in the region.

Bush War Rhodesia 1966-1980 (Africa@War Book 17)

by Peter Baxter

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	82371 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	72 pages
Paperback	:	227 pages
Item Weight	:	12 ounces

FREE