that existed between 1965 and 1979 following its Unilateral Declaration of Independence
from the United Kingdom
on 11 November 1965. With its government based at the former colonial capital of Salisbury
, its territory consisted of the former British colony of Southern Rhodesia
. The state was named after Cecil John Rhodes
, whose British South Africa Company
acquired the land in the 19th century.
The landlocked
country bordered South Africa
to the south, Botswana
(post-1966) to the southwest, Zambia
to the northwest and Mozambique
(a Portuguese territory until 1975) to the east.
1922 A referendum in Rhodesia rejects the country's annexation to the South African Union.
1963 The Central African Federation officially collapses and splits into Zambia, Malawi and Rhodesia.
1964 The Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland is divided into the independent republics of Zambia and Malawi, and the British-controlled Rhodesia.
1964 Northern Rhodesia gains independence from the United Kingdom and becomes the Republic of Zambia (Southern Rhodesia remained a colony)
1965 In Rhodesia (modern-day Zimbabwe), the white-minority government of Ian Smith unilaterally declares independence.
1970 Rhodesia declares itself a republic, breaking its last links with the British crown.
1972 Rhodesia is expelled by the IOC for its racist policies.
1979 The first black-led government of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) in 90 years takes power.
1979 Rhodesia changes its name to Zimbabwe-Rhodesia.
1979 Lancaster House Agreement: An independence agreement for Rhodesia is signed in London by Lord Carrington, Sir Ian Gilmour, Robert Mugabe, Joshua Nkomo, Bishop Abel Muzorewa and S.C. Mundawarara.