The British had about 375,000 African soldiers under their command. During the war the Rhodesian economy boomed through answering nations demands during the wartime. This spike in the economy brought about 53,000 Europeans settlers to Rhodesia from the years of 1946 to 1951. When the war started in 1939, Rhodesian white men who were known for their very loyal mindset towards the British crown were very enthusiastic to go to war. Because of this there was not lack in volunteers. In May 1940 the southern Rhodesian legislator passed a law that allowed British subjects or black males go to war between the ages of 18 and 25. Shortly after the war bright back Africans started shifting from migrant labor to localized labor which resulted in rural areas converting into urban areas. Africans returning from war started a change in political awareness in Africans. Seeing India fighting for independence made them want to “demand no the reform of colonial rule, as in the past, but to freedom from it”. With this idea Africans started to create worker union to combat the rule of the oppressing …show more content…
In “1971 the uk and Rhodesia came up with an agreement to allow more black representation in the government but the black population refused this offer”. Shortly after this agreement fighting took place between government troops and black guerillas in Rhodesia. After a couple years of fighting there was an agreement for a cease fire on both sides. But, 2 years later in 1976 fighting broke out again and this time countries like Mozambique and other African countries help to fight against the European rule. In 1978 the white Europeans and a majority of black African s came up with a new form of government which allowed those of 18 and older to vote and removed most segregation. Yet the Rhodesians kept fighting until 1979 when the UK made a peace deal for a new government and both sides agreed to it. “In 1980 Rhodesia finally gained its independence from the UK and changed its name to Zimbabwe. But, in 1981 fighting broke out between the “national army and the guerillas becaseu the ZAPU organization claimed they did not get a fair share of power after independence”. This rebellion would continue until 1984 when the army destroyed the rebellion. During the elections through 1990 and 1996 voters reelected Mugabe as executive president. In 2000 Mugabe encourage squatters to get rid of and take white farms. In the early 2000’s after the squatters Zimbabwe was suffering from droughts,