2.10 Wilson and Rhodesia Flashcards
Who did Wilson have to face in Rhodesia?
Unilateral Declaration of Rhodesian Independence
Who led the Unilateral Declaration of Rhodesian Independence?
Ian Smith
Why would it have been a negative for Britain to hand over the problem of Rhodesia to the UN?
It would be seen as an abdication of British responsibilities
Why could Wilson not remove the Smith regime with military?
It would have overstretched British military capacity and would have been unpopular
What did Wilson want in Rhodesia?
He wanted a peaceful transition to majority black African rule
Why did Labour deny Rhodesian independence?
It was based on apartheid style terms
What method did Wilson use against Smith?
Applied sanctions to Rhodesia
Who went against British sanctions?
South Africa kept trading with them
West Germany and Switzerland found ways around sanctions
Why was Wilson criticised for announcing he would not use military force?
People felt it gave Smith the confidence and greater bargaining power
How long did Wilson predict that it would take the Smith regime to collapse under sanctions?
Weeks (it would have taken years)
What did Lord Thompson state about the failure to deal with the Smith regime?
It ‘did our standing in the world, our programme, and most of our self respect, incalculable damage’
