Independence in South Africa - why it took so long!

Question 1

Lack of military response from Britain

Answer 1

• Br govt under PM Wilson refused to use force against UDI
  
  • unsure of willingness of Br troops to fight against white Rhodesian; they fought together in WWII
    
    • Large proportion of white Rhodesian pop served in Br armed forces
• Br lacked the force to respond, made negotiation position weaker
  
  • There was no threat of military action to force UDI to surrender

Question 2

Failure of sanctions

Answer 2

• Econ sanctions imposed by Br govt/UN failed
• US/Fr/Br companies continued supply of oil/goods to Rhodesians
• E. EU e.g. Yugoslavia brought machinery into Rhodesia
• Portuguese in East Afr enabled ports to bring oil etc to be imported into Rhodesia

Question 3

Division of major nationalist groups - ZANU/ZAPU

Answer 3

• Black nationalist groups spent much time fighting e/o as combatting Smith’s UDI troops:
  
  • ZANU led by Mugabe
  • ZAPU led by Nkomo
• Differences meant they were unable to unite against UDI
• No powerful forces against UDI meant they were able to continue for so long!

Question 4

Influence/help from S. Africa and apartheid regime

Answer 4

• Apartheid regime of SA gave support to UDI, through military aid in terms of military/artillery
• 1967 SA’s intervened, provided 2000 members of South African Police (SAP) to guide N border of Zambia
  
  • Provided additional aircrafts/pilot loans
  • Loaned army signallers who formed V troops - eavesdropped on all guerilla
• This enabled UDI to divert any influence that could threat/challenge UDI
• Well suppressed nationalist groups and ZANU/ZAPU