rhodesia
Proper noun A historical name for a landlocked country in southern Africa. It was a self-declared independent republic (1965-1979) that was not internationally recognized, following a Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) from the United Kingdom. The territory achieved internationally recognized independence as the Republic of Zimbabwe in 1980.
The term "Rhodesia" is primarily used in a historical context to refer to the region and its political entity during the colonial and UDI periods. * The capital of Rhodesia was Salisbury (now Harare). * Many historical documents discuss the political conflicts in Rhodesia during the 1970s.
- Historical and Political Context: The name "Rhodesia" is derived from Cecil Rhodes, a British imperialist. Its use today often carries historical and political connotations related to colonialism and the struggle for majority rule. In modern discourse, it is considered anachronistic outside of historical discussion.
- The book provides an analysis of the Rhodesia era and its legacy in modern Zimbabwe.
- Southern Rhodesia: The official colonial name for the British territory from 1898 until the 1965 UDI.
- Zimbabwe-Rhodesia: The short-lived official name used for a few months in 1979 during the transition to majority rule.
- Rhodesian (adjective): Of or relating to Rhodesia.
- Rhodesian armed forces; Rhodesian history.
- (Historical) Southern Rhodesia
- (Modern) Zimbabwe (refers to the same geographic area post-1980)
The term specifically refers to the period from 1965 to 1979 when the white-minority government issued its Unilateral Declaration of Independence. Prior to 1965, it was the British colony of Southern Rhodesia. After 1980, it is the independent nation of Zimbabwe. The word is not used for the contemporary country.
- a landlocked republic in south central Africa formerly called Rhodesia; achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1980