Ian Smith and UDI Sanctions: The Truth

The Essay “Why Sanctions Failed to Cripple the Rhodesian Economy by Anotida Chikumbu has sparked debate amongst economists, historians and political scientists. Whereas there is so much truth to the claim that Ian Smith was able to survive UN economic sanctions because of ISI the underlying truth behind these sanctions was the fundamental structural weaknesses within the application of these sanctions👌

[thomasf.]

When I grew up in Zimbabwe in the 80s most of the products in our home were locally made, from the tools in our garage, the clothes that I wore, the shoes on my feet, the building materials our house was made from, the cutlery in our kitchen and some of the appliances as well, including the kettle, the stove and the fridge (Kango, Monarch and Capri respectively). Food products such as breakfast corn flakes were also locally made. We ate Willard's not Kellog's corn flakes. Part of Mugabe's legacy was to reverse all of that. Only the most staunch Zanu Pf apologist can deny this reality. It is little wonder crowds gathered on the streets of Harare to celebrate his downfall. There was a lot that was wrong with Rhodesia, and I for one certainly do not wish it back, but economic development was something they got right. Perhaps something that future governments of the country would do well to emulate?

[robertgissy]

It was hard for the British to turn on Rhodesia because of there loyalty and support for the UK also the white population wanted to improve and develop the country for blacks and whites . .l have a friend who always tells everyone how wonderful the people and country we're before the terrorism started . The whites could easily just walked away but didn't and stayed and fought against all odds to keep law and order . Mr Mugabe stirred nothing but hate and ordinary citizens payed the price .

[keintjembrenda]

I heard zimbabwe became trillionaire i'm glad to hear, lets cheers for zimbabwe

[grumbeard]

That is indeed part of the story. Britain and the USA should they have chosen to would have been able to do it but a fairly large cost. Thus for the most part it was a non starter. What you also forget to see with the history of sanctions is that they are only instituted when a full on war is either unfeasable or costly in a way. I am inclined to believe Wilson was privately sympathetic to Rhodesia and possible said to Ian that he couldn't do much militarily if he wanted to. That is plausible. However Ian was probably shrewd enough to see this as well.

[arotogtech]

You have good points. True, Ian Smith knew how to run an economy. In my opinion, Ian Smiths economy never crashed or crumbled mainly because of two major things: Ian Smith never allowed his economy to fall under Bretton woon institutions like the IMF and 2nd, resultantly did not link his currency to IMF institutions. This is why the UK could not outrightly sink Ian Smiths economy through vicious sanctions. He maintained a strong currency and made sure the economy kept producing and never allowed IMF to lay its hands on his economy. This is why when Bob came in, the UK immediately begun a vicious attack on Bob and unscrewed Ian Smiths systems so they would trap and make Bob and his country, economy in their hands. Its why the zim dollar plunged so quickly coz Bob had his economy li key to Bretton wood

[willingmasiyandima]

Very true sir Chikumbu. On addition don't you think the issue of bursting sanctions has got something to do with time and space. i believe every government from a certain limited time it can be able to withstand the so-called sanctions but beyond that time it might not be able to do that. This might also be explained by the availability of internal resources and the strength of government policies that can be put in place to ensure its sustainability and viability in-spite of the imposed sanctions.

[oppositeproject]

they did not use military against them but the sanctions where real and had real effects

[Iolis]

Zambia, newly independent was, in 1965 host to two squadrons of RAF strike-aircraft. My father's Regiment - 2nd Battalion Scots Guards, based at Caterham Barracks, Surrey were, the designated Spearhead Battalion placed on 24 hours standby to fly out and seize the Kariba Dam Complex. The mechanics and infrastructure of military force by Britain were put into place at some considerable expense. If it was pure bluff by Wilson, then it was a very expensive bluff to the British taxpayer. British Pathe news Coverage (no sound) of the Zambian Military build-up by Britain is actually on U-Tube. An interview with Dennis Healey, Britain's then Seretry of State for Defence reveals that some disquite on the part of senior military officers was in evidence at the prospect of using military force against Europeans, many of whom had served in the British Armed Forces. Many junior officers had evinced an intention to tender their resignation if compelled to do so. Healey appears to have taken this on board and this, more than anything else, may be the real or at least dominant reason why force was never, in the end, deployed.

[longandshort]

Pamberi ZANU PF! The capital of Zimbabwe is no longer in Harare - it is in Swiss bank accounts in the name of ZANU PF members. Kkkk 😂😂😂😂

[remodesu]

Ian Smith wanted everybody to have an education and once they have that education they were given the privilege to vote why was that racism ???please explain that to me

[georgesimbanegavi]

please bring prof ramose mogobe from unisa