NDEbele Kingdom
The final stage of Zimbabwe's history before a British takeover was a state called Matabeleland. This state was created from the remains of the Rowzi Kingdom.
Anyways, the rulers of this kingdom weren't from Zimbabwe to begin with. These people were from South Africa, belonging to an ethnic group called the Zulus. They were immigrants, fleeing the colonization of South Africa by the Netherlands and Britain and turned to Zimbabwe for a new place to live. Nevertheless, the Zulus fully integrated the native Kalanga peoples of the Rowzi kingdom. The kingdom became very powerful, and the Boers now inhabiting Transvaal, a section of South Africa even made a treaty with them. However, gold was found in the area just as the Portuguese had found gold in the Rowzi Kingdom's rule. The ruler of the kingdom, Mzilikali Khumalo died a year after the gold was found to make things worse. The son, Lobenbula decided to be greedy and gave large parts away to Britain in exchange for arms and wealth. And then the Rudd Concession came.
The Rudd Concession
The Rudd Concession was the first stage of British involvement in Zimbabwe. Britain made this document such that large portions of Zimbabwe would be taken away from Matabeleland for the British South Africa Company, disguised so that Matabeleland could gain weapons and supposed "wealth." Initially, the king of Matabeleland Lobenbula took the offer, but when he realized the offer meant that he'd lose control of the kingdom he declined. Lobenbula traveled to London and met with Queen Victoria to officiate that he wanted Matabeleland to be an independent nation. Queen Victoria agreed, but some people including Cecil Rhodes chose to ignore her. He eventually deemed that Lobenbula had agreed to the offer, and set himself about taking over Zimbabwe.
We must find new lands from which we can easily obtain raw materials and at the same time exploit the cheap slave labor that is available from the natives of the colonies. The colonies would also provide a dumping ground for the surplus goods produced in our factories.
- Cecil Rhodes
Matabele Wars
Soon after the British South Africa Company invaded Zimbabwe, Lobenbula decided to start a war and free Zimbabwe from British rule. Thus, the First Matabele war started. This war proved catastrophic for much of Matabeleland, destroying its capital, Bulawayo and killing Lobenbula. After this, it seemed that the country had no hope for freedom as their cities and leaders were gone. Nevertheless, the Matabele decided to rebel against the British again. This time, they had no leader and the conflict was more unorganized. Unfortunately, the Matabele lost again with more destructive effects. However, the Second Matabele war lives on in many Zimbabwean's minds as the first chimurenga, or Revolutionary Struggle. After this, Zimbabwe wouldn't see freedom again until the 1980's.
Highly criticized in the Matabele Wars was the British use of the Maxim gun, a machine gun that the Matabele had no match against. This made the First and Matabele wars less of actual wars and more massacres.
Highly criticized in the Matabele Wars was the British use of the Maxim gun, a machine gun that the Matabele had no match against. This made the First and Matabele wars less of actual wars and more massacres.
World War I and II
While still owned by the British South African Company, Zimbabwe did play a crucial role in both World Wars (but especially in the first.) At the time of the First World War, Zimbabwe (called Rhodesia at the time after Cecil Rhodes, the conqueror of Zimbabwe) was surrounded by the Congo (A Belgian colony, not really Rhodesia's problem,) Portuguese Southwest and East Africa (Now Mozambique and Angola,) South Africa, a British possession, German East Africa (Now Tanzania) , German West Africa (Now Namibia) , and Bechuara (A British possession, now Botswana.) This put Rhodesia in a tough spot. It would have to defend South Africa, Portuguese Southwest Africa and Bechuara from German West Africa as well as defending Portuguese East Africa from German West Africa, plus defending the Congo from both German African attacks, as well as defending itself from mainly German East African attacks. This defense of at least 5 countries plus itself made Rhodesia an important player in World War I. Rhodesians also were involved in the Western Front of the war in Europe, and were described to have more patriotic zeal than the actual British:
They are not only intensely British, but quite intolerably Rhodesian ... they exhibit a tendency to collect together, [and] are inclined to vaunt themselves, to be puffed up by the mere fact that they are Rhodesians.
Many Rhodesians of all races saw the war and their participation in it as a step towards self-independence, to make Rhodesia a country and not part of an empire. This attitude boosted many Rhodesians through the war with hope. The prospect of having racial unification by letting both Matabele and British forces join ranks in the army also fueled hope in the colony. Back to the defense of Southern Africa. Rhodesia played its part by invading both German Africas. The Rhodesians invaded Windhoek, the capital of German West Africa via Walvis Bay, a small strip of British territory surrounded by German territory. After that, the remaining forces went to German East Africa, where they were met with limited success considering the German East Africans using guerrilla tactics. Unfortunately, this was the last part of Rhodesian involvement in World War One.
After World War One, Zimbabwe underwent a name change, being granted the name "Southern Rhodesia" and being separated from Zambia, the other country comprising Rhodesia. The 20's and 30's passed, and in time various bills were passed allowing everyone, even blacks to vote if they had a salary over 150 pounds. South Rhodesia's economy boomed, and finally World War Two came along. South Rhodesia took a much more low-key role in this war as compared to their ancestor, Rhodesia. In fact, Rhodesia was barely involved at all what with-all the colonies of Germany gone. After World War Two ended, Rhodesia saw much more repression and racism develop in itself. This would lead to the events in the Cold War that would lead to Zimbabwe's independence.