British Documents on End of Empire: Central Africa

Part II - Crisis and Dissolution: 1959-1965

Author:

Philip Murphy

Publisher:

TSO (The Stationery Office)

November 11 2005 marks the 40th anniversary of Southern Rhodesia's unilateral declaration of independence, which led to a 15-year struggle for freedom before Southern Rhodesia became independent as Zimbabwe in 1980.

This publication provides a detailed examination of British policy towards the three Central African territories Northern Rhodesia (Zambia), Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) and Nyasaland (Malawi) during the years 1945-1965.

At its heart is an account of one of the most controversial episodes in the twentieth century British colonial policy: the rise and fall of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (the Central African Federation).

Part II seeks to explain why the Federation was dismantled after only ten years. It examines the activities of political leaders who challenged British policy and traces the events that led to Nyasaland and Northern Rhodesia achieving their independence in 1964, and considers why the British Government failed to avert Southern Rhodesia's unilateral declaration of independence (UDI) on 11 November 1965.

A wide variety of other political, social and economic issues are also examined, from land ownership and labour relations to the impact of global politics and developments in neighbouring African States.

Key features:

• The 442 documents included in this publication, some of which have only recently been declassified, offer an unprecedented insight into the decolonisation of British Central Africa.

• They also shed light on subjects that have hitherto been shrouded in secrecy, including British planning for military intervention in the Federation and Southern Rhodesia, and the role of the intelligence community.

Extent	602 pages	ISBN	9780112905875
Size	160 x 259mm	Price	£150.00
Format	Hardback	Published	11 Nov 2005
Availability	Out of Print: but may be available to order	Delivery	Delivery options and charges