The Liberation Struggle and Independence: notes

Why armed struggle

Peaceful protest, petitions and strikes did not win the vote or land. Leaders were banned and detained, so nationalists turned to war.

The Second Chimurenga

• ZANLA: the army of ZANU. It operated mainly from Mozambique.
• ZIPRA: the army of ZAPU. It operated mainly from Zambia.
• Ordinary people fed, hid and guided the fighters. Women and the mapostori (apostolic church members) also played important roles.

The road to independence

• Lancaster House Conference (1979): talks in London that agreed a ceasefire, a new constitution and elections.
• 1980 elections: won by ZANU PF under Robert Mugabe.
• 18 April 1980: Zimbabwe became independent.
• Reconciliation: the new government asked all races to live together peacefully.

Common mistake

Do not say ZANLA and ZIPRA were the same army. They belonged to different parties.