Rhodesia (region) facts for kids
Rhodesia was a name used for a large area in southern Africa between the 1890s and 1980. It was first called Zambesia. This region was named and managed by a company called the British South Africa Company (BSAC). They governed it until the 1920s.
Rhodesia was split into two parts by a big river called the Zambezi. The land north of the Zambezi River was officially named Northern Rhodesia. This area became the country of Zambia in 1964. The land south of the Zambezi River was called Southern Rhodesia. This area became Zimbabwe in 1980. People sometimes called these two areas "the Rhodesias".
European settlers started using the name "Rhodesia" in the 1890s. They named their new home after Cecil Rhodes. He was the person who started the British South Africa Company. Newspapers began using the name in 1891, and the company made it official in 1895.
To make things a bit confusing, Southern Rhodesia called itself simply "Rhodesia" from 1964 to 1979. In 1965, it declared itself independent from the United Kingdom. This was called a Unilateral Declaration of Independence. Later, in 1979, it briefly changed its name to "Zimbabwe Rhodesia".
After Northern Rhodesia became Zambia in 1964, the name "Rhodesia" usually referred only to Southern Rhodesia. Since 1980, the name "Rhodesia" is mostly used when talking about history.
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How Rhodesia Got Its Name
When European settlers arrived in 1890, the areas that became "Southern Rhodesia" were known by different names. These included "Mashonaland" and "Matabeleland". The areas that became "North-Western Rhodesia" and "North-Eastern Rhodesia" also had other names.
At first, people called these lands "Zambesia" or "Charterland". The name "Rhodesia" was used informally by settlers from the very beginning. It became so common that newspapers started using it in 1891. In 1892, the first newspaper in Salisbury was even named The Rhodesia Herald.
The British South Africa Company officially adopted the name "Rhodesia" in May 1895. The British government then made it official in 1898.
The first official use of "Rhodesia" was actually for a small fort or camp called a boma. This camp was set up in 1892 near Lake Mweru. After "Rhodesia" became the official name for the larger territories in 1895, the camp's name was changed to "Kalungwishi".
Even though "Northern Rhodesia" was not an official name until 1911, people used it informally from 1895 onwards. This was to refer to the two northern territories together.
A Brief History of the Region
The land that was once Rhodesia went through many changes. It was governed by different groups over time. Here's a simple timeline of how the areas developed:
The Land That Became Zambia
- 1890: North-Western Rhodesia was managed by the British South Africa Company (BSAC).
- 1893: North-Western Rhodesia and North-Eastern Rhodesia became British protectorates. This means they were protected and controlled by Britain.
- 1897: North-Eastern Rhodesia was managed by the BSAC.
- 1899–1911: Barotziland-North-Western Rhodesia and North-Eastern Rhodesia were joined but managed separately.
- 1911–1924: The combined area became Northern Rhodesia, a protectorate under the BSAC.
- 1924–1953: Northern Rhodesia became a British protectorate, directly controlled by the British government.
- 1953–1964: Northern Rhodesia was part of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.
- 1964 onwards: Northern Rhodesia gained independence and became the country of Zambia.
The Land That Became Zimbabwe
- 1888–1894: Mashonaland and Matabeleland were BSAC protectorates.
- 1894–1895: Mashonaland and Matabeleland were combined and called South Zambezia.
- 1895–1901: The area was called Rhodesia, combined with North Zambezia.
- 1901–1923: South Zambezia separated from Northern Rhodesia and became Southern Rhodesia.
- 1923–1953: The BSAC's control ended. Southern Rhodesia became a British colony with self-rule. This meant it could govern itself in many ways.
- 1953–1963: Southern Rhodesia was part of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, keeping its self-rule.
- 1964–1965: The Federation ended. Southern Rhodesia remained a British colony with self-rule.
- 1965–1979: Southern Rhodesia declared its independence as Rhodesia. However, many countries did not recognize it as a real state. From 1970, it called itself a republic.
- 1979: It briefly became Zimbabwe Rhodesia under a new government, but this was also not widely recognized.
- 1979–1980: After an agreement called the Lancaster House Agreement, Southern Rhodesia was temporarily under British colonial rule again.
- 1980 onwards: Southern Rhodesia gained full, recognized independence and became the country of Zimbabwe.
