FrontPage : NNIGN The Last Word: Reading Guide on Sec 4/5 due Friday

Zimbabwe An African Nation Case Study

Objectives: Describe various aspects of the history, people, government and economy of Zimbabwe as a case study of African nations. Describe current issues in Zimbabwe, including hyperinflation and contested elections.

Zimbabwe – Geography Landlocked – no direct access to the ocean Mild climate + regular wet/dry seasons = very few droughts

The Kariba Dam – used to create hydroelectric power from the Zambezi river

Zimbabwe - People Population only about 12 million people 80% are Shona,19% are Ndebele Religion – 50% combined Christian/traditional, about 1/4 th Christian and about 1/4 th traditional

Zimbabwe – Political Development Originally was the site of ancient gold-trading kingdom (Great Zimbabwe)

Zimbabwe – Political Development British establish colony of Rhodesia in late 1890’s Named after Cecil Rhodes, an English businessman who promoted imperialism Whites take over best land, establish plantations

Zimbabwe – Political Development In the 1960’s, Britain begins switch to black majority rule (95%) in Rhodesia Whites objected to this In 1965 issue their own “declaration of independence” UN issues economic sanctions ; minority government stays in power

Zimbabwe – Political Development In the 1970’s, black nationalists groups begin a guerrilla war in Rhodesia In over 10 years, 20,000 people were killed In 1980, Rhodesia wins complete independence and black majority rule Changes name to Zimbabwe

Robert Mugabe A leader of the independence movement Becomes Zimbabwe’s PM and then President after independence; has been the country’s only ruler since then… Appears democratic (elections, political parties) **Mugabe has recently used more undemocratic actions to stay in power

Most recently In March of 2013, 95% of Zimbabweans voted for a constitutional change to limit the president’s power Two terms only, for example New elections in the summer of 2013 Mugabe won, but again there was a great deal of dispute in how the elections were carried out

Zimbabwe - Economy Large debt ($16 billion) caused by many factors Includes involvement in war with the Dem. Rep of Congo Unemployment rate - 70 % People below the poverty line – 70 % Land Redistribution – Program begun by Mugabe to give land held by whites to black Zimbabweans Is bringing blacks and whites into conflict in Zimbabwe Inflation – probably the worst in the world, perhaps all of history

Hyperinflation in Zimbabwe Caused by the war with the Congo and government mismanagement of the currency Highest point of inflation: Mid-November 2008 = 6.5 Sextillion (10 21 ) % In 2009, Zimbabwe abandoned its currency. As of 2013, Zimbabwe still has no national currency; currencies from other countries are used.

Largest Zimbabwean bank note…

Zimbabwe – Government Rankings Democracy – 136 th out of 150 nations Political rights – 6 out of 7 (bad) Civil liberties – 6 out of 7 (bad) Press Freedom – 128 th out of 150 Corruption – 138 out of 150 Economic Freedom – 162 nd out of 165 Worse nations are Libya, Cuba, and North Korea **How would you rate Zimbabwe’s government in terms of democracy and development (from A – F?)

Questions: What did the people try to change with their constitutional vote? What do some people think happened when the presidential election was held in July?