Perhaps as a response to foreign intrusions in southern Africa, Shaka of the Zulu and Nguni clan, set about creating a centralized militaristic state in the early 19th century.
Surrounding peoples who did not voluntarily agree to absorption into the growing Zulu empire had no option but to flee for survival. Three of these groups were to make a forceful impact on Zambia, km to the north of the Zulu heartland in eastern South Africa. In David Livingstone, a 27 year old Scottish doctor and ordained minister, sailed from Britain to the Cape to work as a medical evangelist with the London Missionary Society.
He was to open central Africa to the gaze of British imperialists. Meanwhile, Portugal was planning to consolidate its African territories by uniting Angola and Mozambique across the central plateau. The Federation was dissolved in , its only enduring monument the Kariba Dam across the Zambezi, intended by the federalists to bind Northern and southern Rhodesia forever.
Then at midnight on 24th October , Zambia became an independent republic with him as president. The one-party state was abolished and free elections were held in October In an election saw the removal of Kenneth Kaunda, the abolishing of the one-party regime, and the succession of Fredrick Chiluba to the presidency. Zambia's economy improved greatly with favourable economic reform under the then president Chiluba.
Inflation was brought down to the single digits. Since the BSA Company years, Zambia has been largely dependent on Copper exports, which is why the economy suffered greatly when copper prices dropped in the 's. Each issue has a destination update, loads of information about conservation and wildlife, specials offers, traveller tips, community projects, website highlights and tons more Find out more about our Bush Telegraph.
Don't worry. Your e-mail address is totally secure. Return from Zambia History page to our home page. About Us. Client Feedback. At the time of federation there are no Africans on Nyasaland's legislative council. Two years later, in , places are found for five members. The intended economic benefits materialize during the early years of the federation, helped by a world rise in copper prices, but this is not enough to stifle increasing political unrest - particularly as British colonies elsewhere in Africa win independence beginning with Ghana in In the early s African politicians in Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland win increasing power in their legislative councils.
The pressure grows to break up the federation. In March , by which time all three colonies are demanding independence, the British government finally concedes. The federation is formally dissolved on 31 December The steps towards independence: to In retrospect the progress towards independence in Northern Rhodesia achieved in under the new name of Zambia can be seen to span nearly twenty years.
The first African political party is the African National Congress, formed in by members of welfare societies established during World War II in mining communities and rural districts. Ten years later, under the federal government of , the demands of the ANC are too timid for a radical younger generation, determined by now to achieve an independent African state.
Kaunda deploys this organization in a campaign of civil disobedience against the prevailing policy of federation. His activities soon land him in gaol. In a wave of enthusiasm the new party acquires , members within six months - causing it, and Kaunda as its leader, to be recognized by the British authorities as the main political voice of Northern Rhodesia's African population.
They emerge with agreement on a political process scheduled to lead towards independence. In elections in October UNIP emerges as the party with the largest number of seats in the legislative council fifteen out of thirty-seven.
But they face strong opposition from the federal government in Salisbury and, initially, from the white population of Northern Rhodesia. During Kaunda works patiently to reassure his European opponents that their interests will be respected in an independent African state. Early in , after the dissolution of the federation, elections are held on the basis of universal adult suffrage. Kaunda, taking charge as executive president of the new nation independent from October , begins a career of almost three decades in that position.
In the early years of independence Zambia's economy flourishes. The mineral rights of the British South Africa Company now accrue to the state. And copper prices rise dramatically, largely because of the needs of the Vietnam War. But the economy takes a serious downturn during the s. There is a major collapse in the price of copper in , while the cost of imported oil soars.
Even more significant is the damage caused by Zambia's proximity to Rhodesia. With the declaration of UDI by Ian Smith, in , Zambia becomes the frontline state in Africa's struggle against this act of white supremacy. Kaunda takes a lead in opposing the Smith regime - a stance which includes offering safe havens to guerrilla forces operating across the borders against Rhodesia, but which also invites armed retaliation by Rhodesian forces.
Even more significant is the economic consequence of being a land-locked neighbour of a nation which the international community is trying to isolate, after the imposition of UN sanctions on Rhodesia in Rhodesia has in the past been Zambia's main trading partner. It has also been the route by which Zambia's copper travels to the sea at Beira.
Now an expensive railway link has to be constructed, with a massive Chinese loan, to the distant port of Dar es Salaam. These difficulties cause Kaunda to impose a state of emergency. With regular renewals by parliament, this evolves gradually into a state of normality.
Kaunda's rule becomes increasingly authoritarian. Political opponents are harassed. In a new constitution turns Zambia into a one-party state. By the late s the economy is in such a decrepit state that there are food riots in several towns. Finally, in , the national assembly withdraws the ban on political parties other than UNIP.
Multiparty elections are held in October of this year. Their startling result gives Kaunda and Zambia undeniable credit, rare in Africa at this time, for high electoral standards.
In the elections Kaunda's party, UNIP, is left with less than one sixth of the seats in the national assembly. The s remain a time of great difficulty for Zambia. Copper suffers a further decline in value.
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