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

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 oceanMild climate + regular wet/dry seasons = very few droughts

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

Zimbabwe - PeoplePopulation only about 12 million people

80% are Shona,19% are Ndebele

Religion – 50% combined Christian/traditional, about 1/4th Christian and about 1/4th 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 thisIn 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 movementBecomes 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 recentlyIn 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 2013Mugabe 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 factorsIncludes 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 ZimbabweansIs bringing blacks and whites into conflict in Zimbabwe

Inflation – probably the worst in the world, perhaps all of history

Hyperinflation in ZimbabweCaused by the war with the Congo and government mismanagement of the currency

Highest point of inflation: Mid-November 2008 = 6.5 Sextillion (1021) %

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 RankingsDemocracy – 136th out of 150 nationsPolitical rights – 6 out of 7 (bad)Civil liberties – 6 out of 7 (bad)Press Freedom – 128th out of 150Corruption – 138 out of 150Economic Freedom – 162nd 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?