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Pros And Cons Of The Declaration Of Independence

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UDI BREAKDOWN OF NEGOTIATIONS The declaration of independence on November 11th was accompanied by the announcement of a new Rhodesian constitution which provided for the appointment of a Regent if the Queen , acting on the advice of the Rhodesian Government , did not appoint a Governor- General within a fortnight. The role of the Regent would be to act as a constitutional President. In response the Governor, Sir Humphrey Gibbs, dismissed Smith and his cabinet whilst the U.S. and Canadian governments withdrew their consular representatives. In London Mr. Wilson announced the immediate imposition of economic sanctions, including a tobacco ban, with the main intent of hurting rather than ruining the Rhodesian economy. In New York …show more content…

The Governor in Salisbury refused to leave his residence, Government House, and an attempt to evict him and send him to his farm near Bulawayo was frustrated when the Rhodesian Army and Air Force chiefs refused to cooperate. In London the debate over sanctions threatened to lead to splits in both the Conservative and Labour parties and, whilst most people aanticipated an early end to the crisis , in Mr. Wilson’s words “weeks rather than months” , the fear of a longer term struggle was a threat towards sustained national unity.At the United Nations Britain tabled a resolution calling on all nations to support Britain’s measures of economic and financial sanctions against the illegal regime. In London the Rhodesian High Commissioner, Brigadier Andrew Shaw, was given 48 hours notice to leave. Apart from token support from South Africa other African nations united in calling for increased economic action, the recognition of an African Rhodesian Government in exile and ultimately some form of military action including the arrest of Ian Smith. At the United Nations Security Council resolutions were submitted by Britain and also one by 36 African states which called for some form of military action to end the rebellion. Officials

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