or over thirty years after its occupation Rhodesia was ruled by a commercial company under a Royal Charter, but the settlers gradually increased their influence. The first step took place in 1898 when it was envisaged that Southern Rhodesia would join a South African Federation; a Legislative Council was established with a minority of four elected members. In 1911 the white settlers gained a majority on the Legislative Council. Then in September 1923 Southern Rhodesia was formally annexed as a Colony of Great Britain and a month later a constitution giving the country responsible Government under the British Crown came into effect.

fter World War II the feeling grew among Rhodesians that some form of federation between Southern Rhodesia and Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland would promote the overall economic development of the three territories which were all experiencing a post-war boom. A conference of officials from the British Government and the three African territories was accordingly held in London during 1951 and drew up a detailed draft Federal Constitution. Negotiations led in September 1951 to conferences at Victoria Falls, and subsequently in London. The federal proposals were then submitted to all the Governments concerned. During April 1953 a referendum was held in Southern Rhodesia and the proposed federal constitution was accepted by a majority of the electorate, The Federation was brought into full effect in October 1953.

he Federal Government took over responsibility for economic, technical and many financial matters such as Defence, Communications, Posts and Telegraphs, Customs and Immigration, European Education at all levels, higher education for all races and Public Health. The territorial governments retained power over African Affairs, Local Government, Police Forces, Housing, Mining and Labour.

minority of Europeans in Southern Rhodesia was opposed to Federation as were most of the articulate Africans in the two northern territories, the Africans being dissatisfied because the goal of ‘partnership” had been substituted for ‘paramountcy” of African interests. In December 1962 the British Government’s agreement to the secession of Nyasaland indicated that it would no longer support the continuation of Federation, and on 31 December 1963 the Federation was formally dissolved.