MIDLANDS STATE UNIVERSITY
HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT
MODULE OUTLINE
MODULE TITLE: ECONOMY AND SOCIETY IN ZIMBABWE
SINCE 1890(HDS 211)
The module surveys social, economic and political developments in Zimbabwe since
colonization in 1890, to the present. It comprises two sections: the colonial and
postcolonial era. It starts with a survey of the early years of colonial rule under the
auspices of the British South Africa Company and subsequent efforts at capitalist
development. The module analyses the political economy of British colonialism and
concludes with an analysis of the postcolonial period. Attention will be given to specific
case studies that illuminate trends in economic and social developments in the country
over the years.
1.The foundation of Zimbabwe’s colonial economy.
This segment traces the establishment of a colonial economy in Zimbabwe and examines
the activities the activities of the BSAC between 1890 and 1923. Emphasis is on the
development of mining and capitalist agriculture by the early 1920`s with focus on land
and labour policies.
2.Responsible government: 1923 to World War II.
The segment addresses the role of the state in the development of the pillars of settler
agriculture, namely tobacco and maize. Focus is on production, market crisis the impact
of the 1930`s depression and state response to the crisis in agriculture and settler
unemployment. The segment also discusses the Land Apportionment Act.
3.From World War II to UDI: 1939-1965.
This section deals with the economy during and after the war. It examines the impact of
the war on the pillars of the economy and also traces economic developments that
culminated in the Native land Husbandry Act in 1951. Labour struggles and the impact of
the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland on developments in colonial Zimbabwe will
also be examined.
4. UDI and the Rhodesian economy.
The section examines the impact of economic sanctions on the social and economic
development of the country.
5.African Nationalism and the Second Chimurenga.
The section gives a background to the rise of Mass Nationalism and discusses the
Liberation struggle, counter insurgency and role of the Masses in the war.
6. The post-colonial experiece: 1980-2005.
This section addresses crucial economic, social and political developments in postcolonial Zimbabwe under the following themes.
 The state and idigenisation drive
 ESAP
 The state and the land issue
 Zimbabwean politics since independence
Munhande c
MIDLANDS STATE UNIVERSITY
HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT STUDIES
READING LIST: ECONOMY AND SOCIETY IN ZIMBABWE HDS 211.
Barber j, Rhodesia: The road to rebellion.
Chanaiwa d, The occupation of Southern Rhodesia: A study of Economic Imperialism
Galbraith js Crown and Charter: Early years of the BSAC.
Ranger TO, The African voice in Southern Rhodesia: 1898-1930.
-------------- Revolt in Southern Rhodesia.
---------------Peasant consciousness and Guerilla War in Zimbabwe.
---------------Revolt in Southern Rhodesia: 1896-1897: A study in African resistance.
Van Onselen C, Chibaro: African Mine 1900-1933.
Arrighi G, “ labour supplies in historical perspectives: A study of the proletarianisation of
the African Peasantry in Southern Rhodesia” Journal of development studies, no 3,April
1970.
Beach DN, “ The Shona economy: Branches of production”, Roots of Rural Poverty.
Bhebhe N, Burombo.
------------ The ZAPU and ZANU Guerilla Warfare.
Floyd BW, “Land Apportionment in Southern Rhodesia” Geographical Review, 52,
1962.
Hole HM, Our Rhodesian Days.
Phimister IR, “Rhodes Rhodesia and the Rand”, Journal of Southern African Studies,
1974.
----------------“The Shamva mine Strike of 1922: An Emerging Proletariat” Rhodesian
History, 2, 1971
----------------An Economic and Social History of Zimbabwe 1890-1948.
----------------The Reconstruction of the Southern Rhodesian Gold Mining industry: 19031910.
Rifikind M,” Land Apportionment in Perspective “Rhodesian History, vol. 3
Gann LH, The Southern Rhodesia Land Apportionment Act, 1930: An Essay in
Trusteeship, Occasional Paper, 1963
Hulec D, “Some Aspects of the 1930s in Rhodesia” Journal of African Affairs 1, 1971
Brand CM, “Politics and African Trade Unionism in Rhodesia since the Federation”
Rhodesian History 2, 1971
Bulman ME, The Native Land Husbandry Act of Southern Rhodesia: A Failure in Land
Reform
Creighton TRM, The Anatomy of Partnership
Faber Story of the Rhodesias and Nyasaland
Franklin H, Unholy Wedlock: Failure of the Central African Federation
Keatley P, The politics of partnership
Ellert H, The Rhodesian Front War
Good CR, UDI: The international politics of the Rhodesian politics
Handford J, Portrait of an Economy: Rhodesia under sanctions.
Harris C, “Political and Economic effects of Sanctions on Rhodesia” World Today,
January 1967.
Jardin J, Sanctions Double-cross: Oil to Rhodesia.
Krigger J, Zimbabwe’s guerilla War
Martin D, The struggle for Zimbabwe
Strack HR Sanctions: The case of Rhodesia
Pangeti ES, “The Economy Under Siege: Sanctions and the Manufacturing sector”
Zimbabwe: A history of manufacturing1890-1995.
Kriger N, Zimbabwe’s guerilla war: Peasant voices.
Raftopoulos B, Cites of struggle: Essays in Zimbabwe’s Urban History
Sithole M, Zimbabwe’s struggle within the struggle
Banana C, Turmoil and Tenacity
Gray R, The Two Nations
Moyana HV, The political economy of land in Zimbabwe
Palmer R, Land and Racial Domination in Rhodesia
Scott P,” Migrant workers in Southern Rhodesia “The Geographical Review, 44, 1954