Cecil Rhodes (1853-1902) was the main factor in determining the economic and political structure of todays Zimbabwe (modern day Rhodesia). In the late 19th century, Cecil Rhodes, along with a multitude of armed white settlers, invaded the country of present-day Zimbabwe. All resistance was crushed and the British South African Company was created; this later became the basis for colonization of the entire country. Once Cecil gained control of the diamond and gold industry, he soon gained political power and eventually became the political leader of the area. He soon after disregarded African rights to the land and developed a mandatory labor in the mines that he created. Soon after, Rhodes controlled 90% of the worlds diamond production under De Beers Consolidated Mines, Ltd. The political dictatorship that Cecil Rhodes initiated at the time was to continue; Rhodes political system dominated present-day Zimbabwe under British rulers until 1980 when it finally gained independence. Rhodes started an 80-year rule by corrupt and greedy entrepreneurs whos only goals were that of personal net worth and complete political dominance.What I already know:-Cecil Rhodes was a very wealthy man because he had a monopoly of the worlds diamond production; he also controlled many gold mines, which contributed to his wealth-Rhodes took the area that he sought to control by force and forced the local people to work in the mines that he controlled.-Present-day Zimbabwe was a prosperous, self-governed area ever since the 12th century until the arrival of such settlers as Rhodes. -Zimbabwe is a land-locked countryWhat I would like to know: -How did the local people finally break free of the long British rule?-Have local conditions changed for the better since the countrys independence in 1980?-What is the current economic status of the country; how has British rule (initiated by Rhodes in the late 19th century) influenced the economic stability of the ...
