What If Rhodesia Survived? | Alternate History 

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From being the bread basket of Africa to famine and hyper inflation.

What did Zimbabweans use as a light source before candles? Electricity. :)

"What if Rhodesia survived?" You missed a perfect opportunity to ask "What if Rhodesia never died?"

Oi, what if the US kept the Panama Canal?

Imagine building a small bit of Europe in Africa that the natives never settled and then having to give it back to the natives and watch it fall to ruin.

I personally think if Rhodesia had survived. It would have some of the best nature reserves and bio diversity in the world. And less poaching.

An important point you missed was brought up in "Bitter Harvest", the book that Ian Smith wrote. Right at the start it is mentioned that had the Boers not won out in the election just after WW2 in South Africa, the likelihood that SA (and by extension Rhodesia) would have opened their doors to the millions of displaced Europeans is incredibly high. In doing so it likely would've not been a sizable minority in SA and a negligible one in Rhodesia, but in fact a majority in SA and very large minority in Rhodesia.

If Rhodesia survived, it would be a lawful economic power house in Southern Africa. Lifting all the countries that border it. A win win for the whole region.

I used to co-teach with a lady from Rhodesia. She was 18 when Rhodesia collapsed. She told me as she had to escape the country they weren’t afraid of Mugabe’s troops, in fact they were kind to her and her sister. But the ones they were terrified of were the Chinese and the North Korean troops.

Long ago I watched a documentary, hosted by a black American, on the progress of independent African countries. In Zimbabwe he was dumbfounded by the native Bantu peoples who said they preferred white minority rule as they all had jobs, money, schooling, peace and far less corruption especially in government. A few years ago I was in hospital and one of the nurses was from Zimbabwe (Shona people). She fled due to the dire poverty, corruption, high inflation and incessant violence. She said to me she wished to go back to the Rhodesia of her parents and grandparents.

I'm honestly surprised that the US and UK took such a harsh stance against Rhodesia in its fight against literal communists considering the regimes that they supported in Central and South America during this time in the name of anti-communism.

Ian Smith and Rhodesia: Everything the world feared this man would do, Mugabe did. Once again, the international community ruined a country. Mugabe, the marxist, ruined both Rhodesia and Zimbabwe while Ian ruined neither. The international community isolated Rhodesia, leaving them helpless against "guerrilla fighters"/terrorists, which proved deadly for all groups. At least Rhodesia had tribal reservations and tribal land purchases, which is far less horrible than the situations Mugabe put both blacks and whites through... Even in Canada there's demographic rules for Quebecois which are there to maintain the Quebecois population percentage, Mugabe didn't do that with white Rhodesians who were born there, he took everything from them and essentially forced them to leave and wonder the world pretending to be south africans. It's kind of just a fact life would be better if Rhodesia still existed

It's a long way...to Mukumbura...

This is going to make one side of the viewership sad over what was lost, and the other mad that you even reference Rhodesia.

My Grandfather fought in the rhodesian Bush war as a volunteer after doing his national service in the british army. Good video by the way!

This is one of the more fair assessments of Rhodesia from what I've seen. Most people, as soon as they hear the name "Rhodesia", rush to a mic and just do the equivalent of screaming "EVIL" like that character from spongebob.

Here's the story of Rhodesia...a land both fair and great...

What A Time It Was...

What's 50 Cent's name in Zimbabwe? $2,000

We all know what would've happened if Rhodesia would still exist. It would 100% be the most economically powerful and prosperous country in Africa. Rhodesians never die!

Africa would have been a beacon of modern society if Rhodesia survived. RIP Rhodesia, gone but not forgotten.

Rhodesians never die

if any country deserved to survive throughout history, it was rhodesia.

Did it survive? No. Is it alive in my heart? ,-_- yes

Great video mate. 🙏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻 As a white Zimbabwean of British descent ( formerly Rhodesian ) your video was very well informed about my country and made with a lot of key facts and possible/alternative outcomes. Great work. 👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻👍🏻👌🏻🇿🇼🇿🇼🇿🇼🇬🇧🇬🇧

I was a deputy in the jail in Norfolk, Va. We had an ex RLI solider as a prisoner. Dude was very old. But went into a bank and robbed it with a shotgun. RLI was some crazy people, really crazy kill ratio.

My brother originally moved to Rhodesia in 1978. He left when the violence became too much and moved to South Africa which is now well on the same route unfortunately I asked him why both countries had been treated the way they had been. The vitriol and hatred from countries like the U.K. who happily used their population to fight Britains wars His answer was ‘because that’s what they wanted and Europe is going to go the same way’ I thought he was bonkers when he said it. Turns out he was completely right

The long awaited remake, let’s goo!

If Rhodesia survived, it would be one of the best examples of a successful African country that other African countries could've replicated Edit: I'm very pleased to see that this comment angered the right people Rhodesians Never Die

16:36 I vaguely remember a Rhodeisan guy saying Ian Smith was initially interested in this very idea, unfortunately it never happened. 😕

The fall of Rhodesia is the biggest tragedy of Africa in the 20th century

Yey we are free, let's swim to Europe

It would have been one of the most unique countries in the world

Rhodesia would have a considerable migrant crisis due to having the most highly advanced economy in Africa and ironically also for holding the best living standards for Black Africans in Africa. It would have considerable tensions with the west due to a commitment to 19th century values and would likely see white immigration disproportionately from disenfranchised right wing westerners. Due to all this it would likely ironically have a close relationship to China who would have less ideological issues with the country even if Rhodesia itself likely would be a lot colder towards cooperation due to the hatred of communism. The place was a regional power even with the world against them so they undoubtedly would still be one. The amount of hatred for them in the west would be almost unimaginably as they would be a physical representation of the things that are currently demonized by the left, it wouldn't help that they would be the one of the most notable and powerful countries in Africa in large part simply by the fact of white leadership, and like Israel they would likely have a very impressive military which totally outmatchs all local threats combined despite being massively outnumbered. Nukes would also piss off America to no end as they won't be able to get involved in their usual nonsense. If apartheid still ended in South Africa guess where all the whites, Indians and Black minorities would go, South Africa would probably be even worse than it is without them. I'll go out on a limb and say that they would probably also be the only country to official recognise Somaliland.

R is for the regiments who fight the winning fight...

12:18 Where’s Alsace? German: “It’s Elsaß-Lothringen”. 😎👍

I grew up in Ghana and it's just sad to see Africa being destroyed by Africans. You look at how backward things have become and just have to shake you're head.

I feel sorry for the Rhodies.

Don't think Botswana would need to be passiefied, would definitely be stable on its own assuming Seretse Khama still comes into power in this timeline. The only reason he remained unaligned was because of the KGB(mostly them) and CIA being trigger happy. So in a more western aligned southern Africa he has no reason to remain unaligne.

If Rhodesia had survived there would be a MAJOR immigration problem. Cause the rest of Africa which is a sespit would have tried to get in - period.

Man I love all these African alt histories, but there one i want to see more than others. Day 57 of asking for what if the Zulu beat the British out of South Africa

As one who lived in the country for 38 years both as Rhodesia in it's various stages and subsequently Zimbabwe, I found your video clip both interesting and informative. However there is one perhaps key point which I think the narrator overlooked and that was the attitude of the indigenous African population. For the most part we "whites" found those we most clearly relied on, to be loyal, hard working and we believed to be trustworthy, yet perhaps we disregarded one key element of the native workforce. That element was that the largely less educated African would tell the "white" employer what was believed, was wanted to hear rather than the actual truth. I realise that some may immediately identify me as "racist", which is not the case, I assure you. In my case, in1984,(after official "independence") my family moved to a small farm some 34 kms from the capital. We employed some 30 Africans in various capacities for the 8 years that we lived there. During that time I, who was most actively involved in the day to day running of the farm, naturally found several of the labour force to have more advanced skills, than others and such individuals became those one relied on most. One in particular I thought to be the most trustworthy and of above average intelligence and he became one of the most valued workers we had. Admittedly we never really had any deep conversations about politics as employers seldom do with their employees. It was just assumed that the employees' views were reasonably akin to those of the employer. It came as something of an "uncomfortable surprise" to me, after leaving the farm in 1992, that the said valued employee, was in fact also a senior ranking member of the local branch of "Mugabe's" radical(to most whites) political party "Z.A.N.U", then in power. I suppose that a fact that many overlook or simply ignore, is that whilst a colonial or even an "occupying" power may believe that they have subjugated the local population, there will always be an element of resentment by the locals against the unwelcome overlords..!

It's worth noting that, first of all that Rhodesia didn't want to be in this central African Federation, they wanted to be a dominion, they agreed to join the CAF under the caveat that should it fail and dissolve, then all member states would receive independence, as was promised, Zambia was granted their independence, so was Malawi, but Rhodesia was not in spite of the agreement, this is largely due to a Labour government winning in the UK and dancing merrily towards Moscows tune

More people will be alive and there would never have been famines.

Zimbabwe, what a sad, sad history! Dictators, especially communist dictators are not healthy for a country (or even its neighbours). Rhodesia fell so far! Thank you so much for exploring this alternate timeline.

What if Rhodesia survived, more like what if Malawi was huge

It went from "Bread Basket" to "Basket case"!

“I’m from Rhodesia”, “Wait what! Don’t we say Zimbabwe now?!”

Anyone who doesn’t realize that Rhodesia was a domino that has continued until now all across the world is neglecting real history.

The way this Yank pronounced Malawi💀

It would be sooo much better because Rhodesia just sounds better. “Zimbabwe”…..

The moment Mozambique and Angola became independent Rhodesia would not be able to survive. It was only a question of time. Even South Africa apartheid would not be able to survive. Facts confirmed that expectation.

What if the Boere Afrikaners (Boers) declared a new Boer republic(Volkstaat) today. (Vryburger Beweging)

Ian Smith apparently lamented that if only Salazar could have stayed in power a few more years, the tide of the Bush War would have turned. This video made my day. Long live Rhodesia!!!

Monsieur, I cringed every time you say ''Mallawy'' lol. It's pronounced ''Ma-LA-wi'' with the emphasis on the second syllable.

I was born in the mid 90's and I could tell you that we were the last generation to enjoy the fruits of Rhodesia. In 1st grade, I remember very clearly receiving a 5 cent rabbit coin that would last me a week up until 3rd grade when I won first price in my grade and the school gave me a red $500 note with a shiny ribbon. I remember companies coming to school giving us free gifts from food to stationary to clothes and entertainment during classes and man I was born and lived in the ghetto suburbs! But I also remember when it all went to sh*t right around 5th grade and we started using bearers cheques and what not. 7th & 8th grades were the worst as they coincided with a famine in 2007 and political instability of 2008. Not even gonna mention the hyperinflation of the century in 08. I watched it all right up until I took part in the 1 million man march on 17 Novermber, 2017 hoping that things were finally getting better and that the youth would take the country to the next stage of Zimbabwe's evolution. Many people believed we had won when Mugabe was ousted. For the first time in years, I believed there was a bright future. Fast forward a few months and I couldn't afford 50 cents transport money to go to a job interview to which I had to hike a stranger's car and got rejected at the gate because I couldn't grease the wheels of the security guard nor neither did I have "anyone on the inside." Simply being qualified wasn't enough! The last time I was in Zimbabwe, I spent 2 weeks hiding in the ceiling after the riots of January 19th, 2019 and when I got the chance to get out of Zimbabwe I went to the whitest country far far far away from home and established a life there and never looked back. I haven't been home in 4 years and I don't know when I'm ever gonna go back even though I can but I'm loved here, I'm flourishing here and I only think of Zimbabwe when I look at my life and think, how else would it have turned out had I not left? Home is home and I long for things to be better there, to use all my knowledge and skills for the getting Zim back on track to 1st place.

Quite the interesting take, I've got a suggestion for a video... what if the Battle of Peking and Boxer Rebellion as a whole sparked a far larger conflict with the Eight-Nation Alliance and having the Qinq unilaterally and outright supporting the Boxers from the onset.

Imagine a country where infrastructure was perfect, economy strong and social services better than Europe.

Rhodesia fans in the comments talking like they lived in that country lmao thats like me saying I lived in Argentina before

"For principle we made a stand. Courageous People, Splendid Land."

If Rhodesia still existed all the black people in Zimbabwe would be done, the English would be doing there what the French are doing in west africa.

Gonna be a completely rational non racist comment. A timeline with Rhodesia probably would’ve been better overall for the surrounding nations and it’s black inhabitants. The spread of communism would’ve been stalled if not drawn to a complete halt a lot faster because of heavy western influence right there. With the education system economy available to more natives and more job opportunities (if everything went well) could’ve been a beacon of racial unity in Africa.

Rhodesia had a right to exist.

Zimbabwe, Haiti, South Africa. The list goes on and there is one common denominator.

I am fascinated by the Hudsons bay company, british east India company (I think the Dutch had one as well) and this one I just learned about. The principle behind:" fuck it lets control all of this in the name of business" its really something!

"what a time it was" "So few friends to turn to"

This is one of those … “too bad this didn’t go another way” moments in history.

Here's the story of Rhodesia, A land both fair and great. On the Eleventh of November, An Independent State. This was much against the wishes Of certain governments, Whose leaders tried to break us down And make us all repent. But we're all Rhodesians and we'll fight through thick and thin. We'll keep our land a free land from the enemy coming in. We'll keep them north of the Zambesi, till that river's running dry, And this mighty land will prosper, for Rhodesians never die.

Make Zimbabwe Rhodesia Again!

Then it would be a normal country. Make Zimbabwe Rhodesia again.

During best of times, the Rhodesian dollar was on-par with Sterling. During the worst of times, the Zimbabwean dollar exceeded Weimar levels of inflation. So sad for a country that held so much promise at independence.

8:18 chad gang: Portugal, Israel, Japan, Persia and Rhodesia

Easier for the British and US governments to cut deals with corrupt Zimbabwe dictators than to have to negotiate a fair trade agreement with the Rhodesian government.

CAUSE' WE'RE ALL RHODESIANS AND WE WILL FIGHT THROUGH THICK AND THIN TO KEEP OUR LAND A FREE LAND OF THE ENEMY COMIN' IN WE'LL KEEP EM NORTH OF THE ZAMBEZI TILL THAT RIVERS RUNNING DRY AND THIS MIGHTY LAND WILL PROSPER FOR RHODESIANS NEVER DIE

What do you mean this is alternate history? Rhodesians never die!

I don't think Rhodesia was in a position to survive in any scenario however if 'Zimbabwe Rhodesia' had survived another year I believe it would have received recognition and support from the Reagan administration

What if Prussia Survived?

What a time it was

These Rhodesian never die!! As a great man once said Keep your britain and I will keep my Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 Musavaone kuphava...

Rhodesia could not have survived. The white people only made up 5% of the population. Why would anyone from Europe want to move to Africa when they could move to America instead? Birth rates among Europeans was declining from the 50s onwards as well. The only way Rhodesia could have survived is through genocide. The same would have to happen to South Africa as well. A future prosperous Rhodesia in the later 20th century or 21st century would attract African immigration from neighbouring countries as well (like today's European countries with their mass immigration), making the prospect even more difficult. It would have to deal with neighbouring countries which are hostile to it. Foreign recognition of Rhodesia wouldn't change the make up of the country and those anti colonialist guerrillas would still exist due to Soviet and Maoist Chinese support.

Israel is a great example of what happens when a super power holds onto a colonial client state for to long. What happened to Rohdisia is exactly why Israel is terrified of losing the United States as an allie. Both of these countries could not and cannot support themselves without an endless supply of military support. when the cost of upkeeping an apartheid colony is too much for the investors of the colony because of economic destabilization caused by conflict, the investors pull out. If the people of an area don't want to be ruled by a foreign power, eventually the struggle for self determination will be too much for the occupying force to maintain.

Let’s go! Thank you, good sir :D really appreciate it, turns out I asked just at the right time for a remake of the What if Rhodesia survived.

Rhodesian Sigma Grindset

Once you're a Rhodesian no other land will do

A once respectable country given up to a people that let it go to hell

You are not a Rhodesian, you're a 16 year old living in North Dakota

Rhodesia, coming to America and Europe soon

The cruelest thing the Europeans ever did to Africa was leave it.

Love your content! Your videos are awesome!

The amount of Apartheid-sympathizing in these comments is horrendous

I remember barrack 177, how we polished up the windows and the floor...

All these years later & they still have not surpassed the quality of life for ALL its citizens then all thise years ago. How crazy is that? Everyone lived better than and better education

The UK had a lot of blood on its hands, especially after Muzorewa was elected as Prime Minister. The UK should have supported the new Govt entirely in order to continue the fight against the Socialist-backed rebels. The entire West was fighting the cold war against just such regimes everywhere else, so why not in Rhodesia? The UK purposefully ignored the situation in order to focus on its cold-war, anti Soviet doctrine. All they needed to do was lift the sanctions and allow Rhodesia (under Muzorewa) to continue the fight. It would have survived and prospered.

Wasn't Malawi called Nyassaland in the time of the CAF?

I'll join in the fun with the Rhodesian songs. "Thank you girl for waiting, while I went on many stints..."

the good ending: rhodesia and sourh africa remain as they once were

It would not have survived.

Rhodesia: exists with a white government because the locals werent educated enough (the government planned to educate the locals and integrate them into the government, he said it himself) Britain and some dunks on the internet: hey buddy, why are you racist?

If the US supported Rhodesia the same way they support Israel, Rhodesia would still be here.