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Lions and Butterflies-Rhodesian Survival TL Planning Thread (UPDATED)

Here, to all of my AHer Friends, I present my favorite timeline so far, and one close to my heart. It's not much yet, but it is interesting to me.

In this timeline, The Republic of Rhodesia Survives and expands into a larger federation. In this thread I will post several items, beginning with the beginning of the first draft of the timeline:

Lions and Butterflies: Timeline
· December 18, 1974: Ian Smith, President of Rhodesia, is assassinated by Joshua Nkomo’s ZANLA Forces. This event, the climax in a line of disagreements between ZANLA and China, results in the severing of ties between the two.
· December 20, 1974: A reeling Nkomo, desperate for support after the loss of his Chinese funding, launches a raid against a Rhodesian ‘Rest and Relaxation’ Camp. In the firefight, several US Intelligence officers are killed whilst undercover. The USSR secretly begins to supply Nkomo’s forces as well as their own Robert Mugabe.
· December 24, 1974: Despite initial hesitation in supporting the Rhodesian state, the PRC and USA both begin to support the Rhodesian-Front Government, now led (unofficially) by Smith’s Lieutenant, Abel Muzowera. This agreement to stop Soviet power in the region is known as the Christmas Accord. Mao is initially hesitant, but agrees after further talks.
· January 10, 1975: After continued pressure from both the US and PRC, the Rhodesian government holds an emergency election for the post of Prime Minister. The Chinese and Americans force a ‘one person, one vote’ policy for both black and white Rhodesians in order to weaken their opponents’ position. All parties other than the Rhodesian front are banned from the polls. Abel Muzowera is chosen as one of five candidates for Prime Minister supported by the Rhodesian Front Party.
· January 11, 1975: After a landslide victory, Muzowera is sworn in as Rhodesia’s first black Prime Minister. This action leads to a swelling of volunteers into the armed forces, as Black Africans feel acknowledged by the Muzowera administration. The Chinese and Americans continue to increase funding to the Rhodesians, whilst Joshua Nkomo and Robert Mugabe receive funding from the USSR.
· March 13, 1975: After much negotiating and convincing, NATO begins to trade with Rhodesia, with the exception of Great Britain.
· March 14, 1975-November 30, 1982: The Rhodesian Bush War continues for seven years, causing massive death tolls and destruction in the country. Prime Minister Muzowera calls and wins three more elections for Prime Minister. The USSR, however pulls out its support from the failing rebellion in the country, and focuses instead on supporting its failing puppet state in Afghanistan. The USA follows suit to counter the Soviet threat. Only the PRC remains in Rhodesia.
· February 8, 1983: The forces of ZANU and ZAPU finally succumb to Sino-Rhodesian forces after a raid kills both Mugabe and Nkomo. Prime Minister Muzowera pushes his people’s tired advantage with Chinese support, and annexes Nyasaland, Northern Rhodesia, and Mozambique after inciting pro-Rhodesian rebellions in all three. This is condemned by the USSR and some African powers, but no country acts against Rhodesia.
· February 23, 1983: After the conclusion of the annexation process, peace is declared, and the country begins an arduous reform and reconstruction process with Chinese support. The country is renamed the Central African Federation of Rhodesia and the capitol of Salisbury is renamed Karanga. The Rhodesian Military equips itself with the Steyr AUG and AUG HBAR as its primary assault rifle and automatic rifle, respectively.
· March 3, 1983-June 1985: After an exaggerated political uprising in Madagascar, it is annexed by the CAF. An ensuing rebellion and counterinsurgency continues for two years, but is settled by the populace’s lack of a will to fight.
· July 2, 1985: A minor border dispute results in a skirmish between Rhodesia and South Africa, fueled by South Africa’s mediocre support of Rhodesia during the Bush War.
· October 18, 1985: The conflict between Apartheid South Africa and Rhodesia ends in an ambiguous peace. Neither side gains much from the conflict.
· November 3, 1985: Prime Minister Muzowera steps down from office, and an election is held for Prime Minister.
· December 1, 1985: Enoch Dumbutshena is elected Prime Minister of Rhodesia by a slim margin, and takes power successfully.
· December 10, 1985: Zaire, under President Joseph Mobutu, launches a surprise attack against Rhodesia in an attempt to seize the nation’s vast resources. China and France condemn the invasion, but no other countries respond.
· December 11, 1985: Rhodesia officially declares war, beginning the Hondo Satani (literally: War of the Devils).
· December 25, 1985: After a final sweeping offensive by the Rhodesians, Zaire is forced into a surrender. Winning the war leads to a stronger sense of unity in Rhodesia, while the defeat results in the collapse of Mobutu’s government. Relations between the US and Rhodesia sour once again.
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