US backs Rhodesian rebels

Could the United States do something similar to it's policy with Portugal's colonial war in Angola and back one of the factions in the Rhodesian bush war. In the hopes of getting a pro-western faction in the aftermath of the end of the Rhodesia.

Would ZANU or ZAPU be more likely to be pro-western

What would be the impact on the Rhodesian bush war


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Liberation_Front_of_Angola#Foreign_aid

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angolan_War_of_Independence#United_States_of_America
 
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kernals12

Banned
Could the United States do something similar to it's policy with Portugal's colonial war in Angola and back one of the factions in the Rhodesian bush war. In the hopes of getting a pro-western faction in the aftermath of the end of the Rhodesia.

Would ZANU or ZAPU be more likely to be pro-western

What would be the impact on the Rhodesian bush war


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Liberation_Front_of_Angola#Foreign_aid

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angolan_War_of_Independence#United_States_of_America
The US may not have given explicit backing to the rebels, but it was quite consistent in its calls for black majority rule. Even Henry Kissinger of all people urged Ian Smith to accept majority rule, and the Carter Administration was even more critical of the Rhodesian government.
 
it would largely depend on which faction is supported or, better still, supporting Bishop Abel Muzorewa. Even during Rhodesian UDI, the Smith government enjoyed considerable support from US and UK right-wingers and conservatives and even racists. Should Muzorewa prevail with more Western support, the remainder of the world could fall in behind. I have stated this on other Rhodesian related threads here. Thatcher really wanted to recognize Muzorewa's Zimbabwe Rhodesian government and get the Rhodesian problem out of UK politics once and for all. However, she was actually overruled by Nyerere and Kaunda of Tanzania and Zambia ( both highly influential Third World leaders in their day) and also Jimmy Carter and Andrew Young who both thought Muzorewa was an "Uncle Tom". Andy Young has always been the leading American supporter/apologist for Mugabe.
One other POD would be a different US president being elected and supporting the Smith government (either Goldwater in 1964 or even Reagan in 1976. No Jimmy Carter means no Andy Young). Lots of butterflies there in terms for Rhodesia and also UK/US political relations.
 

Khanzeer

Banned
I think Rhodesia would collapse in a year or two
Imagine rebels with overt US training and arms , poorly equipped rhodesian dont stand a chance
 
This is low-probability. You'd somehow need a left-wing admin in the 70s. Reagan in '68, followed by Eugene McCarthy as a repudiation of hawkishness due to Ronnie botching things foreign polciywise as one option. Or you get McGovern coming back after an alt-watergate with Nixon bombing the brookings institute or something.
 
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