Independence and Cold War
At independence, despite its considerable mineral wealth, Zambia faced major challenges. Domestically, there were few trained and educated Zambians capable of running the government, and the economy was largely dependent on foreign expertise. Abroad many of Zambia's neighbouring countries were still colonies or under white minority rule.
The United National Independence Party (UNIP) won the pre-independence elections, gaining 55 of the 75 seats. The Zambian African National Congress won 10 seats, and the National Progressive Party won all the 10 seats reserved for whites. Kenneth Kaunda was elected Prime Minister, and later the same year president, as the country adopted a presidential system.
Kaunda adopted an ideology of African socialism, close to that of Julius Nyerere in Tanzania. Economical policies focused on central planning and nationalisation, and a system of one party rule was put in place.
Read more about this topic: History Of Zambia
Famous quotes containing the words cold war, independence, cold and/or war:
“Let us not be deceived—we are today in the midst of a cold war.”
—Bernard Baruch (1870–1965)
“To drive men from independence to live on alms, is itself great cruelty.”
—Edmund Burke (1729–1797)
“That cold accretion called the world, which, so terrible in the mass, is so unformidable, even pitiable, in its units.”
—Thomas Hardy (1840–1928)
“Only in war are you holy, and when you are robbers and cruel.”
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)