ZAMBIAN POLITICS
The politics of Zambia have been shaped by its colonial history, its transition to independence, and its subsequent economic and social development. Northern Rhodesia Zambia was originally known as Northern Rhodesia, and was a British protectorate from 1911 to 1964. During this time, the country was ruled by a white minority, and the African majority was denied basic political rights. There were a number of African nationalist movements that emerged in Northern Rhodesia during this period, but they were largely unsuccessful in challenging colonial rule. Independence Zambia gained its independence from Britain in 1964. The country's first president was Kenneth Kaunda, who led the United National Independence Party (UNIP). Kaunda's government was committed to African nationalism and socialism, and it implemented a number of policies aimed at improving the lives of the country's poor majority. However, Kaunda's government was also authoritarian, and it suppressed dissent...