Rhodesian Front
Rhodesian Front | |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | RF |
| Leader | Ian Smith |
| Founded | 1 March 1962 |
| Dissolved | 6 June 1981 |
| Preceded by | Dominion Party Southern Rhodesia Liberal Party |
| Succeeded by | Republican Front |
| Headquarters | Salisbury, Rhodesia |
| Ideology | White minority interests White nationalism Rhodesian nationalism National conservatism Social conservatism Anti-communism Republicanism (after 1968) |
| Political position | Right-wing to far-right |
| Colours | Purple White |
| Slogan | Rhodesia to the Front |
| Party flag | |
The Rhodesian Front (RF) was a conservative political party in Southern Rhodesia, subsequently known as Rhodesia. Formed in March 1962 by white Rhodesians opposed to decolonisation and majority rule, it won that December's general election and subsequently spearheaded the country's Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) from the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland in 1965, remaining the ruling party and upholding white minority rule through the majority of the Bush War until 1979. Initially led by Winston Field, the party was led through most of its lifetime by co-founder Ian Smith. Following the end of the Bush War and the country's reconstitution as Zimbabwe, it changed its name to the Republican Front in 1981.