ABSTRACT
Chapter 4 analyzes the key role played by President Carter in ending UDI and bringing about Rhodesian (Zimbabwean) independence under majority rule. It considers the elements underlying the vehement opposition of the administration towards Salisbury, including Carter’s deeply held moral commitment to human rights, the growing electoral importance of retaining the African-American vote and the belief that the escalating Bush War in Rhodesia was providing fertile conditions for Soviet and Cuban involvement and therefore only a fully democratic Zimbabwe under majority rule would curtail communist penetration. The chapter then illustrates the impact of these issues on presidential decision-making from early actions such as the repeal of the Byrd Amendment to the involvement in the Anglo-American initiative, opposition to the Internal Settlement and most significantly the non-recognition of the government of Bishop Abel Muzorewa, which directly led to the Lancaster House Agreement and the end of UDI.
