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Fantastic original vintage political poster critiquing Zimbabwe's Internal Settlement government and advocating for the militant Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU).

Scenes of resistance and oppression in Zimbabwe are shown against the backdrop of a red African continent. The map was published by the New York branch of the Robrert Mugabe-led ZANU in 1979 and intended for an American audience sympathetic to the movement.

In 1979, Zimbabwe's path to independence was marked by complex political maneuvering and intense conflict. ZANU, one of the major liberation movements, continued its armed struggle against the white-minority government led by Ian Smith. ZANU and its counterpart ZAPU rejected negotiations with the Smith regime, insisting on a complete transition to majority rule. Their military campaigns and ideological commitment to full independence played a crucial role in shaping the political landscape, forcing the Smith government to consider negotiations with other black leaders.

In this context, a significant alliance emerged between Ian Smith and moderate black leader Abel Muzorewa. Together, they negotiated the Internal Settlement of 1978, an attempt to transition to majority rule while preserving some power for the white minority. Muzorewa's United African National Council (UANC) supported the agreement, leading to the formation of Zimbabwe Rhodesia in 1979, with Muzorewa as Prime Minister and Smith as Minister Without Portfolio. However, this alliance was fraught with challenges, as it was seen by many, including ZANU and ZAPU, as an inadequate response to the demand for full majority rule. The Internal Settlement failed to gain traction and was ultimately supplanted by the Lancaster House Agreement later that year.

International support, or lack thereof, played a pivotal role in the unfolding of events in 1979. The Internal Settlement was not recognized by the international community, including key players like the United Kingdom and the United States, who continued to press for genuine majority rule. The sanctions imposed on Rhodesia after its Unilateral Declaration of Independence in 1965 remained in place, further isolating the Smith-Muzorewa government. The Lancaster House Agreement, brokered by the British government, finally brought international acceptance by laying the groundwork for democratic elections and full independence in 1980. This agreement marked the culmination of a tumultuous year and set the stage for a new era in Zimbabwe's history, ending white-minority rule and ushering in a government led by Robert Mugabe and his ZANU party.