Appointment as Prime Minister of Rhodesia
Smith becomes Prime Minister of Rhodesia after succeeding Winston Field.
Role range: 1964-1979
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Ian Douglas Smith Biography and Timeline
Follow Ian Douglas Smith through 17 dated historical records for Zimbabwe.
Ian Douglas Smith, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
17Distinct records
1 of 1Page
1964–1979Years on this page
1964
1965
Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI)
Smith declares independence under white minority rule, prompting international sanctions.
Role range: 1964-1979
Unilateral Declaration of Independence
Smith's government issues a unilateral declaration of independence from Britain.
Role range: 1964-1979
1966
HMS Tiger Talks
Smith meets Harold Wilson aboard HMS Tiger to discuss a constitutional settlement.
Role range: 1964-1979
HMS Tiger Terms Rejected
Smith's government rejects the settlement terms discussed aboard HMS Tiger.
Role range: 1964-1979
1970
Republic of Rhodesia Proclaimed
Smith's government proclaims Rhodesia a republic outside the Commonwealth.
Role range: 1964-1979
1972
Guerrilla War Intensifies
Smith's government faces expanding ZANU and ZAPU guerrilla operations.
Role range: 1964-1979
1976
Majority Rule Principle Accepted
Smith publicly accepts the principle of transition to majority rule.
Role range: 1964-1979
Majority Rule Commitment
Smith accepts transition to majority rule within two years.
Role range: 1964-1979
Transitional Conference Accepted
Smith accepts British proposals for a conference on transitional government.
Role range: 1964-1979
Geneva Conference Opens
Smith attends negotiations on an interim authority and the transfer to majority rule.
Role range: 1964-1979
Geneva Conference Opens
Smith attends the opening of the Geneva Conference on Rhodesia's political future.
Role range: 1964-1979
Geneva Conference Stalemate
Smith returns home after delegates fail to agree a timetable for independence.
Role range: 1964-1979
1977
British Settlement Proposals Rejected
Smith rejects new British proposals for ending Rhodesia's constitutional dispute.
Role range: 1964-1979
1978
Internal Settlement Signed
Smith signs an agreement creating an interim biracial administration and majority-rule elections.
Role range: 1964-1979
Internal Settlement Election Planned
Smith prepares elections under the Internal Settlement without Patriotic Front participation.
Role range: 1964-1979
1979
Lancaster House Negotiations
Smith participates in negotiations leading to a ceasefire, elections and a new constitution.
Role range: 1964-1979
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.