Rhodesia unilaterally declared independence from the United Kingdom in 1965 , under the white minority government of Ian Smith .
Rhodesia unilaterally was not internationally recognized as an independent state ( as Zimbabwe ) until 1980 , when black nationalists gained power after a bitter guerrilla war .
Rhodesia unilaterally declared independence from the United Kingdom in 1965 , under the white minority government of Ian Smith , but was not internationally recognized as an independent state ( as Zimbabwe ) until 1980 , when black nationalists gained power after a bitter guerrilla war .