Why did the West work with the communists to destroy Rhodesia?
Or, why would the “free” side of the Cold War ally with the communists to destroy a thriving, resource republic in a critical area
It makes no sense at first. But it makes much sense with a closer look 🧵👇
Critical to understand here is what the two main sides of the Cold War were
On one side was the communist block. It wanted, whatever its internal divisions, to spread communism abroad, mainly by launching revolutions within the old Empires of the Great Powers
The other side was America. It, by hook or crook, aimed to contain and then roll back communism, mainly by subsuming the same former Great Power colonies the communists were aiming for, and replacing colonial government with nationalist-minded locals that would engage in free trade with America and at least pay lip service to liberal democracy
American Buddhist Net 