37 / 50
reasons he imagined. Britain had opposed Rhodesia’s
independence because Smith wanted to establish a gov-
ernment ruled by white citizens only. By 1978, leaders of
the black majority planned an overthrow of the white
government. With the likelihood of an armed rebellion
approaching, the whites of Rhodesia gave in to the black
majority, which took control of the government and
changed the name of the country to Zimbabwe.
35
The Words of Thomas Jefferson
Text-Dependent Question
What are the names of some other countries that issued their own declarations of
independence?
Research Project
The French Revolution, which was inspired by the Declaration of Independence, was a
major event in European history. Using your library or the Internet, read about the
events leading up to the start of the Revolution in 1789. Create a timeline of events of
the French Revolution, starting in 1776 and ending with the seizure of power by
Napoleon in 1799.