Zimbabwe: History

The British South Africa Company gains a mandate from Britain to colonize Southern Rhodesia, present day Zimbabwe.

Britain creates the Central African Federation, made up of Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe), Northern Rhodesia (Zambia) and Nyasaland (Malawi). Lasts for a decade until Malawi and Zambia gain independence. 

Zimbabwe is internationally recognized as an independent country and joins the British Commonwealth.

Zimbabwe experiences an economic crisis driven primarily by high interest and inflation rates, causing riots and strikes. 

Due to the president's decision to implement a new land seizure program, the World Bank and IMF decided cut their financial aid, putting more pressure on the country's economy and leading to serious food shortages. 

The European Union imposes sanctions on Zimbabwe following a new law limiting media freedom. 

Zimbabwe leaves from the British Commonwealth after being suspended indefinitely. 

A new "indigenization" law forces foreign-owned businesses to sell majority stakes to locals. 

The Kimberly Process, which regulates the global diamond industry, lifts a ban on the export of diamonds from two of Zimbabwe's Marange fields. 

Central Bank phases out the Zimbabwe dollar, formalizing the multi-currency system introduced to counter hyper-inflation.