Rhodesian Civil War: How the Struggle for Independence Shaped the Nation We weren’t able to create a summary for you. Refresh your page to try again. The goal of the RF was Rhodesian independence under guaranteed minority rule. Field was replaced as prime minister in April 1964 by his deputy, Ian Smith. The RF swept all A-roll seats in the 1965 election, and Smith used this parliamentary strength to tighten controls on the political opposition. After several attempts to persuade Britain to grant independence , Smith’s government announced the Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) on November 11, 1965. The goal of the RF was Rhodesian independence under guaranteed minority rule. Field was replaced as prime minister in April 1964 by his deputy, Ian Smith. The RF swept all A-roll seats in the 1965 election, and Smith used this parliamentary strength to tighten controls on the political opposition. After several attempts to persuade Britain to grant independence , Smith’s government announced the Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) on November 11, 1965. In 1965, the white minority in Rhodesia, led by Prime Minister Ian Smith, proclaimed a unilateral declaration of independence from Great Britain.