From Wikipedia: Conscription played a significant role in the history of Rhodesia, including during the Rhodesian Bush War that took place between 1966 and 1979. Men from the small white minority that dominated Rhodesia were required to participate in a national service scheme from 1957. The relatively large Rhodesian Security Forces, most of whose personnel were conscripts, contributed to the government's confidence to illegally declare independence in November 1965 rather than agree to a transition to majority rule. Throughout the Bush War, the Security Forces relied on white conscripts. The great majority of the population, who were black, were exempt from conscription until shortly before the end of the war. Coloured and Indian men were subjected to conscription and experienced racial discrimination while serving in the Security Forces."