The United Republic of Tanzania was formed out of the union of two sovereign states namely Tanganyika and Zanzibar. 

• Tanganyika became a sovereign state on 9^th December, 1961 and became a Republic the following year.  
  

• Zanzibar received its independence from the United Kingdom on December 19, 1963, as a constitutional monarchy under the sultan. On January 12, 1964, the African majority revolted against the sultan and a new government was formed with the ASP leader, Abeid Karume, as President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council. Under the terms of its political union with Tanganyika in April 1964, the Zanzibar Government retained considerable local autonomy.

The two Sovereign Republics formed the United Republic of Tanzania on 26^th April, 1964. However, the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania is a unitary republic consisting of the Union Government and the Zanzibar Revolutionary Government.

In mid 1970’s the United Republic of Tanzania introduced a one party system that came to an end in 1992 following the re-introduction of the multi-party system.  The first multi-party general election was held in 1995.