How Imperialism affects Southern Africa By: Emily McHarg
Imperialism is when one country comes into a foreign country and gains control by military use, or political schemes.
South Africa was one of the earliest African regions to be settled by the Europeans; in 1652 the Dutch first arrived in South Africa. They settled in this region over the next 150 years. The Dutch settlers created the Cape Colony. The Dutch encountered many indigenous groups including the Bantu. Some of the natives were forced into slavery. The Dutch settlers gained the name Boers (means farmer in Dutch). Cape Colony had a large demand for labor, so South Africa imported slaves.
The British gained control in 1795, during the Napoleonic war. However, the Dutch seized control in 1803, and then the British gained power once again in 1806.
The British angered many Boers, when the government abolished slavery. In 1833, the British banned the ownership of slaves, this angered the Dutch. Rich Boers protested the new law. Many Boers moved towards Natal, the Orange Free State or Transvaal. The migration did not upset the British government; instead the British recognized the independence of the Orange Free State and Transvaal in 1852.
Diamonds were discovered in 1867, and many Boers returned. Many people rushed to South Africa in the hope of finding riches. Businessmen started to consolidate their mines when they became too deep or difficult to work. Cecil Rhodes was also one of those businessmen.
In 1886, gold was found in South Africa. Many businessmen, including Rhodes, invested their profits from diamonds into the gold market.
Meanwhile, tensions between the Boers and the Zulus began to rise. The land was becoming too crowded to have proper access to water and good land. Shaka was the military leader of the Zulu; he helped create a successful army. The British took over the Zulu capital in 1879. The Boers and the British had problems about annexation.
Cecil Rhodes was a British imperialist in South Africa. By 1880, Rhodes was a public figure and a multi-millionaire. He ran for parliament in Cape Colony. Rhodes wanted to extend the British empire with the “Cape-to-Cairo route”. He wanted to provide work for the British settlers, and he faced opposition from missionaries, and the London Chamber of Commerce. After his public image was hurt, Rhodes was forced to resign as prime minister.
A fight broke out between the British and the Boers, when the British tried to illegally take land. The Boer war lasted from 1899 to 1902, the British won. In 1910, the British combined Cape Colony and the Boer republics. Imperialism has affected the South African region for hundreds of years, and its legacy will continue to affect the region.
South Africa was one of the earliest African regions to be settled by the Europeans; in 1652 the Dutch first arrived in South Africa. They settled in this region over the next 150 years. The Dutch settlers created the Cape Colony. The Dutch encountered many indigenous groups including the Bantu. Some of the natives were forced into slavery. The Dutch settlers gained the name Boers (means farmer in Dutch). Cape Colony had a large demand for labor, so South Africa imported slaves.
The British gained control in 1795, during the Napoleonic war. However, the Dutch seized control in 1803, and then the British gained power once again in 1806.
The British angered many Boers, when the government abolished slavery. In 1833, the British banned the ownership of slaves, this angered the Dutch. Rich Boers protested the new law. Many Boers moved towards Natal, the Orange Free State or Transvaal. The migration did not upset the British government; instead the British recognized the independence of the Orange Free State and Transvaal in 1852.
Diamonds were discovered in 1867, and many Boers returned. Many people rushed to South Africa in the hope of finding riches. Businessmen started to consolidate their mines when they became too deep or difficult to work. Cecil Rhodes was also one of those businessmen.
In 1886, gold was found in South Africa. Many businessmen, including Rhodes, invested their profits from diamonds into the gold market.
Meanwhile, tensions between the Boers and the Zulus began to rise. The land was becoming too crowded to have proper access to water and good land. Shaka was the military leader of the Zulu; he helped create a successful army. The British took over the Zulu capital in 1879. The Boers and the British had problems about annexation.
Cecil Rhodes was a British imperialist in South Africa. By 1880, Rhodes was a public figure and a multi-millionaire. He ran for parliament in Cape Colony. Rhodes wanted to extend the British empire with the “Cape-to-Cairo route”. He wanted to provide work for the British settlers, and he faced opposition from missionaries, and the London Chamber of Commerce. After his public image was hurt, Rhodes was forced to resign as prime minister.
A fight broke out between the British and the Boers, when the British tried to illegally take land. The Boer war lasted from 1899 to 1902, the British won. In 1910, the British combined Cape Colony and the Boer republics. Imperialism has affected the South African region for hundreds of years, and its legacy will continue to affect the region.