1.5.2
Relations with South Africa
The British Annexation of Bantu Land
The British Annexation of Bantu Land
Bantu land was set aside for black local people in South Africa and Namibia. After diamonds were found nearly Kimberly, the British South African Company, led by Cecil Rhodes, began to annex Bantu Land.
1867-69
1867-69
- In 1867, the discovery of diamonds near Kimberley (West Griqualand) on the Orange River triggered a diamond rush.
- In 1871, an 18-year-old Cecil Rhodes moved to Kimberly and by 1890, had purchased every diamond mining company in Kimberly. He monopolised South African diamonds and in 1889, would later form the British South Africa Company.
- In 1868, Britain annexed Basutoland, displacing the Khoikhoi and Sotho peoples and claiming them to be part of Cape Colony.
- In 1869, Britain had a major territorial dispute with the Orange Free State (which was an independent Boer republic in South Africa).
1871-76
1871-76
- The British-controlled Cape Colony continued to push northwards up South Africa, annexing West Griqualand in 1871, and East Griqualand in 1874.
- In 1875, Britain proposed a federation of British and Boer territories.
- The Boers rejected this.
- In 1876, the British paid the Boers £90,000 in order to settle the Orange Free State's claims to the diamonds in Kimberly.
1877-1878
1877-1878
- Between 1877 and 1878, Britain fought the Xhosa War against the Xhosa (a Bantu ethnic group) in order to obtain their land.
- The Boers were facing increased hostility from the local Zulus and Pedis.
- In 1877, the Transvaal, which was an autonomous Boer community, was coming under threat from the local Zulu and Pedi tribes. The state was on the verge of bankruptcy and Britain took advantage of its military and financial weakness, annexing the Transvaal.
1879-1880
1879-1880
- In 1879, the Boers reluctantly accepted British aid and Bartle Frere invaded Zululand in order to obtain more territory in South Africa and to use its inhabitants as diamond mining labour.
- British troops defeated the Zulus and the Pedi at Ulundi (an area which is incorporated into Natal) and annexed Zulu territory after winning the Anglo-Zulu War.
- The Colonial Secretary in South Africa sent this back to Parliament: "But in the absence of reinforcements we must do our best with such means as we have, and if devotion to Her Majesty's service can compensate for deficient numbers I have no fear for the result" underlining government complicity.
Boer Independence of 1880
Boer Independence of 1880
After the British won the Anglo-Zulu War, the Boers (or Afrikaners) no longer needed British support. They resumed their demands for an independent Boer state.
Boer independence of 1880
Boer independence of 1880
- The Boers declared independence in 1880 and defeated British troops at Majuba Hill in the year 1881.
Other causes of poor relations with the Boers
Other causes of poor relations with the Boers
- The Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 banned slavery in British colonies.
- Martin Kitchen (1996) claims that the Boers were angered by the abolition of slavery in 1833.
Treatment of the Bantu
Treatment of the Bantu
- Little thought was given to local Bantu tribes whose land became a playground for European ambition.
- The discovery of diamonds and gold increased the wealth of the region. However, profit remained in the hands of settlers and the chartered companies.
- Laws were passed limiting the rights of black Africans - this was specifically requested by the Boers.
- Black Africans were put into very low paid jobs, were forced to live in segregated neighbourhoods and lost their cultural and political autonomy.
1High Water Mark of the British Empire, 1857-1914
1.1Development of Imperialism, 1857-1890
1.2Imperial & Colonial Policy, 1857-1890
1.3Trade & Commerce, 1857-1890
1.4Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1857-1890
1.5Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1857-1890
2Imperial Consolidation & Liberal Rule, 1890-1914
2.1Consolidation & Expansion in Africa, 1890-1914
2.2Imperial & Colonial Policy, 1890-1914
2.3Trade & Commerce, 1890-1914
2.4Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1890-1914
2.5Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1890-1914
3Imperialism Challenged, 1914-1967
3.1Expansion & Contraction of Empire, 1914-1947
3.2Colonial Policy & Administration, 1914-1947
3.3Trade, Commerce & Economic Impact of War
3.4Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1890-1914
3.5Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1914-1947
4The Wind of Change, 1947-1967
4.1Decolonisation in Africa & Asia, 1947-1967
4.2Colonial Policy & Administration, 1947-1967
4.3Trade & Commerce, 1947-1967
4.4Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1947-1967
4.5Post-Colonial Ties, 1947-1967
4.6Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1947-1967
Jump to other topics
1High Water Mark of the British Empire, 1857-1914
1.1Development of Imperialism, 1857-1890
1.2Imperial & Colonial Policy, 1857-1890
1.3Trade & Commerce, 1857-1890
1.4Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1857-1890
1.5Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1857-1890
2Imperial Consolidation & Liberal Rule, 1890-1914
2.1Consolidation & Expansion in Africa, 1890-1914
2.2Imperial & Colonial Policy, 1890-1914
2.3Trade & Commerce, 1890-1914
2.4Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1890-1914
2.5Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1890-1914
3Imperialism Challenged, 1914-1967
3.1Expansion & Contraction of Empire, 1914-1947
3.2Colonial Policy & Administration, 1914-1947
3.3Trade, Commerce & Economic Impact of War
3.4Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1890-1914
3.5Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1914-1947
4The Wind of Change, 1947-1967
4.1Decolonisation in Africa & Asia, 1947-1967
4.2Colonial Policy & Administration, 1947-1967
4.3Trade & Commerce, 1947-1967
4.4Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1947-1967
4.5Post-Colonial Ties, 1947-1967
4.6Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1947-1967
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