Imperialism in South Africa

First act of colonization came from the Dutch who wanted to establish a way station for merchants to
restock. Dutch farmers or Boers, in the area began to migrate north because they found the soil to be
fertile and they grew crops that weren't possible in Europe. The Boers then begna to enslave natives to
do the crop work for them
British bought thousands of reinforcement soldiers to fight off the Boers.
The British had manufacturing facilities to make more guns than South Africans/Boers had
The Diamond Discovery gave the british all the money to continue to make guns and to pay more
soldiers to reinforce when they are needed
In 1877 the South African Republic feared they collapse due to their defeat by a pedi1 army, the British
had formally annexed the Boer state, as the Transvaal. They set about destroying Ped ito obtain laborers
to the Kimberley2 mines. The British did so in in 1879 but 1880 the Transvaalers rebelled against the
British (Battle of Majuba hill)
Gold was discovered on the Witwatersrand which increased British-Boer tension which was not in
control of the British Empire. Because President Paul Kruger wanted his country to rely less on Cape
merchants, he developed a rail system that connected to Portuguese East Africa. This move terrified the
British because the South African Republic would be exposed to other European Powers. Adding to the
topic, mine owners were English speakers who bear no loyalty to the Republic. Taking note that white
people have migrated to South Africa in surplus amounts that they now(speaking of the time period)
consist the majority. In December 1895, Cecil Rhodes gathered 500 men to march and overthrow
Kruger's government, lead by Dr. Leander Starr Jameson. The revolt was unsuccesful and Jameson was
disarmed with little resistance.
Kruger engaged in diplomatic relationships with Germany. Germany, in response, sent arms. In the
early 1880's, the people of South Africa saw a rise in nationalism. Works of S.J. Du Toit, a Dutch
Reformed minister in the Cape, published a news article and a book.
Positive Effect

Cape town served as means of a way

station to other colonies or countries
The area produced certain crops that
weren't grown in the western world
The country is bountiful in gold and
diamond

Negative Side effects

An Aftican Tribe in South Africa

A diamond mine

Enslavement of native people took place,

raising moral issues in both South African
colonies and Western Europe
There was a language barrier between the
Boers and English and the native of the
area
There were military conflicts with the
Bantu people in the area
War between the Boers and the English
occurred because of the friction between
the two

An Aftican Tribe in South Africa

A diamond mine