TOPIC FOUR
INDUSTRIAL CAPITALISM
At the end of this topic student should be able to:
1. Explain
the meaning of industrial capitalism
2. Explain
the demands of industrial capitalism
3. Explain
the roles of the agents of industrial capitalism in preparing Africa for
colonisation
Demands of Industrial Capitalism
The Meaning of Industrial Capitalism
Explain
the meaning of industrial capitalism
Capitalism
is the social, political and economic system based on private ownership of the
major means of production. It first developed in Europe during the fifteenth
century when feudalism collapsed.
Under the capitalism system companies and individuals own and
direct most of the resources used in production of goods and services.
Capitalism underwent different stages before reaching its maturity. These
stages included:
·
Commercial or mercantile capitalism
·
Industrial capitalism
·
Monopoly capitalism
The
commercial or mercantile capitalism took place between the year 1500 and 1750
this was capitalism based on trade. The merchants obtained wealth through trade
activities. A lot of wealth was accumulated during this period and therefore
increased new demands that resulted into development of another stage of
capitalism known as industrial capitalism.
The
next stage was industrial capitalism; this was the period when machines begun
to be used for production in industries. The transition to industrial
capitalism was the period when mercantile capitalism was giving way to
industrial capitalism.
The
transition was manifested by five major events namely:
·
Political revolution
·
Agrarian revolution
·
Demographic revolution
·
Commercial revolution
·
Transport revolution
Therefore,
the above mentioned revolution created a conducive condition for capitalism to
enter in the second stag; industrial capitalism. This new stage was
characterised by intensive competition among the industrial capitalists. They
were competing in terms of production of goods and profit maximisation. This
stage of industrial capitalism took place between the 1750s and 1870s.
The Demands of Industrial Capitalism
Explain
the demands of industrial capitalism
There were several demands of industrial capitalism, but most of
them were mainly economic. These included:
·
The need for raw materials
·
Markets
·
Areas for investment
·
Cheap labour
At the
period of industrial capitalism there were also changes in the methods of
production of commodities that the world was demanding in increasing
quantities.
The new
methods of production involved the invention of machinery and the investment of
huge capital. Industrial capitalism began in England by the end of eighteenth
century; other countries such as French, Italy, German and Belgium were growing
into industrial nations.
This
necessitated the high demand of industrial capitalism to advance several
demands as explained below:
The
need for raw materials
This
was caused by increasing production due to expansion of industries which needed
large quantities of raw materials supply. These materials included cotton,
coffee, tea, iron ore, palm oil, sisal, sugar cane, tobacco and rubber.
The
available raw materials could not meet the demand. At the same time they could
not be produced in Europe at large quantities. This resulted into the search
and control of the sources of raw materials.
The
need for markets
Due to
the investment of capital in production, industrial goods flooded the European
markets. Overproduction and under consumption became a critical problem among
the industrial capitalists hence they were forced to look for markets outside
Europe
Areas
for investment
Due to
unreliable markets and high concentration of capital in Europe, profit marginalization
occurred. As a solution new areas for investment were needed among other areas,
Africa provided the best areas for investment of such capital
In
Africa the tropical crops could do better compared to other countries it was
also a good source for non agricultural raw materials such as minerals and
forest products.
Need
for cheap labour
Due to
labour consciousness caused by working class in Europe and Britain in
particular, the need to search for cheap labour become important. This was a
measure taken to compete in production for profit maximisation.
Reasons
for the increasing demand of industrial development in 19th century
Competition in industrial production:European
capitalist nations increased the demand for industrial development as a result
of competition in industrial production.
During
the period before the nineteenth century Britain dominated the industrial
production and was the leading major industrial nation in the world.
However,
in the nineteenth century other European nations such as German, France, Italy
and Belgium became industrial nations. The emergence of other nations in
industrial development brought about competition for markets of industrial
goods, raw materials and areas for investment. Therefore, the industrial
nations were compelled to look for an alternative for that competition outside
Europe, where they could sell their goods and collect raw materials.
Demands for raw materials: The
highly demanded raw materials were cotton, oil, sugar cane, ivory, rubber and
iron ore. Most of these raw materials could not be found in Europe in large
quantities. In fact, those tropical crops could not grow in Europe. Following
this Europe decided to produce such raw materials in Africa, India, New
Zealand, Australia and China. In those areas raw materials were produced in
large quantity than in Britain and other nations in Europe.
In
Africa sugar cane plantation were established by the French in the Reunion and
Mauritius Islands. The French depended on slave labour in those plantation the
main sources of slaves was east Africa and some parts of southern Africa such
as Mozambique.
The rise of other industrial nations: In the
1870s other European countries were industrialised this resulted in increased
demand of raw materials. Therefore, it was difficult for one European country
to obtain raw materials from other European countries.
It was
also more difficult for one European country to export her manufactured goods
to another European country. Each country was struggling to protect its
domestic market industries and controlling its sources of raw materials.
American independence: Resulted in the
development of the industrial sector. By the beginning of the 1870s, Europe
could not easily enter U.S.A since it had introduced protective tariffs to keep
out foreign manufactured goods and protect its industries. By the 1860s,
markets for manufactured goods and sources of raw materials in Europe had
greatly declined.
Accumulation of wealth: In order to ensure this
they decided to invest the wealth that was being obtained in industries into
other areas outside Europe.
Overpopulation and unemployment:The
problem of overpopulation and unemploymentwas also rising in European countries.
Therefore, the solution to those problems was sought outside Europe
The need for assurance of genuine and reliable markets and
control of sources of raw materials: Europeemployed and sent
agents to various important regions of Africa. These industrial capitalism
agents prepared Africans for colonisation in future years. Therefore, in the
early nineteenth century European activities in Africa were led by agents of
industrial capitalism known as agents of colonisation.
Agents of Industrial
Capitalism
There were about four groups of agents of industrial capitalism
in Africa namely:
·
Explorers
·
Missionaries
·
Traders
·
Companies
·
Association
Explorers
During
the nineteenth century the major aim of European powers was the exploration of
Africa. In east Africa, exploration was done by the prominent explores such as
Speke, Burton, Grant, Samuel Baker, Henry M. Stanley and Dr. Livingstone, while
in central Africa and parts of Congo the prominent explorers were Dr.
Livingstone and later Henry M. Stanley. And in West Africa the prominent
explorers included Richard Lander, Dr. Barth Mungo Park, Clapperton, Dr.
Baikie, Gaspard Mollien and Cailie.
The
journey of exploration was financed and supported by European capitalists. The
main aim was to gather information about Africa because they needed a wider
knowledge of the continent. They also wanted to know about the raw materials
which African had to sell and the location of the main centers of population.
Moreover, they were interested in the knowledge of transport potentialities of
African great river systems. For example the British explorer, Mungo Park in
1780s, followed by Clapperton and Richard Lander explored the Niger and
gathered important information about the economy and politics of West Africa.
Roles of explorers
They reported back about the potentialities of the African
resources: Clapperton reported about the river Niger to the British
government while Speke reported about the potentiality of Lake Victoria and
named it Victoria to honor Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom.
They provided important information about the nature of African
societies: They
reported about thehostility, calmness and hospitality of the African people.
This information played a central role for the European colonialists during the
decision making process regarding the colonisation of Africa.
They explored important mountains and researched the geology, climatic
conditions, topography, lakes and animal species in Africa:This
knowledge later attracted European powers to colonise Africa.
They provided messages to their government about the existing
evils of slave trade and the areas where slave trade was still conducted:Dr.
Livingstone's third journey through Tanganyika and Lake Regions of central
Africa was targeted for that as a result he informed the English that the Yao's
land was still characterised by slave raids and the effects of slave trade such
as sufferings, insecurity.
The
information provided by explorers to their government was later used by
humanitarians in the struggle against the colonisation of Africa.
Missionaries
By the
19th century missionary activities had started in Africa. The pioneers were the
protestant churches of Europe and America. It was only later that Roman arrived
especially from France. The domination of missionaries were the London
missionary society, the church missionary society, Roman Catholic missionary
society and the universities mission to central Africa (UMCA).
Few
Christian missionaries were directly active agents of imperialism. They were
essential ingredients of the increasingly assertive European access to Africa.
However In most cases European Christian played an important role in promoting
and shaping the advent of European capitalism.
The Roles of the Agents of Industrial Capitalism in Preparing
Africa for Colonisation
Explain
the roles of the agents of industrial capitalism in preparing Africa for
colonization
The
role played by missionaries in the colonisation of Africa
They acted as interpreters and propagandists at the time of
treaty making:Mofat stayed among the Ndebele for about 30 years serving the
British South African company (BSAC) for treaty making between the companies
(BSAC) and King Lobengula.
They acted as advisors to African chiefs:The
British missionaries of the church missionary society convinced Kabaka to
accept protectorate.
They introduced Western civilisation to the interior through
education and schools: Thisaimed to prepare
people of low ranks to serving colonial masters at the time of colonisation.
Missionaries softened the minds and the hearts of
Africans: Their activities were influenced by European imperialists'
interests by preaching and emphasising the spiritual beliefs such as “give to
God what which belongs to God," and "give to Ceaser what belongs to
Ceaser”. In the long run this preaching weakened African opposition and shaped
the regions for future colonial administration.
They converted Africans to the new faith: They
were easily employed as puppets to extend colonial rule. Typical examples are
the converts of Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Ghana who were able to protect the
British economic interests and paved the way for future colonisation by the
British.
Missionaries reduced resistance among African societies: This
was done by converting some societies and preaching obedience to
administrators.
Introduction of new crops: Horner
grew coffee at Bagamoyo around 1870 the church missionaries society grew cotton
in Uganda. This prepared people to acquire the skills which were important for
future cash crop production during the colonial era.
They helped in the abolition of slave trade: Theyplanned
for successful Christianisation of the freed slaves as they preached the word
of God. They wanted to create the conducive and peaceful environment for the
development of legitimate trade which was exploitative in nature and was after
capitalists interests.
Missionaries had closer links with rulers and interfered even in
political matters:They allied European imperialism while they were working in the
interior of Africa. This situation provoked the hostility from African rulers.
In this case missionaries appealed strongly for the protection from their home
governments, which later led to effective colonisation.
Traders
Traders
were among the first Europeans to visit the interior and coastal areas of
Africa. They came under the influence of capitalists who also supported
missionaries and explorers.
Their
main aim was to exploit the new sources of raw materials, markets and new areas
in which industrial capitalists had to invest their capital. Examples of
traders are William Macknnon, James Stevenson, Harry Johnston and Carl Peters.
The
role played by traders in the colonisation of Africa
They opened a new a exploitative system: Therefore,
Africa became the target for European interests. This resulted in stiff
rivalries and competition among European industrial nations.
Introduction of circuit through legitimate trade: Thisinvolved
the importation of European manufactured goods. Thus, the chain of dependence
was created and the African local industries and the arts were destroyed.
Traders exposed Africa to the world capitalist system of
economy: The use of currency, banking and credit facilities began to be
witnessed by Africans. This resulted into exploitation of African resources.
The fair and quick turns obtained by traders attracted European colonialists to
come into Africa.
They opened communication systems such as roads:This
laid the foundation for future colonial infrastructure. For example, the road
from Lake Nyasa to Tanganyika known as Livingstone road was opened by traders
and was used during the colonial administration.
Companies
and associations
Companies
and association were among the most important agents of colonisation of Africa.
Agents organised themselves into companies and associations. They received
finance from their home government so as to operate effectively and differently
in those areas, where the governing powers had their economic interests. They
aimed at financing the exploration that showed the interest of coming to
Africa.
Examples
of the association included the Royal British Geographical society, financed by
John Speke to explore the river Nile. Another was the African Association of
British, which in 1788 financed Mungo Park. Its major aim was to explore and
identify the areas suitable for agriculture, which could produce enough
materials for export. Another concern of that association was to identify the
navigable rivers, mineral deposits and assessing the market available for
industrial goods.
In the
abolition of slave trade, merchant companies became increasingly involved in
the interior of Africa. The major aim of these companies was to establish the
so called “legitimate trade”. This was trade in commodities and other resources
that industrial capitalist required as raw materials or as food for the urban
working classes. The legitimate trade did not involve the selling and buying
human
Several
companies in Africa were established at strategic points for the purpose of
collecting important commodities for export and supplying manufactured goods
from Europe.
In East
Africa examples of these companies were the Imperial British East African
Company (I.B.E.A.C) founded in 1886 by William Macknnon. It was also known as
the British East Africa Association. Another company was the Germany East
African Company (G.E.A.C) founded in 1884 by Carl Peters. In West Africa
examples of companies formed included the Royal Niger Company (R.N.C) which was
formed by George Turban Goldie in 1884.
The
association was concerned with commercial activities. King Leopold expected
that the company could improve the lives of native as well as civilising them,
exploiting natural resources and abolishing slave trade and slavery in the
region.
In
central Africa the company prevailed was the Livingstone central Africa Company
(L.C.A.C). it was formed by Scottish capita lists James Steven in 1878.
In
south Africa there was the British south Africa company (B.S.A.C) formed by
Cecil Rhodes as a private company and operated in south and central Africa by
the year 1889, the company was given a royal charter that included the full
powers to administer the company.
The
role played by companies in the colonisation of Africa.
Monopolisation and exploitation of African resources: These
resources were highly needed by the European capitalists in their industries.
In all parts of Africa Company played a crucial role of collecting raw
materials and carried out trade activities.
Elimination of local middlemen and creation of custom duties and
tariffs: These was carried out by the companies which attracted the
imperialists powers to control Africa.
The companies encouraged their home government to colonise
Africa: For example; the Royal Niger Company encouraged the British to
colonise Nigeria after gaining the control of the different trading areas in
the region.
Signing treaties: The company played an
important role of signing different treaties with African local chiefs. These
treaties helped imperial powers to claim and justify the colonisation of
particular territories, especially during the Berlin Conference
One
example was a treaty signed between Harry Johnston and chief Mandara of Uchaga
in 1884 to control thirteen square kilometers of land in Kilimanjaro. Also Dr.
Carl Peters of the society for German colonisation signed treaties with a
number of chief between Pangani and Rufiji. These treaties were later used by
the German government to control Tanganyika.
Creation of infrastructure: These
included commercial centers, administrative headquarters, roads, railways and
waterways. They were allocated in those areas where they operated where by
later on were used by the imperial powers to transport administrators to
colonise and impose laws on the land.
The companies laid foundations for their home government to
colonise African:They suppressed African resistance through a police force used
to maintain peace, order and stability within the region. For example in East
Africa, the German East African Company recruited Swahili, Sudanese and Buganda
soldier to counter the coastal Arab resistance of 1888-1889.
They provided important information about economic potentiality
of African areas:Africa was exposed to the imperial powers which aimed to
colonise the continent.
The companies provided rudimentary administration in areas of
their operation: Some company leaders such
as Sir. George Turban Goldie of the Royal Niger Company, Harry Johnston, the
representative of Cecil Rhodes of the British South Africa Company, attended
the Berlin Conference of 1884-188 5. They also notified the conference about
areas where they operate on behalf of their mother countries.
The company played an important role of marking of the
administrative boundaries: Which were later
identified as boundaries of the European spheres of influence. They prevented
any other rival European imperial power from taking their territories. This was
evidenced in East Africa where the German East Africa Company marked the area
of the German in the Anglo-German rivalry and achieved the 1886 agreement.
While in South Africa the British South Africa Company managed to map the
claims of Britain, thus preventing the Portuguese from interfering in the
British sphere of influence.
Furthermore,
the companies used their security organs to abolish slave trade in the areas of
their influence. They introduced legitimate trade in Africa.
PICTURES
SHOWING TRANSITION TO CAPITALISM
Abolition of Slave
Trade
The
British government began the abolition of slave trade during the years,
1822-1826. This was because of pressure by various groups based on different
factors.
The Reasons for the Abolition of Slave Trade
Explain
the reasons for the abolition of slave trade
Rise of humanitarians in Europe such as Christians and scholars condemned it on moral grounds.
The missionaries wanted it to be stopped because they wanted good conditions
for the spread of Christianity.
The
formation of humanitarian movement in England aimed at stopping all kinds of
cruelty including slave trade, flogging of soldiers and child labour.
Industrialisation
in Britain, e.g. Britain industrialists urged its abolition because they wanted
Africans to be left in Africa so that Africa can be source of raw materials for
their industries, market for European manufactured goods and place for new
investment of surplus capital
Formation
of the anti slavery movement and the abolitionist movement in 1787, its
chairman was Granville Sharp and others like Thomas Clarkson, William
Wilberforce who gathered facts and stories about the brutality of slave trade
and slavery to arouse public opinion in Britain.
Religious
revival in Europe, Anglican preached and condemned slave trade as opposed to
laws of God and humanity. Catholic pope also protested against the trade and
prohibited it. In 1774, many religious leaders served as examples when they liberated
their slaves in England.
The
French revolution of 1789 and the American revolution of 1776, emphasised
liberty, equality and fraternity (brotherhood) of all human beings, as a result
people began to question whether anyone had a right to deprive a fellow man of
his liberty when he had done wrong.
The British desire to protect their national interests: British planters wanted slave trade stopped to avoid competition
with other European planters. This is because other planters were producing
cheaper sugar hence the need to stop over production
The rise of men with new ideas:Prof.
Adam Smith (challenged the economic arguments which were the basis of slave
trade when he argued convincingly that hired labour is cheaper and more
productive than slave labour, Rousseau spread the idea of personal liberty and
equality of all men.
Slaves had become less profitable: Yethad
led to overpopulation in Europe. Influential abolitionists like William
Wilberforce (a British member of parliaments) urged the British government to
legislate against the slave trade in her colonies.
The ship owners stopped transporting slaves from Africa and began raw materials directly from Africa and America to
Europe, which led to a decline in slave trade.
The Tactics Used During the Abolition of Slave Trade
Assess the
tactics used during the abolition of slave trade
The
movement to abolish slave trade started in Britain with the formation of
anti-slavery movements. The British government abolished slave trade through
anti slave laws (legislation), treaties and use of force.
The anti slavery movement was led by Granville Sharp, other
members were Thomas Clarkson, William Wilberforce and others.
·
The first step was taken in 1772 when slavery was declared
illegal and abolished in Britain. The humanitarians secured judgment against
slavery from the British court.
·
In 1807, British parliament outlawed slave trade for British
subjects.
·
In 1817 British negotiated the “the reciprocal search treaties”
with Spain and Portugal.
·
Equipment treaties signed with Spain 1835, Portugal 1842 and
America 1862. In east Africa in 1822 Mores by treaty was signed between captain
Moresby and sultan Seyyid Said it forbade the shipping of slaves outside the
sultan's territories. British sips were authorised to stop and search suspected
Arabs slave carrying dhows.
·
In 1845, Hamerton treaty was signed between Colonel Hamerton and
sultan Seyyid Said. It forbade the shipping of slaves outside the sultan's East
Africa territories i.e. beyond to the North.
·
In 1871, the British set up the parliamentary commission of
inquiry to investigate and report on slave trade in East Africa.
·
In 1872, sir. Bartle Frere persuaded sultan Barghash to stop
slave trade but not much was achieved.
·
On 5th march 1873, the sultan passed a decree prohibiting the
export of slaves from mainland and closed of slave market at Zanzibar. Zanzibar
slave market was to be closed within 24 hours
·
In 1876, sultan decreed that no slaves were to be transported
overland.
·
In 1897, decree left slaves to claim their freedom themselves
·
In 1907, slavery was abolished entirely in Zanzibar and Pemba.
·
In 1927, slavery ended in Tanganyika w hen British took over
from Germany after the Second World War.
The Social and Economic Effects of the Abolition of Slave Trade
Assess the
social and economic effects of the abolition of slave trade
Effects
of the abolition of slave trade
Loss of
independence, the suppression of slave trade led to loss of independence that
is to say, legitimate trade which provided equally profitable business to both
European and African traders. Many ship owners diverted their ships from
transporting slaves to transporting raw cotton and raw sugar from Brazil and
America.
It
accelerated the coming of European missionaries to East Africa who emphasised
peace and obedience thus the future European colonisation of East Africa.
Disintegration of the Sultan Empire: This is
because it loosened the economic and political control which the sultan had
over the east African nations. His empire in East Africa therefore began to
crumble. This gave opportunity to other ambitious leaders like Tippu-Tip to
create independent state in Manyema, where he began selling his ivory and
slaves to the Belgians in Zaire.
Closing
of slave trade markets, for example Zanzibar in 1873 following the Frere treaty
signed between sultan Barghash and Bantle Frere.
Islam
became unpopular as many converted to Christianity
African
societies regained their respect and strength as they were no longer sold off
as commodities.
Generally,
abolition of slave trade was a catalyst to the partition of East Africa whereby
Britain took over Kenya, Zanzibar and Uganda while Germany took over
Tanganyika.
British Occupation of
South Africa via the Cape
British at the Cape
Britain
took control of the cape during the era of mercantilism in Europe. At the end
of 18th century the British became interested in seizing the cape colony from
the Dutch. During 1793 France invaded the Netherlands. King William V. sought
refuge in Britain and also asked for protection for Dutch colonies and trading
interests. During this time, the British already controlled India and the trade
between India and Europe. In 1795 the British occupied the cape twice for a
short period of time. From 1806 onwards especially when the Napoleonic wars
ended in 1815 the Britain made a formal purchase of the Cape from the
Netherlands for six million pounds sterling. Therefore British started to
settle at the Cape in 1806.
The Motives for the British Interests at the Cape
Explain
the motives for the British interests at the Cape
Motives
for British interests at the Cape
·
To increase colonies: The British wanted to increase and expand
her spheres of influence following this she decided to occupy the Cape.
·
Industrial revolution in Europe, following this British wanted
to increase sources of raw materials, labour, and markets for her industries
since the Cape were very productive.
·
Trade interests, Britain did not want another European power to
control the Cape because that would interfere the smooth flow of trade between
Britain and India.
·
The South African Cape was strategically located. It was an
appropriate place for British ships to stop during their voyages to or from
India. They could get fresh supplies adwater for the reminder of their journey.
The Tactics Used by the British to Occupy the Cape
Assess the
tactics used by the British to occupy the Cape
Tactics
used by British to occupy the Cape
·
Introduction of land legislation system: They aimed at
discouraging pastoralism among Boers and to encourage sedentary farming since
the policy limited the size of an individual's land. The Dutch thought that the
British introduced the land law to take land from the Boers and redistribute it
to the landless Khoikhoi so they opposed the land law.
·
Abolition of slave trade and slavery in 1807: The British
government abolished slave trade in all their colonies and offered compensation
for slaves but the money was only paid inLondon as a result the majority did
not get their compensation. However, freeing slavesendangered the economic
survival of the Boers as they depended much on slave labour.
·
Imposition of the English language as the as the language of
administering the law and justice and the medium of instruction in schools in
1822. Hence English language replaced the Dutch as he official language.
·
Abolition of internal trade restriction imposed by the Dutch
company officials on the farmers and other settlers at the cape. This created
more trade opportunities as they could now trade freely without strictly
control from the administration.
·
Introduction of the pass in 1809 to reduce the exploitation of
African labour as the system required African workers to carry passbooks which
indicated their residence and employment, and those who did not carry them were
regarded as criminals. The pass prevented the Africans from moving from
district to district or moving into areas occupied by Europeans.
·
Introduction of contract system, through this the Boers were to
sign contracts with their workers. In those contracts they were to mention the
wages and other fringe benefits that they gave to their workers. Therefore the
Boers regarded the contract system as British interference in the traditional
Boer-Africans relationship of master-servant.
·
Introduction of the Black circuit court system in 1811 in order
to reduce acts of violence committed by European employers against African
employees. The law angered the Boers who considered themselves a superior race
and thus natural masters of the Africans.
·
Introduction of English law as the basis of the legal system in
South Africa.
·
Provision of financial aid to the British settlers by the
British government, this encouraged more of its citizens to immigrate to the
Cape as a result in 1820 some 300 British settlers arrived in South Africa
increasing the total white population by almost 12% within weeks.
The
Boer trek/movement
The
great trek( Afrikaans: Die
Groot Trek) was an east ward and north ward migration away from British
control in the cape colony during the 1830's and 1840's by Boers
(Dutch/Afrikaans “farmer”).
The
migrant were descended from settlers from western mainland Europe, most notably
from the Netherlands, northwest Germany and French Huguenots. The great trek
itself led to the founding of numerous Boer republics, the Natalia republic,
the Orange Free State republic and the Transvaal being the most notable.
From
the beginning of the 18th century the cape settlers expanded their territory
towards the north and the east. These settling movements were led by the Trek
Boers, white farmers who penetrated the hinterland looking for grazing land for
their cattle.
The
Trek Boers preferred the free and unrestricted life on their ox wagons and in
tents to the more protected existence within the realms of town administration.
The price they had to pay for their lifestyle was constant armed conflicts with
native people. First the Khoikhoi successfully resisted the conquest of their
residential and grazing land.
And
from the turn of the century it was the people of the Xhosa living to the east,
who stood up against the Trek Boers. Frequent skirmishes occurred, particularly
in the Zuurveld in the east of the colony, to the boundary of the great fish
river. In 1779, the first of the ferocious Xhosa wars broke out.
In the
town communities the danger of a confrontation was also growing. Here the
opposing parties were on one hand the citizens, aspiring to political autonomy,
and on the other hand a weak, corrupt and almost bankrupt colonial
administration.
The
town's people demanded their independence from the colonial administration. In
Swellendam and Graaff-Reinet, the first republics were proclaimed, although
they only existed for a short time. The power struggle between citizens and
administration ended with the landing of British ships at the cape and the
annexing of the colony to the United Kingdom in 1795.
The Reasons for the Boer Trek
Explain
the reasons for the Boer trek
British
occupation of the cape allowed Boers to penetrate further into the interior.
Boers dislike
laws imposed by British in the Cape Province which gave greater equality to
non-Whites races.
Abolition
of slavery, the British administration at the cape forced Boers to free their
African slaves.
Boers
dislike the system of land holding which was introduced by British i.e. Boers
were to pay higher rent.
Misunderstanding
between Boers stock farmers and British administration
Boers
dislike the British government decision of using the English language as the
language of the government and in courts.
Boers
wanted to be outside of the British government authority.
The Effects of the Boer Trek
Assess the
effects of the Boer trek
Creating
of two Boer republics, that is the Orange Free State and South African
republic.
Boers
defeated black tribes on the way and took over their land and properties.
Establishment
of apartheid policy.
Development
of hostility between the Boers and British colonisers.
Africans
were made property less labourers and squatters on Boers stock farms.
African
land was alienated i.e. taken by foreigners
Intermarriage
thus creation of Afrikaners.
BASIC
ASSIGNMENT/ ACTIVITIES TO DO
1. Explain
the meaning of industrial capitalism
2. Explain
the demands of industrial capitalism
3. Explain
the roles f the agents of industrial capitalism in preparing Africa for
colonialism
4. Outline
the major causes of the Boer Trek in South Africa.
5. Write
shot notes on the effects of the Boer Trek on people of South Africa.
6. What
are motives of the British at the Cape?
7. Explain
why the Boers managed to defeat the Africans in the interior of South Africa.
8. Mention
five tactics used by British to occupy the Cape.
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