Bantu and Boer relations with British (1867-90)

Question 1

What was the initial trigger of friction with the Boers and Bantu

Answer 1

• discovery of diamonds in 1867 near Kimberly on the Vaal river in West Griqualand created greater friction as it triggered a ‘diamond rush’ attracting both white-settlers and native Bantu-speaking people in the
  area.

Question 2

Summarise the development of relations with the Boers and Bantu in South Africa (1867-80)

Answer 2

• 1868, the British annexed Basutoland, claiming that the indigenous Africans were seeking British protection
  from the Boers.
• also took West Griqualand in 1871, went on to annex Griqualand East in 1874.
• proposed a federation of the British and Boer territories in 1875, but the Boers gave a firm rejection.
• In the Xhosa war of 1877-78, the British easily disarmed neighbouring tribesmen and annexed their communities in the cape.
• Boers less successful in conflict with Pedi tribe -> had successfully maintained independence.
  -> British annex Transvaal in 1877.
• Pedi defeated.
• British launch invasion of Zululand in Jan 1879.

Question 3

Explain the Boer conflict with the Pedi tribe (1867-80)

Answer 3

• on-going friction because the Boer farmers accused the Pedi of stealing their livestock
  and the Pedi accused the Boers of stealing their children to use them as slaves.
• The Boers were supported by the Swazi and were initially successful – armed with modern weapons,
  mostly Krupp guns, from Germany.
• peace treaty signed on 15 Feb 1877 -> agreed to pay Boers 2000 cattle and become citizen of Transvaal, however Pedi King Sekhukhune still considered independent and their land remained their own.
• British seize this failure and annex the transvaal in 1877.

Question 4

Explain how the British defeated the Pedi (1867-80)

Answer 4

• Sekhukhune prepared to attack the Europeans in 1878 – encouraged by some Boers who resented the British annexation, even supplying them with weapons.
• The British were supported by 10 000 Swazi and managed to claim victory on 2 December 1879.
• The Pedi people never really united again, they remained poor, divided and subservient to Europeans.

Question 5

Explain how the British defeated the Zulus (1867-80)

Answer 5

• The British launched an invasion of Zululand in January 1879. The British decisively defeated the Zulus, despite them being a strong and successful fighting force, at Ulundi in 1879 and Zululand was absorbed into
  Natal.
• On 22 January 1879, the British were overwhelmed by the Zulus, losing about 1500 men at the battle
  of Isandlwana.
• Despite several further defeats, the superior British equipment, resource and training eventually came
  into there own and they won more victory e.g. Rourke’s Drift and the last battle of Ulundi on 4 July
  1879.
• The war was a disaster for the Zulu nation because of the many casualties but also because they lost
  unity.

Question 6

Summarise the relationship with the Boers and Bantu in S Africa (1880-1890)

Answer 6

• From 1880, Boers turn against the British, thinking they have chance of independence under Gladstone.
• attack British army garrisons across Transvaal and won series of Ws that culminated in a humiliating defeat at Majuba Hill in 1881, with only 2 Boer deaths.
• Gladstone grants independence, British forced to sign Convention of Pretoria which recognised Boer self-gov.
• Arrival of Germans in 1884 raised fears that Boers might ally with Germans.
  -> 1885, British annex Bechuanaland, strategic attempt to prevent combining of German and Boer colonies.
• 1886, new gold discoveries at Witwatersrand in Transvaal produced further instability.
  -> sought by trading companies and brought a mass of non-Boer Europeans into the Transvaal (incl. Cecil Rhodes).