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 stage; 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
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.
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.
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
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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