Botswana
Katrina Carter
November 20, 2011
Botswana
The African country of Botswana, formerly know as Bechuanaland, is located in the southern end of the continent, Africa, and consists seventy percent of the Kalahari Desert. Botswana is surrounded by six countries, including South Africa, Namibia, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique. Rhodesia was an expanded territory which included the countries of Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Botswana. Once this vast Rhodesian territory came across the idea of independence, it split into four separate countries. Northern Rhodesia became known by the name of Zambia, and southern Rhodesia became Zimbabwe. At the time of colonization, there were many political, economic, and religious advantages, as well as disadvantages, that motivated the Europeans to colonize Botswana. One might wonder, “What specific advantages and disadvantages does Botswana possess that inspired the Europeans to colonize this area?” In this essay, one will explore the political, economic, and religious ambitions, of the Europeans, to colonize Botswana.
Botswana first came in contact the Europeans, when seeking protection in 1884. During this time, the people of Botswana relied on their chiefs as a form of government. Therefore, all important decisions were made by the tribe leader with perhaps some council from other respectable individuals of the tribe. Later on, Resident Commissioner Sir Charles Rey would try to proclaim that all local government officials/chiefs would be answerable to colonial magistrates. This suggestion was met with an enormous outburst of opposition fueled with the fear that the people possessed within themselves of becoming assimilated into South Africa. As a result, Resident Commissioner Sir Charles Rey, was expelled from his job, along with his proclamation. Conflict arose among these people, when the Boers set out on their Great Trek across the Vaal River, confident that they had the rights to any land they chose.
November 20, 2011
Botswana
The African country of Botswana, formerly know as Bechuanaland, is located in the southern end of the continent, Africa, and consists seventy percent of the Kalahari Desert. Botswana is surrounded by six countries, including South Africa, Namibia, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique. Rhodesia was an expanded territory which included the countries of Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Botswana. Once this vast Rhodesian territory came across the idea of independence, it split into four separate countries. Northern Rhodesia became known by the name of Zambia, and southern Rhodesia became Zimbabwe. At the time of colonization, there were many political, economic, and religious advantages, as well as disadvantages, that motivated the Europeans to colonize Botswana. One might wonder, “What specific advantages and disadvantages does Botswana possess that inspired the Europeans to colonize this area?” In this essay, one will explore the political, economic, and religious ambitions, of the Europeans, to colonize Botswana.
Botswana first came in contact the Europeans, when seeking protection in 1884. During this time, the people of Botswana relied on their chiefs as a form of government. Therefore, all important decisions were made by the tribe leader with perhaps some council from other respectable individuals of the tribe. Later on, Resident Commissioner Sir Charles Rey would try to proclaim that all local government officials/chiefs would be answerable to colonial magistrates. This suggestion was met with an enormous outburst of opposition fueled with the fear that the people possessed within themselves of becoming assimilated into South Africa. As a result, Resident Commissioner Sir Charles Rey, was expelled from his job, along with his proclamation. Conflict arose among these people, when the Boers set out on their Great Trek across the Vaal River, confident that they had the rights to any land they chose.
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