IMPERIALISM IN SOUTH AFRICA

By Brady Sprague

Table of Contents Pro/Con of Imperialism Background Information Effects of Imperialism Western Powers Involved Indigenous Response Results of Independence

Advantages of Imperialism Modern developments reach the region:

roads, mechanized farming, steam power, railroads, medical clinics etc.

Increase in Economic and Political power for Great Britain, and White settlers

Missions and their schools begin to educated more children of the region

Disadvantages of Imperialism

African states lose sovereignty Africans subjected to unfair taxation Africans forced off their lands on to

reserves or mine camps, families broken apart

Increase in prostitution and STD spread Segregation and Oppression develops War between competing colonial powers

(Great Britain and the Netherlands)

Overall Overall effects of Imperialism positive for

the rulers, negative for the ruled Imperialism will reformat the African social

pyramid, placing white settlers on top Imperialism will create new governments

run by white European settlers with armies to keep order, oppressing indigenous populations.

Imperialism will empower western Europe and continue to feed the British Empire

Historical Background South Africa was the new “El Dorado”,

having many natural resources: Good farmland, pastures, diamonds, coal, copper, iron ore and gold.

Inhabited by African Pastoralists for its good farmland for centuries.

Effects of Imperialism Modern technologies are brought to

South Africa South Africa is today stable because of

investment from the British & Dutch Apartheid in South Africa is a direct result

of the racism and oppression stemming from Imperialism

Western Nations Involved Descendents of the Dutch (or Boers)

came throughout the 19th Century British settlers arrived later in the

Century. Eventually leads to the Boer war, British

forces victorious Competition over natural resources British government expected settlers to

manage their own affairs (Indirect Rule)

Indigenous Response Some welcomed Europeans as allies,

worked in service of European firms, and were rewarded with schools, roads and clinics

Others resisted fiercely, especially Muslims who fought Jihads, all of who were eventually defeated.

Results of Independence South Africa became a dominion of Great

Britain and formed the Union of South Africa on May 31st , 1910, becoming effectively independent

South Africa became truly Independent of British rule after the passage of the Statute of Westminster on the 11th of December, 1931

South Africa became a republic the 31st of May, 1961

Results of Independence Social oppression continued to exist

under Apartheid, where the Black majority was oppressed by the white minority

South Africa eventually became a functioning republic

South Africa has been economically stable because of its many natural resources