TRANSITION TO INDUSTRIAL CAPITALISM
What is 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 15th 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:
1. Commercial or mercantile capitalism (1450-1750)
2. Industrial capitalism (1750-1850)
3. Monopoly capitalism (Imperialism) (1850 up to date)
1. Commercial or mercantile capitalism: Was the first stage of capitalism where by its economic system was based on trade and commerce. It took place between the year 1450 and 1750. 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.
2. 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. This stage of industrial capitalism took place between the 1750s and 1870s.
FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
The transition from cottage industries to manufacturing industries was manifested by five major events which took place in Europe which were:-
1. Political revolution.
2. Agrarian revolution.
3. Demographic revolution.
4. Commercial revolution.
5. Transport revolution
THE DEMANDS OF INDUSTRIAL CAPITALISM
1. Raw materials: the increasing production due to expansion of industries 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 needed by industries. This resulted into the search and control of the sources of raw materials.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Cheap labors: due to labor consciousness caused by working class in Europe and Britain in particular, the need to search for cheap labor become important. This was a measure taken to compete in production for profit maximization.
5. Need area for settlement: also they demanded the area for surplus unemployed personal population in their countries.
6. Cheap land: the capitalist needed more cheapest land for production of raw materials.
REASONS FOR INCREASING OF INDUSTRIAL DEMANDS IN 19TH CENTURY
1. Competition in industrial production: European capitalist nations increased the demand for industrial development as a result of competition in industrial production.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Overpopulation and unemployment: the problem of overpopulation and unemployment was also rising in European countries. Therefore, the solution to those problems was sought outside Europe.
5. 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.
AGENTS OF INDUSTRIAL CAPITALISM
There were about four groups of agents of industrial capitalism in Africa namely:
1. Explorers.
2. Missionaries.
3. Traders.
4. Companies and association.
A. EXPLORERS
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.
THE ROLE PLAYED BY EXPLORERS IN THE COLONISATION OF AFRICA
1. 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.
2. They provided important information about the nature of African societies: they reported about the hostility, calmness and hospitality of the African people. This information played a central role for the European colonialists during the decision making process regarding the colonization of Africa.
3. They explored important mountains and researched the geology: climatic conditions, topography, lakes and animal species in Africa. This knowledge later attracted European powers to colonize Africa.
4. They provided messages to their government about the 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 characterized by slave raids and the effects of slave trade such as sufferings, insecurity.
B. MISSIONARIES
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 ROLE PLAYED BY MISSIONARIES IN THE COLONISATION OF AFRICA
1. They acted as interpreters and propagandists at the time of treaty making, Moffat 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.
2. They acted as advisors to African chiefs, the British missionaries of the church missionary society convinced Kabaka to accept protectorate.
3. They introduced Western civilization to the interior through education, this aimed to prepare people of low ranks to serving colonial masters at the time of colonization.
4. They softened the minds and the hearts of Africans, their activities were influenced by European imperialists' interests by preaching and emphasizing 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.
5. 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 colonization by the British.
6. They reduced resistance among African societies; this was done by converting some societies and preaching obedience to administrators.
7. They Introduced 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.
8. They helped in the abolition of slave trade; they planned for successful Christianization 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.
9. They 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 colonization.
C. 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 Mackinnon, James Stevenson, Harry Johnston and Carl Peters.
THE ROLE PLAYED BY TRADERS IN THE COLONISATION OF AFRICA
1. They opened a new an exploitative system: therefore, Africa became the target for European interests. This resulted in stiff rivalries and competition among European industrial nations.
2. They introduced legitimate trade: this involved the importation of European manufactured goods. Thus, the chain of dependence was created and the African local industries and the arts were destroyed.
3. They 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.
4. They opened communication systems: 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.
D. COMPANIES AND ASSOCIATIONS
Companies and association were among the most important agents of colonization of Africa. Agents organized 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.
Examples of these companies were:-
i. 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.
ii. Germany East African Company (G.E.A.C) founded in 1884 by Carl Peters.
iii. Royal Niger Company (R.N.C): In West Africa examples of companies which was formed by George Turban Goldie in 1884.
The association was concerned with commercial activities. King Leopald expected that the company could improve the lives of native as well as civilizing them, exploiting natural resources and abolishing slave trade and slavery in the region.
iv. In central Africa the company prevailed was the Livingstone central Africa Company (L.C.A.C). it was formed by Scottish capitalists James Steven in 1878.
v. 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 CHARTERED COMPANIES IN THE COLONISATION OF AFRICA
1. They exploited 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.
2. They eliminated local middlemen, this was carried out by the companies which attracted the imperialists powers to control Africa.
3. They encouraged their home government to colonise Africa, for example, the Royal Niger Company encouraged the British to colonize Nigeria after gaining the control of the different trading areas in the region.
4. They Signed 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 colonization of particular territories, especially during the Berlin Conference.
For example a treaty signed between Harry Johnston and chief Mandara of Uchaga in 1884 to control thirteen square kilometers of land in Kilimanjaro. In addition, Dr. Carl Peters of the society for German colonization signed treaties with a number of chief between Pangani and Rufiji. These treaties were later used by the German government to control Tanganyika.
5. They created infrastructures; 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 colonize and impose laws on the land.
6. They paved the way for colonization of Africa; 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.
7. They provided important information about economic potentiality of African areas; Africa was exposed to the imperial powers which aimed to colonize the continent.
8. They 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.
9. They 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.
10. Linguistic studies: the colonial agents studied native languages so that they can be able to translate the Bible into local languages. This move was to convert many Africans to Christianity. The languages that were studied by the imperialist were Hausa and Fulani.
THE HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA
The early inhabits of South Africa were the Bushmen and Hottentots. The few scattered KhoiKhoi pastoralist and the San hunters were referred as Hottentots. They formed Khoisan as they both spoke languages which contain clicking sounds. Bushmen are short and have yellow or brown skin colour. Bushmen are probably the descendants of the Stone Age men.
The Hottentots were similar to the Bushmen but taller and more advanced. Production unit of Bushmen was based on hunting animals. The San depended on the KhoiKhoi for the cereal they exchange for meat.
-The Negroid Bantu began to arrive in South Africa from the 9 th century A.D. they were taller, strong and dark than Bushmen Hottentots.
-Bantu exercised arable farming, had iron working skills and cattle domestication.
-The Ngoni occupied Eastern Coastal region from Zulu and to the cape colony.
Bantu groups included the Zulu, Ndebele, Swazi, Ngoni, Tambu and Xhosa communities. They cultivated variety of crops such as sugarcane, melons, maize and beans. The level of production they had reached enabled them to accumulate surplus and trade began to be conducted among them.
A. THE DUTCH SETTLEMENT AT THE CAPE 1652
The Dutch or Boers were the first visitors from Holland (Netherlands) and firstly settled at the cape in Table Bay in April 1652 under the leadership of Jan Van Riebeek.
Dutch farmers called themselves - “BOERS” which means the whie farmers. When they settled at the cape they called themselves by the name of Afrikaners that meant the “whites of Africa” who developed language known as Afrikaans.
Dutch had a company known as United Dutch East India company (UDEIC).
The company had trade with India and other Arabs in Asia
At the cape they grew vegetables, fruits and kept animals such as cattle.
They had barter trade with Khoikhoi exchanging tobacco and alcohol for the cattle.
REASONS FOR DUTCH SETTLEMENT AT THE CAPE
1. Good geographical location: The cape was a good place where ships could stop to be refueled.
2. Presence of good climate: The cape had a good climate to support settlement of the whites. (Temperate and cool climate).
3. Presence of fertile soils: The Dutch wanted to produce vegetable and fruits for the ships which sailed to India.
4. Availability of fresh water: The cape could provide fresh water for the sailors.
5. Availability of natural habour: The cape could be a base of projecting their ships on Atlantic and Indian Ocean.
6. Good hospitality of the local people
7. A center for caring sick people.
EFFECTS/IMPACTS OF DUTCH SETTLEMENT AT THE CAPE
1. Introduction of land alienation: They took land from Khoikhoi and Xhosa.
2. Introduction of cattle consification
3. Introduction of slave trade and slavery: They turned the Khoikhoi into slaves to work for them in farms.
4. Introduction of apartheid policy: Dutch settlement led to the introduction of apartheid e.g. Khoikhoi could not get quality education, health services and shelters like the Dutch.
5. It brought intensive exploitation of African resources: due to unequal exchange led to exploitation of South African resources.
6. It has led to destruction of African culture: Intermarriage which led to Mullato population.
7. It has led to the destruction of indigeneous freedom: Political structure of the Khoikhoi was destroyed.
THE MAP SHOW EXPANSION OF DUTCH SETTLEMENT AT THE CAPE
B. BRITISH OCCUPATION AT THE CAPE IN 1795
The British were the second visitors of South Africa in 1795 when they attacked and defeated the Boers at the Cape. Britain took control of the cape during the period of Mercantilism in Europe.
In 1580 Sir Francis Drake became the first British man to round the Cape of Good Hope.
At the end of 18th century, The British became interested in seizing the cape colony from the Dutch. There was a peace treaty between the Dutch and the British in 1802 and the Cape was given back to the Dutch in 1803. But in 1806 the British decided to re-occupy the Cape by defeating the Dutch.
MOTIVES/ REASONS FOR BRITISH OCCUPATION AT THE CAPE (S. AFRICA).
The reasons which made the British settle at the Cape were;
1. They wanted to protect their ships on the sea route to India.
It was based on protectionism which the British could protect themselves against ships of enemies.
2. Area to get raw materials, market and area for investment.
3. They wanted to control the trade route on sea water (India & Asia)
4. To provide link between the British and Western Europe across the Atlantic Ocean.
5. They wanted to increase colonies.
TACTICS/TECHNIQUES USED BY THE BRITISH TO OCCUPY THE CAPE
1. Introduction of land legislation/law/act in 1812: 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.
2. 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 in London as a result the majority did not get their compensation. However, freeing slaves endangered the economic survival of the Boers as they depended much on slave labor.
3. Imposition of the English language as the as the official 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.
4. 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.
5. Introduction of the pass in 1809: to reduce the exploitation of African labor 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Introduction of English law: as the basis of the legal system in South Africa.
9. 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.
EFFECT OF BRITISH OCCUPATION IN S. AFRICA
1. They abolished slavery introduced by Boers.
2. They imposed English language as the official medium of communication.
3. Khoikhoi continued to lose their land as the British took it for their settlements.
4. There was important of manufactured goods from Europe.
5. They imposed news way of life.
6. Introduction of circuit courts in order to settle disputes between Dutch and the Khoikhoi.
7. It has led to the emergence of great Boer trek in 1830's.
THE BOERS TREK 1830's-1840's
A trek: simply means a movement of people from one place to another in large groups. The term Trek originated from the dutch word which means Journey.
Boers trek: was the migration of Boers from the Cape of Good Hope to other interior parts of South Africa in order to find new settlement areas.
The historical background of the Boers movement can be traced back with the arrival of British towards the end of 18th century, who established their administration at the cape colony. With presence of British, everything at the cape changed into negative to Boers. For example, Bores were now treated of equal status with the Africans.The migration took place from 1830s to 1840s where the Boers moved in groups of families at different times to different parts of interior South Africa, in a movement that later became known as the BOERS GREAT TREK.
REASONS/CAUSES OF THE BOERS TREK
1. Introduction of British government at the cape: British established their settlements at the Cape of Good Hope early in 19th century. Here, both Boers and natives were under British domination. The Boer did not want to be under the British government, that’s why they decided to move out from the Cape of Good Hope, to interior where they could establish their independent states.
2. Abolition of slavery and slave trade: the other fundamental change that British rule brought about was the ending of the slave trade and then the total banning of slavery. The British abolished slavery and slave trade in 1833 which was established by the Boers. Nevertheless, many of the original Dutch settlers were extremely unhappy about the emancipation of slaves.
3. Introduction of English language as an official language: the coming of the British led to introduction of English language as an official language in 1822 that was to be spoken by all people at the cape. This made the Boers to become discontent hence Boer Trek.
4. Shortage of land at the cape: the coming of the British at the cape led to increase of population. The Cape of Good Hope became overpopulated. This led to shortage of land hence Boers decided to move to interior in search of the new land for agricultural undertakings.
6. British Introduced land act in 1812: this put limitation on the amount of land that one could own. This violated the Boers practice of owning large farms.
7. 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.
DIAGRAM BELOW SHOW THE MOVEMENT OF BOERS
EFFECTS OF BOERS TREK
1. Establishment of Boer Republics: the movement of the Boer from the cape to the interior led to the establishment of two Boers Republics which were Transvaal Republic and the Orange Free State.
2. Occurrence of Afro-Boer Wars: the movement of the Boers to the interiors led to conflicts between the Boers and Africans who lost their land. This was due to the fact that Boers confiscated natives’ lands. A good example of those conflicts was the Zulu war with the Boers in 1837, The Kaffir war and other resistances.
3. It accelerated mfecane wars on the interiors Southern Africa: this is due to the fact that the Boer penetration increased shortage of land in the hinterland.
4. It led to the establishment of apartheid policy in south Africa: The Boer trek has led to the introduction of racial segregative policy in south Africa where African were suffered much from this policy which come officially introduced in 1948.
5. Discovery of Minerals: The Boer Trek also led to discovery of minerals in the interior parts of South Africa. The minerals discovered in the interiors were, Diamond which discovered at Kimberley in the Orange Free State in1867 and gold minerals which discovered in Witwatersrand in the Transvaal Republic in 1886.
6. The Boers lost touch with their homeland: their movement to the interior of South Africa developed a new language and culture known as Afrikaans and referred to themselves as Afrikaners.
7. Exploitation of African resources: Boers exploited African resources like the land cattles and minerals in the interior of South Africa.
8. Introduction of slave trade: The Boer trek resulted in to establishment of slavery and slave trade in the interiors of south Africa, where African suffered much on this.
THE MAP BELOW SHOW THE BOER TREK
AFRICAN RESISTANCE AGAINST DUTCH AND BRITISH SETTLEMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA
The African resistance against the whites began during the 17 th Century up to the 20 th century.
Examples of resistances were: -
THE KAFFIR WARS OR WARS OF DISPOSSESSION.
1. These were series of wars carried out by the Xhosa from 1779 Vs Boers – at the great fish river.
The first three wars were in 1779, 1789 and 1803.
The fourth (known as Ndhalambi) happened in 1812
The fifth (known as Makanda) in 1819.
The sixth in 1834.
The seventh in 1846>
The 8 th (Malenjin – 1850 –1853)
The last resistance by the Xhosa (Mlakaza was an advisor to one of the Xhosa).
1. The Battle of Vegkop of 19 th October 1836.
Ndebele under Mzilikazi fought Vs the Boers in the Orange Free states.
1. The Battle of the Blood River on 1th February, 1837.
ZULU UNDER Dingane fought against Boer settlement in natal.
1. Anglo Zulu war: Zulu under Cetshowayo fought strongly and defeated the British at the Battle of Island lwana. But later the British suppressed the Zulu during the battle of Ulundi 4 th July, 1879.
THE MFECANE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA
Mfecane: refer to the wars and disturbances which accompanied the rise of the Zulu state under king Shaka from 1818. The Mfecane can also be defined as the time of trouble in South Africa. It was a great upheaval which affected areas as far as Western part of Tanzania. The Mfecane dominated the first hold of the 19 th century in South Africa.
The famous Ngoni clan groups were;
i. Zulu clan under Senzangakara.
ii. Mthethwa under Dingiswayo.
iii. Ngwane under Sobhuza.
iv. Ndwandwe under Zwide.
CAUSES/FACTOS FOR MFECANE WAR
1. Population pressure: Zulu land is part of the Eastern corridor of South Africa between the Drakensburg Mountains and the Indian Ocean. Due to the favorable climate and absence of diseases such as malaria, its population tended to increase rapidly. As the population increased conflicts between those societies became common and intensified leading to the Mfecane.
2.shortage of Land: The people who occupied Zulu land were farmers, but the existing land was not enough due to population pressure, therefore the search for more land caused conflicts that later contributed to the outbreak of the Mfecane.
3. The coming of the Boers: During the Boer Trek, the Boers left Cape Town away from British control and moved into the interior of South Africa, the penetration of the Boers into the interior of South Africa intensified the pressure on land which led to conflicts that caused the Mfecane.
4. The Shaka rule: The outbreak of the Mfecane can also be attributed to the role of Shaka. Shaka pursued an aggressive and expansionist policy to expand his Kingdom, Zulu state. He attacked many states in the attempt of expanding his state, this action created conflicts that contributed to the outbreak of the Mfecane.
5. Control of profitable trade: The need to control trade along the Delgoa Bay is one of the factors responsible for the outbreak of the Mfecane. Trade contacts with the coast were very important because it was associated with acquisition of guns that can be used for conquest and expansion.
6. Cattle confiscation: the king Shaka lunched campaing of increases the number of livestok from other pastoralist communities this made the cinfrict to increases.
EFFECTS OF MFECANE IN EAST AND CENTRAL AFRICA
The Mfecane had a tremendous impact in East and Central Africa; some of the effects had a far reaching impact to Africa.
1. It has lead to the formation of states: The Mfecane led to state formation because the severity of these wars led to formation of strong armies for protection, but these armies were later used for conquest and expansion thus forming states. Examples of these states are the Shangani states in Zimbabwe.
2. Spread of Ngoni speaking people: The most permanent results of the Mfecane were the spread of the Ngoni speaking people. These people were called various names in different parts of Africa. They were called the Ngoni in Tanzania, the matebele in Zimbabwe and Kololo in Zambia.
3. Introduction of Military techniques: The Mfecane led to the introduction and spread of new military techniques such as the cow horn style which involved surrounding the enemy.
4. Introduced of new weapons: The Mfecane led to the introduction of new weapons for example the short stabbing spears called the Assegai; these weapons were introduced by the Ngoni from Africa who came to East and central Africa.
5. It lead to Depopulation: The Mfecane led to depopulation because many people lost their lives due to the frequent wars, the most affected region was veld where by many people lost their lives.
6. It brought Famine and hunger: The Mfecane led to widespread of famine in East and central Africa.
MINERAL REVOLUTION IN SOUTH AFRICA.
Mineral Revolution in South Africa was the discovery of minerals mainly diamond in Kimberly along the Orange and Vaal Rivers in 1867 and Gold at Witwatersrand in Transvaal in 1886.
THE SITUATION OF S. AFRICA BEFORE MINERAL REVOLUTION
1. South Africa was agricultural backward (subsistence level).
2. Railway line was short and undeveloped.
3. There were few towns with few people.
4. There were no heavy industries.
5. There were few banking activities.
6. The numbers of foreign investors were very small.
EFFECTS OR IMPACTS OF MINERAL REVOLUTION
The mineral revolution brought both positive and negative impacts to the societies of South Africa.
POLITICAL EFFECTS
1. It increased the British interest of dominating the Boer Republics.
2. The African people lost their independence.
3. Introduction of apartheid policy by Boers.
ECONOMIC IMPACTS
1. It has intensified exploitation of African resources.
2. Decline of local industries.
3. Intensification of slave trade.
4. It has led to growth of towns.
SOCIAL EFFECTS
1. Destruction of African culture.
2. Increase in racial segregation.
3. It has increased poor living conditions to African.
4. Separation of families due to slave trade.
GUIDING QUESTIONS
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 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.
