Co-operation & Conflict on the Frontiers of the Cape Colony (Early 1800s) PDF

Before the arrival of the British at the Cape in 1795 The Dutch East India Company (VOC) initially controlled the Cape Colony and was important as a supply/refreshment station for ships travelling between Europe and Asia. Frontier Area of land where 2 different groups meet and fight for control...

Before the arrival of the British at the Cape in 1795 The Dutch East India Company (VOC) initially controlled the Cape Colony and was important as a supply/refreshment station for ships travelling between Europe and Asia. Frontier Area of land where 2 different groups meet and fight for control of the land.expanding frontier is where one begins to control more land. Trekboers Dutch farmers who expanded European settlement into the interior of South Africa, clashing with the Xhosa over land and cattle. Fish River The Dutch trekboer announced that the eastern frontier would separate their land from Xhosas (without consulting the Xhosa) The area between the Sundays /Fish Rivers. fertile area major point of conflict between settlers and the Xhosa. Means “sour grass” - provided good grazing for cattle/sheep in summer, and sweet grass of the river valleys Zuurveld provided good grazing in winter. Trekboers/Xhosa kept cattle and raided cattle from one another. 2 frontier wars between DUTCHvsXHOSA before British took over Cape. The arrival of the British at the Cape in 1795 In 1795, Britain took over the Cape to prevent the French from gaining control during the Napoleonic Wars. The Cape was important to Britain because it provided a halfway stop for ships to India. As the British settlers started to govern, they introduced changes that would later lead to conflict with the Dutch settlers, known as Boers, and the indigenous African groups. Governor Lord official appointed by British government to govern the Cape(introduced British laws and customs) Macartney Colonel Robert Dutch military officer who negotiated with British but surrendered the Cape to them. Jacob Gordon The Xhosa/Khoikhoi, had been working for Dutch, chased most of the settlers out the Zuurveld. The western Xhosa (under Chief Ndlambe) controlled most of the Zuurveld. 3rd Frontier War was between British Xhosa-speaking farmers (roughly 8 000) The British wanted to force Xhosa farmers to leave Zuurveld, but Xhosa were too powerful and British realised they need a large army to succeed. In 1803, the Cape was given back to Dutch (part peace treaty agreed between Netherlands and Britain = peace in Europe.) Dutch peace Xhosa-speaking farmers who were settled Zuurveld. peace Europe did not last 1806 the Cape = British colony again (lasted 100 years). Zuurveld additional frontier wars fought between the British and the Xhosa. The Xhosas (under a series of chiefs) fought (defend land)on the eastern side, but lost because the British (under various leaders) better weapons young Khoi men into military Colonel Led the British in 4th Frontier War, Xhosa from Zuurveld/securing the land for British John Graham Government increase amount white people after (5 frontier war) defend eastern frontier government Britain paid 4000 British people go and become settlers ships landed at Algoa Bay ( Port Elizabeth) family given farmland in the Zuurveld to grow crops, but more than half of them came from cities and towns and knew nothing about farming. 1820 1822, most left farms /worked different jobs in new settler towns on the eastern frontier. traded shop-bought goods for ivory /animal skins with Xhosa across the border. The farmers that stayed planted maize, rye and barley and farmed merino sheep (introduced from Britain) climate & grazing areas perfect sheep. There demand Britain wool for textile factories - sheep farming became very profitable 1846, wool = the Cape’s most successful exports Law in 1828, giving Khoikhoi (people of color) same rights as Europeans , allowing them to move and work freely without needing passes. Ordinance This unpopular with Boer settlers, who relied on the forced labour of Indigenous people. 50  Colonist/soldier during the 4th & 5th frontier war Lieutenant-Governor of the Eastern Cape in 1836 A British official supported the passage of Ordinance 50 worked create treaties Xhosa leaders, recognising authority/setting fair boundaries between Xhosa and settler lands. Always acted honestly & fairly in his dealings with Xhosa chiefs/wanted the chiefs & government officials to find peace. sympathetic Boer farmers Andries against slavery and felt injustice to Khoikhoi. Stocken- ström The 6th frontier war shock to all the frontier colonists. Zuurveld 20 white people & 80 Khoikhoi killed, 455 homesteads were burned down, and thousands of horses, cattle and sheep were carried off. David A Khoikhoi leader fought rights of his people/helped enslaved people escape. resisted British control and eventually exiled to Australia. Stuurman British started to question the practice of slavery & their involvement in trading slaves. Abolition In 1807, the British had stopped the slave trade in all its colonies, but it was still going on because those who were already slaves continued of slavery to be slaves.  No new slaves could be brought into a British colony, but existing slaves could still be bought and sold within the colony. Slave revolts made the slave owners worried, and some began to think it would be safer if they were freed and paid wages. In 1833, the British government abolished slavery in all British colonies (but slave owners could keep their slaves for 4 years) so the first real day of freedom was 1 December 1836 The abolition of slavery and the introduction of Ordinance 50 granting equal rights to the Khoikhoi changed the social landscape, further complicating relations between settlers and indigenous groups. Xhosa leader who fought British 6th, 7th and 8th Frontier Wars Chief led people in resisting loss of their land. Maqoma (1798 - Imprisoned Robben Island (12 years), (paroled1869) 1873) attempted resettle stolen land,back prison, died(1873) The Boers leave the Cape Colony and move into the interior - The Great Trek Great Trek migration Boer families Cape Colony to interior (1835 and 1841) seeking freedom fromBritish rule/laws Voor- Boer pioneers left Cape Colony establish independent republics in interior of South Africa. trekkers Andries leader Voortrekkers (key role in victory the Battle of Blood River) - significant battle in 1838 the Voortrekkers defeated the Zulu Pretorius King Zulu king fought Voortrekkers in the Great Trek. The Zulu =defeated. Dingane  Boers moved away Cape Town. Dutch authorities not control them - used land as they wished/led self-sufficient lives. British arrived English language/culture, changed the British began to control land. Farms bought - end of “free land” Boer colonists of Cape. Boers freedom to treat Khoi slaves/servants British passed Ordinance 50, all slaves = freed. After 6th Frontier War & Chief Maqoma’s attack on colony, colonists leaving the eastern frontier. British Governor returned land Keiskamma and Kei Rivers to Xhosa made peace Xhosa chiefs. Boers established own republics areas Xhosa fight against British expansion in the 8th and 9th Frontier Wars.1879, the Xhosa defeated, and their lands were absorbed into British-controlled territories. This marked end of significant Xhosa resistance to colonial rule. The Boers wanted land, decided flee British control of Cape Colony with families, remaining servants, / slaves. 7 000 men/women/children crossed Gariep/Orange River,(Great Trek)Boers called Voortrekkers. Europeans settle on the northern frontier Tensions arose between them and the indigenous populations, including the Xhosa, San, and Tswana. In the eastern frontier, settlers clashed with the Xhosa over valuable grazing lands, leading to Frontier Wars. Khoisan San, driven from hunting & gathering areas, joined Khoikhoi, who had lost their cattle & grazing lands - formed the Khoisan. Harry (1848) Harry Smith, (Cape Governor) claimed land between Gariep-Vaal Rivers for Britain, name Orange River Sovereignty— Free State. Smith Pack oxen Oxen carry loads and pull wagons 1850-1853 8th Frontier War British and the Xhosa led to British more land 1877-1879 9th Frontier War, the Xhosa defeated and lost control of lands. The Kora A mixed-race community of Khoikhoi, runaway slaves, and Europeans who played important roles as traders and warriors on the frontier.  worked on Dutch farms/spoke Dutch; knew use guns/ride horses. kept contact with Cape Colony=got goods - material, flour, tobacco. traded goods, with pack oxen, with different groups living along Gariep River. Kora Kora known for roles as traders & mercenaries. often worked as intermediaries, facilitating trade between settlers and African groups. Leaders Group of Khoikhoi, slave and European descent, who had left the Cape in the 1700s - took their name from the Khoikhoi group (Guriqua) and saw themselves as more Khoikhoi than Dutch. They had guns and horses & used ox-wagons. They traded material, flour, tobacco and oxen mainly with the southern Tswana groups. Griqua They spoke Dutch and were Christians. Known for its military and diplomatic influence on the frontier - The Griqua played key roles in trade and negotiations with both settlers and African groups. They were the first group to settle north of the Gariep River in an area later known as Griqualand West. Tswana Indigenous leaders who maintained trade relations with European settlers and defended their territories. Leaders Andries Leader of the Griqua, Waterboer, helped his people secure land and played a vital role in the frontier’s political and military struggles. Waterboer Trade opportunities expanded as more people moved north: Groups of Khoisan moved into frontier areas north of colony - lived= hunting & trading African kingdoms/trekboers Some trekboers moved north, becoming hunters/ traders at Olifants River and beyond Boers of Graaf Reniet district used grazing land north Gariep River for cattle - hunted/cattle raided European settlers found new communities northern frontier, like Kora, Griqua, and Tswana, played key roles trade / diplomacy. northern frontier= key region for trade,manly cattle. Europeans exchanged goods Tswana, San, and mixed-race Kora and Griqua. late 18th & early 19th centuries, a lot of Tswana states across parts Northern Cape/North West Province traded ivory, skins and fur, hides, iron and copper for beads/cloth from east coast southern Africa Eastern Frontier and the Frontier Wars British/Dutch settler (Boers) expanded eastward, came in conflict Xhosa people, lived on the Zuurveld. British/Boers want land (farming/grazing cattle) Xhosa resisted.(nine Frontier Wars)(Xhosa Wars) 1779-1879. fought over land, raiding cattle and villages. 4th Frontier War (1811-1812), British, led Colonel John Graham, expelled Xhosa Zuurveld got land European settlers. Next decades wars broke British push Xhosa east. Abolition of Slavery and Ordinance 50 1834, British government abolished slavery Cape Colony, full emancipation of enslaved people completed 1838. Boer farmers, relied on enslaved labour, unhappy Ordinance 50 passed 1828, Khoikhoi and people of colour equal rights under law.no longer forced to carry passes/work servants 4 settlers. Angered Boers, relied on cheap labour from Khoikhoi. The Great Trek result of changes, Boer families left Cape Colony escape British rule. 1835-1841, thousands of Boer families migrated interior (Great Trek. ) Wanted live independently/set up own republics. Along the way, discovered powerful African kingdoms, like Zulu, led conflicts. Battle of Blood River 1838 event small group Boers defeated larger Zulu army. Northern Frontier and the Role of the Kora and Griqua settlers expanded eastward, also northward into Northern Frontier, found groups like San, Tswana, Kora, and Griqua. The northern frontier became a key area for trade, especially in cattle. The Kora and Griqua were mixed-race communities who acted as traders, diplomats, and warriors. They played important roles as intermediaries between European settlers and African groups. The Griqua, led by Andries Waterboer, established a powerful political and military force in Griqualand West, while the Kora were skilled traders and often acted as mercenaries in frontier conflicts. The Final Xhosa Resistance The Xhosa continued to resist British expansion for many years, but by the 9th Frontier War (1877-1879), their resistance was crushed, and the British took control of the remaining Xhosa lands. This marked the end of major indigenous resistance to European colonisation in the eastern Cape.