Cecil Rhodes

Established...

Southern Rhodesia in 1890 which was pushed further north the following year

Youth

Went to Africa at the age of 17 and became a millionaire through diamond and gold mining

Possible outcome of German threat

Would lead to the isolation of British controlled Southern Africa from the supposedly mineral rich Zambesia to the north

Personal dream

to create a railway under British control, running through British colonies, from Cairo to the Cape

Matabele War

1893-94. 1) The BSAC recieved rights to farm and mine in Mashonaland. 2) Natives challenged the company - resulted in war. 3) Jameson led a raid against Matabeleland - lasted only 3 months and resulted in victory for Jameson by January 1894

Founded the...

British South Africa Company in 1889 and used this trading organisation to push British control northwards from Cape Colony

German threat

By 1884 - Boer settlers were penetrating into Bechuanaland where there was a possibility they would link up with Germany colonists

Rhodes action on Germany threat

December 1884 Britain declared Bechuanaland a British protectorate

Boer settlers

Descendants of the first Dutch settlers on the Cape. In order to escape British control they embarked northwards where they established the Transvaal and the Orange Free State - independent Boer republics (1854)

Opinion of imperialism

Mid-1880s he was committed to the idea of a great British Empire in Africa