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