HISSL 4. EXAMINE THE IMPACTOF SLAVERY, COLONIALISM AND RACE RELATIONS

Flashcards about Slavery, Colonialism and Race Relations.

Slavery

A system in which individuals are treated as property and are forced to work without compensation, stripping the enslaved individual of their freedom, autonomy, and basic human rights.

Coercion in Slavery

Enslaved individuals are compelled to work through threats, violence, or manipulation.

Ownership in Slavery

The enslaved person is considered the legal property of another, which can involve buying, selling, or trading them.

Lack of Rights in Slavery

Enslaved individuals have no legal rights or protection and are denied basic freedom including the right to leave, to refuse work or to make personal decisions.

Dehumanization in Slavery

Slavery often involves treating individuals as less than human leading to physical and psychological abuse.

Slavery in Mesopotamia

In ancient Sumer, individuals could be enslaved through warfare, debt, or punishment.

Slavery in Ancient Egypt

Slavery was common, with enslaved individuals often working on monumental construction projects.

Slavery in Ancient Greece

Enslaved people were integral to the economy, performing labor in households and on farms.

Slavery in Ancient Rome

The Roman Empire relied heavily on enslaved labor, with people captured in war or born into slavery.

Transatlantic Slave Trade

Millions of Africans were forcibly taken to the Americas to provide labor for plantations.

Capture and Enslavement

Individuals were often captured through warfare, raids, or kidnappings; enslaved individuals were frequently subjected to violence and stripped of their identity.

Transportation in the Transatlantic Slave Trade

Enslaved Africans were transported to the Americas under dire conditions, leading to high mortality rates due to diseases, malnutrition, and abuse.

Market and Sale of Enslaved People

Enslaved individuals were sold at markets, often displayed and assessed like commodities.

Exploitation and Labor in the Slave Trade

Enslaved people were forced to work in agriculture, mining, and domestic service and were defined as property by legal systems.

Resistance and Abolition

Enslaved individuals resisted through revolts, escape, and passive resistance; the abolition movement gained momentum, leading to the end of the slave trade in many countries.

Acquisition and Transportation in the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade

The process of acquiring and transporting enslaved Africans across continents driven by economic demands.

Transportation to Coastal Forts

Slaves were transported over land to coastal forts where they would be held before being shipped across the Atlantic. Enslaved Africans died during these long treks due to harsh conditions, malnutrition and violence.

The Middle Passage

Slave ships were designed to maximize cargo capacity leading to overcrowding and unsanitary conditions on board. Scholars estimate that between 10% to 19% of those transported died during this journey due to diseases ,malnutrition, abuse and violence.

Forms of Resistance among enslaved people

Resistance among enslaved people took many forms ,ranging from subtle acts of defiance to outright rebellion .one of the less obvious methods included passive resistance such as feigning, illness working slowly producing shoddy work or damaging tools.

Triangular Trade

Operated primarily between Europe, Africa, and the Americas from the 16th to the 19th centuries, characterized by three legs involving different goods and commodities exchanged among these regions.

First Leg (Europe to Africa)

European ships sailed from Europe to Africa and traded goods such as textiles, rum, metalware and firearms for enslaved Africans.

Leg Two (Africa to Americas)

Enslaved Africans were transported across the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas under inhumane conditions with overcrowding and high mortality rates.

Leg Three (Americas to Europe)

Ships returned to Europe from the Americas laden with goods produced by enslaved labor such as sugar, tobacco, cotton, and coffee.

Economic interdependence between enslaved individuals and their masters

Enslaved people contributed significantly to the agricultural economy through their labour on plantations, which in turn provided financial stability for their owners. This economic relationship sometimes led to a degree of cooperation, for example skilled enslaved workers might have been intrusted with more responsibilities.

Lack of humanitarian concern by Masters

Masters often viewed enslaved people as property rather than human beings. This lack of empathy led to brutal treatment, neglect and a complete disregard for the physical and emotional well-being of enslaved individuals.

Prejudice and racism

Enslaved people were subjected to systemic discrimination based on their race, which justified their subjugation in the eyes of society.

Cultural erosion

The practice of slavery also resulted in significant cultural erosion among indigenous people. Enslaved individuals often faced assimilation into European ways of live, which included adapting new languages, religions and customs.

Loss of land

As indigenous people were enslaved their lands became increasingly available for European settlements and exploitation. This loss not only diminished their physical territory but also undermined their political power.

Economic Impact of Slavery on Slave Traders

Slave traders and merchants made enormous profits from trade, particularly in the production of goods like tobacco, sugar and cotton, which relied heavily on enslaved labour. The wealth generated from this system funded the growth of industries, infrastructure, and the global capitalist economy.

Political Impact of Slavery on Slave Traders

Slave traders were politically influential in both Europe and the Americans, as they had strong economic ties with powerful elites.

Role of the Transatlantic Slave Trade in shaping international relations

The treaties and agreement between Europe powers often involved the division of territories and control over slave trade operations.

Pan-Africanism

The spirit of oneness among people of African descent aimed at uniting all African states.

Origins of Pan Africanism

Africans resisted the trade in slavery when Africans especially those in the east and west Africa resisted in trade in slavery.

The 1900 Pan Africanism conference in London

Organised by Henry Sylvester Williams, it brought together activist, intellectuals and politicians to discuss the political and social issues facing Africans and the people of African descent.

The formation of the organisation of African unity (OAU)

The culmination of Pan African ideals was seen in the creation of the organisation of African Unity(OAU) in 1963,which aimed to promote unity and solidarity among African states and to coordinate efforts for economic and political liberation.

KWAME NKHRUMAH

He was the Secretary General of the Pan-African movement while in London. He wanted all African countries to unite and gain independence.

MARCUS GARVEY

He was an Afro-Jamaican who was a very radical Pan Africanist who wanted a global mobilization of the Blacks in their struggle for independence or self- determination.

WILLIAM DU BOIS

He has been honoured as the father of Pan Africanism because he and Others organised Pan Africa congress which led to the African congress in Manchester in 1945 whose aim was to come up with strategies to uplift the social, economic, cultural and political lines of Africans

SOLOMON TSHEKISO PLAATJE

He was a Morolong born in the Orange free States in South Africa. He was a journalist and writer who Published a number of books and novels and even wrote in newspapers to make the world aware of the evils Injustice of the racist policies of the Whites in South Africa.

MEANING OF PAN AFRICANISM OUTSIDE AFRICA {DIASPORA]

Some exploited Americans understood it as meaning the “physical return to Africa “,they formed the Back to Africa Movement.

MEANING OF PAN AFRICANISM INSIDE AFRICA

Africans understood it to mean the total independence to all African states that were under colonial rule

APPLICATION OF PANAFRICANISM IN THE DIASPORA

It was applied through the formation of movements such as the universal Negro improvement Association (UNIA) and the African communities League which made Africans in the Diaspora to be conscious of their African origin.

HOW IT WAS APPLIED IN AFRICA

It was applied through holding a number of conferences in Africa and outside such as the Manchester conference in 1945 which demanded an immediate end to the colonial rule.

JULIUS NYERERE

Nyerere preached non -violence protest to achieve this aim influenced by the Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi. He demanded political independence for Tanzania in 1961.

JULIUS NYERERE

The first president of Tanzania 1964-1985

KWAME NKRUMAH

He provided strong support to liberation movement in neighbouring countries including Zambia, Mozambique and Angola

KENNETH KAUNDA

Kaunda’s government provided liberation movements in neighbouring countries, including Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa National Union {ZANU} and the African National Congress {ANC} to operate from Zambian Territory.

DEFINITION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION

Refers to the unfair or prejudicial treatment prejudicial treatment of individuals based on their ethnicity or race.

Arrival of the Dutch settlers in 1652

The arrival of the Dutch marked a significant turning point in the history of racial discrimination in Southern Africa. The Dutch East India Company established a refreshment station at Cope of Good Hope, primarily to supply ships travelling to and from the East Indies.

British arrival

The British arrival intensified existing racial divisions and introduced new policies that further institutionalised discrimination. The British implemented laws that segregated communities based on race and restricted land ownership for non-white populations.

Resistance movements

Throughout history, there have been numerous uprisings against colonial rule and apartheid policies.

Cultural review

In response to cultural suppression, many indigenous groups have sought to revive their languages, traditions, and identities as acts of resistance against colonial narratives that demanded them inferior.

Legal framework:

Colonial and apartheid established a legal basis for land dispossession. Laws such as the native land act (1913) and later legislation restricted land ownership based on raise, effectively alienating black South Africans from their ancestral lands.

Forced removals:

Apartheid government implemented forced removals, relocating black communities to designated areas known as homelands or townships. These removals were often violent and left communities without access to their traditional lands.

Displacement and loss of livelihoods

One of the most immediate impacts of land alienation is the displacement of communities from their ancestral lands. This displacement disrupts traditional livelihoods that are often closely tied to the land such as agriculture, hunting and gathering.

Impact on Tribal Governance structures

Land alienation has also influenced how tribal governance structures operate today. Many tribes have had to adapt their government while trying to maintain traditional practices. This adaptation often involves balancing modern political strategies with cultural values.

Economic growth and development opportunities

When land is alienated for commercial or industrial use, it can lead to the establishment of new businesses, job creation and an influx of investment.

Definition of Liberation:

Refers to the process of gaining freedom from political, economic, or social oppression.

Colonial and Racial Oppression:

European powers imposed harsh rule on African territories, exploiting the land, resources, and labor of indigenous populations.

Political Exclusion

Africans were often excluded from political processes and denied basic civil rights.

Pan-Africanism and Ideological Influence

The broader Pan-African movement, which advocated for unity and self- determination of African people, influenced many of the liberation movements in Southern Africa.

Global Support and Influence

International support, both from African countries and global powers, helped fuel the momentum of these movements.

African National Congress (ANC) – South Africa

The ANC was formed in 1912 to fight for the rights of black South Africans. Initially, it focused on constitutional reform and negotiation with the colonial government. However, as the apartheid system became more entrenched, the ANC adopted more radical methods, including armed struggle.

Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) and Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU)-Zimbabwe

ZANU was founded in 1963 by Joshua Nkomo and Robert Mugabe in response to the oppression of black Zimbabweans under white- minority rule.

South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) – Namibia

SWAPO was formed in 1960 to fight for the independence of Namibia from South African rule. Namibia was a German colony until World War I and then came under South African control, which imposed apartheid-style laws.

Botswana’s Role in the Liberation of Namibia

Botswana provided a safe haven for SWAPO members and Namibian civilians who were fleeing repression.

Botswana’s Role in the Liberation of South Africa

Botswana consistently advocated for the international isolation of apartheid South Africa.

Botswana’s Role in the Liberation of Zimbabwe

many Zimbabwean refugees fled to Botswana, escaping the brutality of the Rhodesian regime, especially during the period of the liberation war in the 1960s and 1970s.

EVALUATE THE POLITICAL IMPACT OF LIBERATION STRUGGLE ON BOTSWANA SECURITY THREATS[BOMBING]

During the 1980’s Botswana was seen as a haven for ANC and other liberations leading to tensions between South Africa and Botswana.

THE LESOMA INCIDENT

In February 27,1978 a Rhodesian military base situated between the Kazungula Road and Victoria falls was attacked by detail of freedom fighters inflicting heavy loss on the Rhodesian forces.

Formation of the Botswana National Army

In response to the increasing incursions and bombings, Botswana established its Botswana Defence Force (BDF) in 1977.

Strain on National Resources

The hosting of refugees and the establishment of military bases for liberation movements put a strain on Botswana's national resources

Impact on the Tourism Sector

The political instability in neighboring countries, particularly during the peak years of the liberation struggles, made Botswana less attractive to international tourists.

LIBERATION

Means the act of setting someone free from imprisonment, slavery, or oppression.

ANC

ANC The African National congress (ANC) was formed in 1912 as a response to the oppressive policies and racial segregation imposed by the apartheid regime in South Africa

ZANU

ZANU >The Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) was formed in 1963 as a response to the oppressive Colonial rule in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe)

Refuge and support for exiles

Botswana became a sanctuary for political exiles from various countries, particularly South Africa and Zimbabwe. This provided a safe space for activists, their families and leaders of liberation movements.

Financial support for liberation movements

Botswana provided financial assistance to various liberation movements including the African National Congress (ANC) and the Zimbabwe Africa National Union (ZANU) this support was vital for their operations and activities

Regional cooperation

Botswana was instrumental in fostering cooperation among South African states it was a founding member of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) which aimed to enhance regional solidarity and economic development while combating apartheid.