Britain, Diamond Mining, and Labour Control in South Africa

Vocabulary flashcards covering the transition of South Africa from an agricultural to an industrial nation, the implementation of the closed compound system, and the British displacement of African kingdoms.

Erasmus Jacobs

The child of a Dutch farmer who found the first diamond on the banks of the Orange River on the farm De Kalk in $1866$.

Mineral Revolution

A period of transformation that began with the discovery of diamonds, changing South Africa from an agriculture-based economy to an industrial nation.

Kimberley

The location where a diamond rush focused on open-pit mining, eventually resulting in the excavation known as the "Big Hole."

Witwatersrand

The area where gold was discovered in $1886$, which was partially financed by the wealth produced from diamond deposits.

Migrant labour system

A system where workers, usually men without their families, traveled from far distances to work on mines for a specific period of time under contract.

Closed compounds

Securely fenced and guarded barracks built in the style of open-air prisons where black workers were forced to live and spend their leisure time for the duration of their contracts.

De Beers Consolidated Mines

The company that, after bringing smaller mines under its control in $1888$, made the closed compound system compulsory for all black mineworkers.

Gardner Williams

The General Manager of De Beers who, in $1902$, described the largest compound as housing $3\,000$ inmates with iron cabins and electric lighting.

Pass system

A control mechanism established in $1872$ to regulate migrant labour and curb access to firearms for men returning from the mines.

Xhosa Wars (Cape Frontier Wars)

A series of nine wars fought between $1779$ and $1879$ in the Eastern Cape, primarily caused by cattle raiding and land disputes.

1820 settlers

The main group of white settlers from England brought into the Eastern Cape by the British to help establish control and authority in the region.

Mfengu

A group known as skilled gunmen who became valuable allies to the British during the frontier wars and adapted by involving themselves in urban trade.

Annexing

The act of taking over other people's territories without their permission.

Cetshwayo

The King of the Zulus, crowned in $1873$, who resisted British control and was eventually captured on $28$ August $1879$.

Battle of Isandlwana

A battle on $22$ January $1879$ where at least $20\,000$ Zulu warriors defeated British soldiers despite Britain's superior firepower.

Battle of Ulundi

The battle on $4$ July $1879$ where the British defeated the main Zulu army, ending the military power of the Zulu kingdom.

Sekwati

The paramount chief of the Bapedi who established a fortified village at Dsjate and commanded an army of about $12\,000$ men.

Sekhukhune

The son of Sekwati who succeeded him in $1861$ and was captured on $28$ November $1879$ after two wars against the British.

Firepower

A term used to describe weapons such as guns and cannons.

Encroachment

The slow process of taking over and occupying land used by others.

Stipulated

A term meaning instructed or specified, such as the length of time or wages set in a labour contract.

83,5 carats

The measurement of the third diamond found in $1871$ that helped trigger the diamond rush in South Africa.