HI 102 Supplement Reading 2 (pg. 33-41)

Robert Moffat: Missionary Pioneer

• Robert Moffat (1795–1883): One of the first missionaries to Africa.

• Location: Settled in Kuruman, South Africa, alongside his wife Mary, where they ministered for 50 years.

• Impact: Many Africans converted to Christianity as a result of their efforts.

• Language Work:

  • Reduced the spoken language of the region to written form.

  • Developed grammar structure for the language.

  • Translated the Bible and Pilgrim’s Progress into the native tongue.

David Livingstone: Missionary Explorer

• David Livingstone: Young Scottish physician influenced by Robert Moffat's appeal for missionaries.

• Moffat's Inspiration: Moffat noted, “I can see the smoke of a thousand villages where the name of Christ has never been heard.”

• Journey to Africa:

  • Joined Moffats in Kuruman in 1841.

  • Notable discoveries:

  • Found Lake Ngami.

  • Traced the Zambezi River.

  • First European to see Victoria Falls, referred to as the “smoke that thunders.”

• Media Portrayal: The British press praised him as a great explorer, missing his goal of spreading the gospel in Africa.

• Livingstone's Declaration: “Viewed in relation to my calling, the end of the geographical feat is only the beginning of the enterprise.”

• Henry Stanley's Expedition:

  • Sent by an American newspaper to find Livingstone when his explorations ceased.

  • Found Livingstone severely ill in November 1871 near Lake Tanganyika.

  • Famous greeting: “Dr. Livingstone, I presume?”

• Stanley's Transformation: Became a Christian due to Livingstone’s influence and pursued missionary exploration.

• Stanley’s Exploration (1874-1877): Traced the Congo River to its mouth in the South Atlantic Ocean.

• Livingstone's Death:

  • Buried in Africa, with his heart buried in a jungle clearing, and body transported to England for interment at Westminster Abbey after nearly a year.

Black Missionaries in Africa

• Significance of African Christians: Played a crucial role as missionaries in Africa.

• Church Missionary Society of the Church of England focused on West African colonies like Sierra Leone and Nigeria.

• Granville Sharp's contribution: Assisted freed slaves in colonizing Freetown, establishing Christian schools for evangelization and education.

• Samuel Adjai Crowther:

  • First Black bishop of the Church of England.

  • Bishop of the Church of Nigeria from 1864 until his death in 1893.

  • Established a fully African-staffed mission in Nigeria.

• Liberia's Formation:

  • Idea originated from the American Colonization Society to repatriate freed slaves.

  • First settlers arrived in 1822.

  • Liberia became the first independent African republic in 1847, capital at Monrovia (named after President James Monroe).

  • Significant contributions from African American ministers Lott Carey and Colin Teague in establishing the first Baptist church.

  • Influential evangelist William Harris promoted Christianity along the Ivory Coast starting in 1913 at age 60.

Commerce and Colonization in Africa

• Role of Merchants: Brought legitimate commerce to Africa, purchasing resources such as palm oil, ivory, and timber for sale in Europe and America.

• Europe's Economic Interests: Africa served not only as a resource supplier but also as a market for European goods.

• Colonial Scramble: Made profitable due to Africa’s wealth in gold, ivory, and diamonds.

• Colonization Statistics (by 1914): Approximately 90% of Africa colonized, with only Ethiopia and Liberia remaining independent.

• European Powers Involved: Great Britain, France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain.

• Colonialist Attitudes:

  • Some saw Africans merely as sources of cheap labor.

  • Others believed in civilizing Africa through Western culture and Christianity.

South Africa's Colonization

• First Settlers: Dutch Calvinists arrived in 1652 at the Cape of Good Hope for the Dutch East India Company.

• Huguenot Immigration: French Huguenots joined Dutch colonists in 1688.

• Afrikaner Establishment: Colonists, known as Afrikaners, developed a successful agrarian society despite facing opposition from powerful African tribes.

• Boers: Dutch word meaning “farmer”; many Boers farmed and raised cattle.

• Territorial Conflicts: Expansion led to conflicts with migrating African tribes over land.

• British Control: The British seized the Cape Colony during the Napoleonic Wars.

Khama: The Christian Chief

• Khama (1827–1923): Tribal chief of Bechuanaland (now Botswana), notable for promoting righteousness and abolishing various social evils.

• Christian Conversion: Became a Christian in his youth and ruled his territory according to Christian principles.

• Policy on Alcoholism: Outlawed alcohol, witchcraft, polygamy, and the slave trade.

• Appeal to British Government (1895): Khama sought support to enforce his prohibition against alcohol sales to his people.

• British Government's Response: Promise to prevent the sale of alcohol and recognized Khama's authority over his people.

• Legacy: Khama died in 1923 after a long and righteous rule promoting evangelism and morality.

The Boer War and South African Politics

• Boer Response to British Takeover: Following resentment towards British control, thousands of Boers left the Cape in 1835, leading to the Great Trek.

• New Republics: Established Transvaal and Orange Free State to govern themselves.

• Gold Discovery: 1885 gold rush in Transvaal attracted massive influx of British settlers, causing cultural disruptions.

• Outnumber Competition: Rising British population led to disputes regarding taxes and control.

• Cecil Rhodes and Conflict: He incited Uitlanders (Dutch for outsiders) against Boers, causing further tensions.

• Boer War (1899): Initiated as Boers fought for independence against British forces. Early Boer victories were eventually met with overwhelming British reinforcements, leading to Boer surrender by 1902.

• Formation of the Union of South Africa (1910): Collaboration between Boers and British, leading to stability and prosperity in South Africa.

British Influence in Egypt

• Strategic Interest in Egypt: Britain gained control following the Suez Canal completion in 1869, vital for trade routes.

• Financial Control: British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli purchased shares of the canal, ensuring British influence.

• Political Instability: Egyptian uprisings led to British dominance in financial affairs; British presence extended until the 20th century.

• Economic Improvements: British efforts led to the ending of slavery, introduction of Western legal systems, and improvements in irrigation and economy.

Australia and New Zealand: Colonial History

• Cook's Voyages (1770s): Captain Cook confirmed the existence of Australia as a significant landmass.

• Initial Settlement (1788): Primarily convicts and debtors were transported to Australia; initial struggles with immorality ensued.

• Response to Struggles: Authorities encouraged free settlers leading to establishment of strong Christian communities.

• Gold Rush (1851): Accelerated population growth by 800% in subsequent years, leading to self-governance in 1850 and independence by 1901.

New Zealand's Colonial Experience

• Initial British Settlement: Early whalers and sealers had a detrimental influence on Maori society.

• Conflict Between Cultures: Land disputes led to violence but various missionaries attempted to maintain peace.

• Treaty of Waitangi (1840):

  • Over 500 Maori chiefs recognized Queen Victoria's sovereignty in exchange for protection.

  • Chiefs “signed” by tattooing facial patterns, symbolizing consent.

• Self-Governance: By 1852, New Zealand achieved self-governance, becoming independent by 1907.

British Empire's Global Reach

• “The Sun Never Sets”: The efficiency with which the British Empire expanded was seen as unparalleled since Roman times.

• Benefits Shared: Britain shared its Christian faith and democratic governance with its colonies effectively.

• Decline of Empire: Post Queen Victoria, decline became apparent under Edward VII's reign, leading to increased moral and philosophical challenges in Britain.

Philosophical Influences on Britain

• Darwinism:

  • Charles Darwin (1809–1882): Published On the Origin of Species (1859), proposing natural selection.

  • Shifted focus from divine creation to natural processes, embraced by those seeking to challenge societal morals.

• Socialism:

  • Proposed government control of economy to ensure equality but discouraged free enterprise.

  • Historical figures include Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, promoting the concept of “greatest happiness for the greatest number.”

  • Christian Socialists and Fabian Society sought reforms to facilitate gradual socialist changes.

• Modernism:

  • Emerged from Germany, critiquing biblical truth, promoting social justice over personal salvation.

  • Led to widespread philosophical shifts by the late 19th century.

Ireland and British Relations

• Religious Conflict: Protestant England vs. predominantly Catholic Ireland led to tensions.

  • Historical laws suppressed Catholic rights and established Protestant supremacy.

• Acts of Reform: Various legislative measures attempted to improve the situation, including the Act of Union (1800) and the Catholic Emancipation Act (1829).

• Potato Famine Affects (1840s): Led to mass emigration to the U.S. and heightened anti-British sentiments.

• Gladstone’s Efforts: Prime Minister tried to establish home rule but faced resistance.

• Partitioning of Ireland (1921): Established the Irish Free State, while Northern Ireland remained with the UK, leading to ongoing tensions.

• Complete Independence: In 1949, the Irish Free State became the Republic of Ireland, but political divisions continue to this day across Northern Ireland.