colonisation of the cape

Motivation for European Sea Route to the East

• European countries sought direct trade routes with Eastern countries (Spice Islands).

• This required finding a sea route around Africa to the Indian Ocean.

• The sea journey between Europe and the Spice Islands was long and perilous:

  • Ships were frequently damaged during storms.

  • Sailors often suffered from illness due to lack of fresh fruit and vegetables.

• A stopping point was needed along the route for:

  • Fresh food and water supplies.

  • Rest for sailors.

  • Ship repairs.

• The VOC (Dutch East India Company) decided the Cape was the ideal location, being approximately halfway between the Netherlands and the Spice Islands.

Dutch Settlement at the Cape (1652)

• In 1652, Dutch settlers, led by Jan van Riebeeck, arrived at the Cape.

• They established a small settlement at present-day Cape Town.

• Key developments and structures included:

  • Houses for residents.

  • A garden to cultivate fresh vegetables.

  • A hospital for sick sailors.

  • A fort for soldiers to defend the settlement.

• They utilized wood from mountain forests for ship repairs.

• Initially, meat was purchased from the Khoi, who already resided at the Cape.

• When the VOC gardens could not produce enough food, farms were started to grow more crops.

Dutch East India Company (DEIC / VOC)

• Dutch trade with the East was managed by a company known as the DEIC.

• DEIC stands for Dutch East India Company.

• Its Dutch name was VOC, which stands for Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie.

Similarities between Slavery at the Cape and American South

• At both locations, slaves were brought to work on farms, assisting with heavy labor.

• Initially, slaves spoke various languages and had diverse customs and religions; European settlers taught them their language and religion.

• Most slaves were captured in raids or wars and subsequently sold to slave traders.

• Some slaves were sold by their rulers, often in exchange for guns.

• Upon arrival, slaves were sold at auction to the highest bidder.

• Family members were frequently sold to different owners.

• Slaves could be sold multiple times throughout their lives.

• Strict rules were imposed on slaves, which they had to obey.

• Slaves resisted in various ways:

  • Working slowly on purpose.

  • Pretending not to understand instructions.

  • Breaking or losing farm tools.

  • Feigning sickness.

  • Setting fire to owners' houses and farms.

  • A few instances involved slaves killing their owners.

  • Some slaves ran away and attempted to escape, though runaways were usually caught and punished harshly.

• The labor performed by slaves was crucial for the development of South Africa, the Americas, and the West Indies.

  • Slaves constructed many early buildings.

  • They helped expand fruit, wheat, and other agricultural farms.

Differences between Slavery at the Cape and American South

• Number of Slaves and Timeframe:

  • Cape: Approximately 30\,000 slaves were brought over 150 years.

  • Americas/West Indies: Between 12 and 15 million slaves were brought over 300 years.

• Origin of Slaves:

  • Cape: Nearly all slaves came from regions around the Indian Ocean.

  • Americas/West Indies: Nearly all slaves came from West Africa.

  • Note: The first slaves at the Cape originated from Angola and West Africa, similar to the first slaves in the Americas and West Indies.

• Escape Methods:

  • Cape: Some runaway slaves hid on Table Mountain.

  • Americas/West Indies: Some escape attempts involved using the Underground Railroad to reach northern states or Canada, where slavery was illegal.

• Slave Rebellions:

  • Cape: There were two major slave rebellions, but uniting against owners was difficult due to strict controls and vast distances between slaves.

  • Americas/West Indies: Numerous