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Topic 4 - Unit 1

The document discusses the history of diamond mining in South Africa, highlighting the transition from an agricultural to an industrial economy due to the Mineral Revolution. It details the establishment of closed compounds for African laborers, which restricted their freedom and led to poor living conditions, while also addressing the land dispossession of African kingdoms such as the Xhosa, Zulu, and Pedi by the British. The document emphasizes the exploitation of labor and the impact of colonial policies on indigenous populations during this period.

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4 views15 pages

Topic 4 - Unit 1

The document discusses the history of diamond mining in South Africa, highlighting the transition from an agricultural to an industrial economy due to the Mineral Revolution. It details the establishment of closed compounds for African laborers, which restricted their freedom and led to poor living conditions, while also addressing the land dispossession of African kingdoms such as the Xhosa, Zulu, and Pedi by the British. The document emphasizes the exploitation of labor and the impact of colonial policies on indigenous populations during this period.

Uploaded by

95bm9wbs7f
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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Britain, diamonds mining,

labour control and land


expansion
Unit 1 (106-111)
1. Dimond Mining Starts in South Africa
• Lets see where diamonds were found BEFORE the British
Colony took over.
• Mineral Revolution- when diamonds were found and the
economy went from a an agricultural industry to industrial
industry.
• First Dimond ever found was on a farm near the Orange
River by farmer De Kalk.
• This was in Kimberly and eventually lead to the “Big Hole”
• Wealth from the Dimond mining funded the start of gold
mining
• British Colony eventually took over and were looking for
cheap labour.
2. Increasing Control Over Black Workers

• Initially immigrants worked on the mines.


• But they did not supply consistent steady
cheap labour. This was a problem.
• Miners then started looking for African
labours
• Leading to the formation of closed
compounds.
2.1. What were closed compounds?
• Compound = accommodation for migrant
workers.
• Hostels in a fenced area.
• 4-6 men shared one room and one bathroom.
• People were initially free to go and come back
as they pleased.
• When diamond mining become big, hostels
became closed compounds specifically for
African labours
Closed Compounds were introduced because:

• Reduced diamond theft


• Ensured discipline
• Full-time work supervision –
maximising work efficiency
• Eventually the closed compounds became compulsory for mine workers to live in.
(1888)
• By 1889- 10 000 mineworkers in Kimberly lived in closed compounds.
• This method was very successful in terms of production.
• No pay but only accommodation, food and cheap beer for labour on mines.
(Almost like slaves)
• No freedom to leave the compound and do their own thing. (Either in the
compound or at the mines! )
• What did they look like?
▪ Securely fenced
▪ Guarded barracks
▪ Open-air prison
Conditions in the Compound:
• Overcrowded, dirty and unhealthy
• Badly build- no windows or lights
• Slept on cement beds
• No privacy
• No security for possessions
• Little food
• They often got sick and there was a
high death rate.
2.2. Migrant Labour
• Migrant Labour = casual and unskilled workers
who move about systematically from one region
to another offering their services on a temporary.
• Often these labours worked to buy firearms.
• Migrant Workers then became controlled by the
pass system.
• Firearms were prohibited
• Closed compounds lead to a loss in freedom.
• Migrant works earned low wages
• They signed a temporary contract for each mine.
3. Final Defeat of African Kingdoms
• Increased labour demand from the Xhosa (1878)
diamond rush and then the gold rush.
• Britain the pushed land dispossession of
the African Kingdoms. (Why did they do Zulu (1879)
this? – if Africans no longer had land to call
their own they were forced to find
employment elsewhere, specifically the
mines)
Pedi (1879)
3.1. Land Dispossession and
defeated of the Xhosa
• Xhosa Wars or Cape Frontier War 9 wars in the Eastern Cape (1779-1879).
• First 3 wars were between Xhosa and Boer (Causes- cattle raining both sides
and land)
• Next 6 Wars were between the Xhosa and British (Causes- wanted to
colonise them and take their land)
• Britain built a fort in the area to have constant military presence.
• Xhosa lost their land after the 9th war and there land became part of the
Cape Colony/ British territories.
3.2. Land dispossession
and defeat of the Zulu
• Brittan tried to make Natal and the Zulus a
British Colony.
• Zulus refused so the British had to now try with
force.
• ZAR and Zulus were already fighting over land-
Britain saw an opportunity to intervein and start
the war.
• Britain tried to force the Zulus to give ZAR the
land by a court rule, the court gave Zulus the
land.
• Britain then made use of another incident.
• The Zulu Chief crossed into the ZAR land to retrieve two Zulu run always-
Britain used this opportunity to investigate conflict, boarder violations and
inhuman acts.
• Zulus offered to pay a fine. Britain wanted war so did not accept it. Britain
ordered the following:
1) turn over men who crossed boarder.
2) 2) pay compensation.
3) 3) dismantle Zulu army
4) 4) Accept British people in the land.
• Zulus accepted to keep the peace but Britain still wanted war.
• Britain sent 17 000 soldiers into the Zulu territory.
• Zulu army came to meet them.
• Britain had won.
• Zulu Kingdom had lost their freedom.
3.3. Land Dispossession and Defeat of the Pedi
• Tension between Pedi community and the
Boers. (Cause- Land)
• They lived at peace for a few years before
war broke out.
• Boers tried to set fire to the huts.
• Brittan owned the land the huts were on and
demanded 2 000 cattle as a fine for the
burning of the huts.
• This triggered two wars and Brittan had won
both.
Classwork
• Activity 1 (108)
• Mark

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