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The British takeover and its consequences

The British takeover of the Cape, the 1820 Settlers, the end of slavery and the causes of the Great Trek. Read one part at a time and tap “I know this”. Then test yourself in the quiz.

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British rule

  • Britain first took the Cape in 1795, gave it back to the Dutch (the Batavian Republic) in 1803, and took it again after the Battle of Blaauwberg in 1806, this time permanently. About 4 000 British settlers arrived in 1820.
  • A military post at Grahamstown (1812) was to control the eastern frontier.
  • 1834–1838: the ‘apprenticeship’: freed people had to keep working for their owners. Many trekkers were angry that slaves were freed without full payment.
The 1820 Settlers land at Algoa Bay.
The 1820 Settlers land at Algoa Bay.
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The Great Trek

Unhappy withBritishpolicyFamiliesmove by oxwagonConflictover land inthe interiorNew Boerrepublics
In Natal the trekkers met the Zulu under Dingane. Britain annexed the republics later.

The trekkers travelled by ox wagon in family groups, because they meant to settle permanently; a laager is wagons drawn into a circle. The same event is told differently, because each group experienced it differently: look at sources from all groups.

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Remember this and test yourself

Remember this: your summary
  • Britain took the Cape permanently in 1806 to control the sea route to India; the Cape was a colony.
  • The 1820 Settlers were British settlers on the frontier; most landed at Algoa Bay (near today’s Gqeberha) and struggled with the land and climate.
  • English becomes the official language (Lord Charles Somerset from 1822), with English courts.
  • Ordinance 50 (1828) gave the Khoikhoi more freedom; slavery was abolished in 1834.
  • The Great Trek: Boer families moved inland, unhappy with British policy.

Write these points in your book. Read them again the night before the test.

Memory trick

Britain’s key years: 1806 takeover, 1820 settlers, 1834 slaves freed.

Flash cards · Tap to turn over

Important words

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Test yourself · Part 2

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