History of South Africa
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Brief Overview
In 1652 Dutch settlers arrived at the Cape and set up a refreshment post for the journey to the East Indies. The Dutch colonized the area, and continued to move inland while trying not to impact the local people (Bantu speaking groups and Khoikhoi). In the eighteenth century, the British arrived; this accelerated the colonization process. The Cape colony was ceded to the British in 1814. In 1836, the Great Trek of the Boers, where they moved away from the British in the Cape, occurred. This led to the founding of the Republic of Natal in 1838 and the Orange Free State in 1854. Britain took Natal from the Boers in 1843. The Transvaal was recognized as an independent state by the British in 1852 and the Cape Colony was granted self-government in 1872. Zulu War and two Anglo-Boer wars followed. Briefly, the country was unified under British rule in 1910. Independence for white minority rule came in 1934. In 1958 Dr. Hendrik Verwoerd, the Prime Minister, introduced the Grand Apartheid policy. The African National Congress (ANC) came into power in 1994 when the first multiracial, multiparty elections were held.
Time Line
Prior to 1460
People began settling in South Africa. There are signs that humans were in South Africa 4 million years ago. South Africa is known as the "Cradle of Humankind."
1460
Portuguese navigators are sent by the Portuguese Royal House to find a sea-route around the southern tip of Africa to India.
1497
Portuguese explorer, Vasco de Gama, is the first explorer to set foot on South African soil. He saw the native inhabitants (Khoikhoi).
1498
Vasco de Gama establishes the Portuguese monopoly of the sea trade to India.
1500
The Portuguese begin exploring and mapping the South African coastline. Trading takes place between the Khoikhoi and the Portuguese.
1500s-1580
The Portuguese power slowly starts to fade during this time. Other European nations begin pursuing the sea route instead of the land route to India.
1580
English admiral, Francis Drake, rounds the Cape on his voyage around the world on his quest to reach India for the English Crown.
1590s
The English and the Dutch begin to regularly stop at the Cape (which they called Table Bay because of Table Mountain) on their way to and from Asia. They traded iron and copper with the Khoikhoi.
1601
Men from the East India Company of England round the Cape on their way to the East.
1602
Men from the Dutch East India Company (VOC) also round the Cape on their way to the East.
1620
English Captains Andrew Shillinge and Humphrey Fitzherbert formerly annex the shores of Table Bay in the name of King James 1, but the King refuses to confirm the annexation.
1652
The Dutch East India Company establishes a refreshment station at Table Bay, where ships can stop on their way to India to fix repairs and buy food and supplies for the rest of the journey. Jan van Riebeeck is the man in charge of building the refreshment station.
1655
There are slaves on the Cape that work for the Dutch, but they are not the native inhabitants of South Africa. They are from Madagascar.
1657
The Khoikhoi steal livestock and goods from the Dutch. Jan van Riebeeck decides to construct fortifications and a watch tower. This is the first official policy of territorial segregation. However, van Riebeeck is still trying to get the Khoikhoi on his side.
1659
The first Khoikhoi-Dutch war begins. The armed confrontations are over ownership of the land. The Khoikhoi felt the Dutch had taken over their land. The Dutch constructed more forts, gates, and watchtowers. The Khoikhoi are now constricted to a certain area, and have to use designated gates when entering the enclosed fortified area.
1660
the first Khoikhoi-Dutch war ends.
1661
Expeditions into the interior north of the Cape occurs. The expeditions are led by Pieter Cruythoff.
1662
Zaccharias Waganaer succeeds Jan van Riebeeck. The refreshment station has become a colony.
1670s
The Dutch continue to explore land beyond the Cape. They find more Khoikhoi and attempt to take their land. There is another Khoikhoi-Dutch war over land and livestock. The Dutch win and overtake the Khoikhoi land.
1680
A new settlement along the Eerste River is formed. It is named Stellenbosch.
1682
The Dutch people living in the Cape are instructed to oppose all mixture of race. This is the first time such instructions to separate races are given.
1715
The Trek Boers raid the Khoikhoi cattle and livestock. The Trek Boers are nomadic pastoralists descended from Dutch colonists.
1728
Conflict still continues between the Trek Boers and the Khoikhoi.
1730s-1780s
The commercial and political influence of the Dutch Trading Company declines.
1780-1783
War between the Dutch and the English occurs.
1795
First British occupation of the Cape. The rule of the Dutch Trading Company comes to an end.
1803-1806
A new system of government is established for the Cape by the Dutch (under Batavian government rule).
1813
The Cape Town Free School for needy white children is founded.
1814
The official cession of the Cape by the Batavian government to Britain occurs. (Britain takes over the government from the Dutch).
1816
Shaka kaSenzangakhona becomes Zulu ruler.
1820
Approximately 5,000 British settlers from economically depressed British regions arrive in South Africa to increase the white population.
1828
Shaka kaSenzangakhona is assassinated by Dingane.
1834
Official emancipation of slaves. However, they are still indentured as "apprentices."
1836
The Great Trek of the Boers occurs. They moved away from the British in the Cape.
1840-1880s
The Cape Colony begins a slow move toward greater independence from Britain.
1852
The Transvaal is recognized as an independent state by the British.
1854
The colony is granted its first locally elected legislature.
1872
The colony attains responsible government with a locally accountable executive and Prime Minister. The Cape still remained part of the British Empire.
1880
The First Anglo-Boer War breaks out. Today it is known as the "War of Independence."
1881
The war ends and the Cape gains its independence as the Republic of South Africa.
1883
An election occurs. Paul Kruger wins; he becomes the President.
1886
Proclamation of the first gold mines. Many foreigners come to the Cape in hopes of striking it rich.
1889
The Second Anglo-Boer War breaks out. The British did not withdraw their troops from the Republic of South Africa's borders, so South Africa declared war.
1902
The war ends after the Treaty of Vereeniging is signed.
1904
Paul Kruger dies of cardiac failure.
1910
South Africa is unified by British dominion.
1912
The African National Congress (ANC) is formed to bring all Africans together as one people to defend their rights and freedoms.
1913
The Native Land Act divides land between black and white people. Reserves (bantustans) are set up to zone black Africans to 13% of the total land are of South Africa.
1920
The (Black) Native Affairs Act is passed. It paves the way for the creation of a countrywide system of tribally-based district councils .
1923
The Natives (Urban Area) Act is passed. This act regulates the presence of black Africans in urban areas.
1920s-1940s
Blacks and colored people continue to be discriminated against. Many acts and laws are formed to keep them separate from white people.
1934
Independence for white minority rule occurs.
1941
The ANC Youth League (ANCYL) is formally constituted.
1943
The ANC Women's League is formed.
1944
Nelson Mandela joins the ANC at age 25.
1948
The Nationalist Party, under Dr. D.F. Malan comes into power. Apartheid in South Africa is institutionalized.
1950
Nelson Mandela becomes the President of the ANCYL.
1951
The ANC calls a meeting in Johannesburg to plan the Defiance Campaign, which is a resistance towards the South African government.
1952
The ANC launches the Defiance Campaign.
1953
The Bantu Education Act is passed. This act was a segregation act that separated blacks from attending white schools.
1954
Bantu Education is protested by black teachers and students.
1955
South African women are instructed to carry passes.
1958
Dr. H.F. Verwoerd becomes the Prime Minister of South Africa. He is remembered as the man behind the conception and implementation of the apartheid system. He described apartheid as "policy of good neighborliness."
1960
The Minister of Bantu Education prohibits African students from attending certain universities.
The Sharpeville Massacre occurs. At this massacre, police shot 69 people and wounded 200 people that were peacefully demonstrating against black laws.
1961
The United Nations debated apartheid in South Africa. A resolution against apartheid was voted on.
The ANC forms an armed wing.
1962
A United Nations representative visits South Africa to investigate the conditions.
The United Nations adopts a resolution against South Africa's racial policies.
1963
The Rivonia Trials occurs. Nelson Mandela and other ANC leaders are sentenced to life imprisonment for sabotage and attempting to overthrow the state violently.
1970
Prices continue to rise, making it difficult for workers to survive on low wages. Many strikes occur.
1970-1980s
The ANC and other black, colored, women, and youth protest groups continue the Defiance Campaign. Many arrests are made, and many people are killed and wounded by the government. The international community also begins putting a strain on South Africa to end the apartheid system.
1980
Massive school boycotts occur.
1989
Nelson Mandela meets with President P.W. Botha, even though he is still jailed, to talk about the ANC.
President Botha resigns as President.
F.W. de Clerk is elected President of South Africa.
1990
Nelson Mandela is released from prison; this signaled the beginnings of democracy. He begins right away to continue fighting against apartheid. He urges the United Nations to do everything in its power to help dismantle apartheid.
1992
March 17, 1992. A referendum is voted on to dismantle apartheid.
1994
Nelson Mandela is elected President of South Africa after the first multiracial, multiparty election occurs.
1994-present
The Republic of South Africa remains a democracy.
In 1652 Dutch settlers arrived at the Cape and set up a refreshment post for the journey to the East Indies. The Dutch colonized the area, and continued to move inland while trying not to impact the local people (Bantu speaking groups and Khoikhoi). In the eighteenth century, the British arrived; this accelerated the colonization process. The Cape colony was ceded to the British in 1814. In 1836, the Great Trek of the Boers, where they moved away from the British in the Cape, occurred. This led to the founding of the Republic of Natal in 1838 and the Orange Free State in 1854. Britain took Natal from the Boers in 1843. The Transvaal was recognized as an independent state by the British in 1852 and the Cape Colony was granted self-government in 1872. Zulu War and two Anglo-Boer wars followed. Briefly, the country was unified under British rule in 1910. Independence for white minority rule came in 1934. In 1958 Dr. Hendrik Verwoerd, the Prime Minister, introduced the Grand Apartheid policy. The African National Congress (ANC) came into power in 1994 when the first multiracial, multiparty elections were held.
Time Line
Prior to 1460
People began settling in South Africa. There are signs that humans were in South Africa 4 million years ago. South Africa is known as the "Cradle of Humankind."
1460
Portuguese navigators are sent by the Portuguese Royal House to find a sea-route around the southern tip of Africa to India.
1497
Portuguese explorer, Vasco de Gama, is the first explorer to set foot on South African soil. He saw the native inhabitants (Khoikhoi).
1498
Vasco de Gama establishes the Portuguese monopoly of the sea trade to India.
1500
The Portuguese begin exploring and mapping the South African coastline. Trading takes place between the Khoikhoi and the Portuguese.
1500s-1580
The Portuguese power slowly starts to fade during this time. Other European nations begin pursuing the sea route instead of the land route to India.
1580
English admiral, Francis Drake, rounds the Cape on his voyage around the world on his quest to reach India for the English Crown.
1590s
The English and the Dutch begin to regularly stop at the Cape (which they called Table Bay because of Table Mountain) on their way to and from Asia. They traded iron and copper with the Khoikhoi.
1601
Men from the East India Company of England round the Cape on their way to the East.
1602
Men from the Dutch East India Company (VOC) also round the Cape on their way to the East.
1620
English Captains Andrew Shillinge and Humphrey Fitzherbert formerly annex the shores of Table Bay in the name of King James 1, but the King refuses to confirm the annexation.
1652
The Dutch East India Company establishes a refreshment station at Table Bay, where ships can stop on their way to India to fix repairs and buy food and supplies for the rest of the journey. Jan van Riebeeck is the man in charge of building the refreshment station.
1655
There are slaves on the Cape that work for the Dutch, but they are not the native inhabitants of South Africa. They are from Madagascar.
1657
The Khoikhoi steal livestock and goods from the Dutch. Jan van Riebeeck decides to construct fortifications and a watch tower. This is the first official policy of territorial segregation. However, van Riebeeck is still trying to get the Khoikhoi on his side.
1659
The first Khoikhoi-Dutch war begins. The armed confrontations are over ownership of the land. The Khoikhoi felt the Dutch had taken over their land. The Dutch constructed more forts, gates, and watchtowers. The Khoikhoi are now constricted to a certain area, and have to use designated gates when entering the enclosed fortified area.
1660
the first Khoikhoi-Dutch war ends.
1661
Expeditions into the interior north of the Cape occurs. The expeditions are led by Pieter Cruythoff.
1662
Zaccharias Waganaer succeeds Jan van Riebeeck. The refreshment station has become a colony.
1670s
The Dutch continue to explore land beyond the Cape. They find more Khoikhoi and attempt to take their land. There is another Khoikhoi-Dutch war over land and livestock. The Dutch win and overtake the Khoikhoi land.
1680
A new settlement along the Eerste River is formed. It is named Stellenbosch.
1682
The Dutch people living in the Cape are instructed to oppose all mixture of race. This is the first time such instructions to separate races are given.
1715
The Trek Boers raid the Khoikhoi cattle and livestock. The Trek Boers are nomadic pastoralists descended from Dutch colonists.
1728
Conflict still continues between the Trek Boers and the Khoikhoi.
1730s-1780s
The commercial and political influence of the Dutch Trading Company declines.
1780-1783
War between the Dutch and the English occurs.
1795
First British occupation of the Cape. The rule of the Dutch Trading Company comes to an end.
1803-1806
A new system of government is established for the Cape by the Dutch (under Batavian government rule).
1813
The Cape Town Free School for needy white children is founded.
1814
The official cession of the Cape by the Batavian government to Britain occurs. (Britain takes over the government from the Dutch).
1816
Shaka kaSenzangakhona becomes Zulu ruler.
1820
Approximately 5,000 British settlers from economically depressed British regions arrive in South Africa to increase the white population.
1828
Shaka kaSenzangakhona is assassinated by Dingane.
1834
Official emancipation of slaves. However, they are still indentured as "apprentices."
1836
The Great Trek of the Boers occurs. They moved away from the British in the Cape.
1840-1880s
The Cape Colony begins a slow move toward greater independence from Britain.
1852
The Transvaal is recognized as an independent state by the British.
1854
The colony is granted its first locally elected legislature.
1872
The colony attains responsible government with a locally accountable executive and Prime Minister. The Cape still remained part of the British Empire.
1880
The First Anglo-Boer War breaks out. Today it is known as the "War of Independence."
1881
The war ends and the Cape gains its independence as the Republic of South Africa.
1883
An election occurs. Paul Kruger wins; he becomes the President.
1886
Proclamation of the first gold mines. Many foreigners come to the Cape in hopes of striking it rich.
1889
The Second Anglo-Boer War breaks out. The British did not withdraw their troops from the Republic of South Africa's borders, so South Africa declared war.
1902
The war ends after the Treaty of Vereeniging is signed.
1904
Paul Kruger dies of cardiac failure.
1910
South Africa is unified by British dominion.
1912
The African National Congress (ANC) is formed to bring all Africans together as one people to defend their rights and freedoms.
1913
The Native Land Act divides land between black and white people. Reserves (bantustans) are set up to zone black Africans to 13% of the total land are of South Africa.
1920
The (Black) Native Affairs Act is passed. It paves the way for the creation of a countrywide system of tribally-based district councils .
1923
The Natives (Urban Area) Act is passed. This act regulates the presence of black Africans in urban areas.
1920s-1940s
Blacks and colored people continue to be discriminated against. Many acts and laws are formed to keep them separate from white people.
1934
Independence for white minority rule occurs.
1941
The ANC Youth League (ANCYL) is formally constituted.
1943
The ANC Women's League is formed.
1944
Nelson Mandela joins the ANC at age 25.
1948
The Nationalist Party, under Dr. D.F. Malan comes into power. Apartheid in South Africa is institutionalized.
1950
Nelson Mandela becomes the President of the ANCYL.
1951
The ANC calls a meeting in Johannesburg to plan the Defiance Campaign, which is a resistance towards the South African government.
1952
The ANC launches the Defiance Campaign.
1953
The Bantu Education Act is passed. This act was a segregation act that separated blacks from attending white schools.
1954
Bantu Education is protested by black teachers and students.
1955
South African women are instructed to carry passes.
1958
Dr. H.F. Verwoerd becomes the Prime Minister of South Africa. He is remembered as the man behind the conception and implementation of the apartheid system. He described apartheid as "policy of good neighborliness."
1960
The Minister of Bantu Education prohibits African students from attending certain universities.
The Sharpeville Massacre occurs. At this massacre, police shot 69 people and wounded 200 people that were peacefully demonstrating against black laws.
1961
The United Nations debated apartheid in South Africa. A resolution against apartheid was voted on.
The ANC forms an armed wing.
1962
A United Nations representative visits South Africa to investigate the conditions.
The United Nations adopts a resolution against South Africa's racial policies.
1963
The Rivonia Trials occurs. Nelson Mandela and other ANC leaders are sentenced to life imprisonment for sabotage and attempting to overthrow the state violently.
1970
Prices continue to rise, making it difficult for workers to survive on low wages. Many strikes occur.
1970-1980s
The ANC and other black, colored, women, and youth protest groups continue the Defiance Campaign. Many arrests are made, and many people are killed and wounded by the government. The international community also begins putting a strain on South Africa to end the apartheid system.
1980
Massive school boycotts occur.
1989
Nelson Mandela meets with President P.W. Botha, even though he is still jailed, to talk about the ANC.
President Botha resigns as President.
F.W. de Clerk is elected President of South Africa.
1990
Nelson Mandela is released from prison; this signaled the beginnings of democracy. He begins right away to continue fighting against apartheid. He urges the United Nations to do everything in its power to help dismantle apartheid.
1992
March 17, 1992. A referendum is voted on to dismantle apartheid.
1994
Nelson Mandela is elected President of South Africa after the first multiracial, multiparty election occurs.
1994-present
The Republic of South Africa remains a democracy.
Source: http://www.sahistory.org.za/