Cecil Rhodes

Definition

Cecil Rhodes was a British imperialist, businessman, and politician who played a significant role in the expansion of the British Empire in Southern Africa during the late 19th century. He is best known for founding the De Beers diamond company and for his ambition to create a 'Cape to Cairo' railway that would connect British territories from South Africa to Egypt, symbolizing the height of imperialist aspirations during this period.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Cecil Rhodes was born in 1853 in England and moved to South Africa in 1870, where he quickly became involved in the diamond mining industry.
2. He founded De Beers Consolidated Mines in 1888, which became a monopoly on diamond production and significantly influenced the global diamond market.
3. Rhodes served as Prime Minister of the Cape Colony from 1890 to 1896, advocating for British expansion and white settlement in Africa.
4. His vision of a 'Cape to Cairo' railway represented his desire for British dominance across Africa, but was met with various political and logistical challenges.
5. Rhodes's legacy is controversial due to his imperialist views and policies, which contributed to racial segregation and economic inequality in South Africa.

Review Questions

• How did Cecil Rhodes's ambitions influence British imperialism in Southern Africa?
  • Cecil Rhodes's ambitions significantly shaped British imperialism through his push for territorial expansion and economic control in Southern Africa. His establishment of the De Beers diamond company allowed Britain to dominate the diamond trade, while his dream of a 'Cape to Cairo' railway illustrated his vision of uniting British colonies across Africa. These actions not only advanced imperial interests but also intensified competition with other European powers during the Scramble for Africa.
• Evaluate the impact of Cecil Rhodes's policies on both local African populations and British settlers.
  • Cecil Rhodes's policies had profound impacts on local African populations and British settlers. For African communities, his imperialist ambitions often resulted in land dispossession, forced labor, and disruption of traditional ways of life as they were marginalized under colonial rule. Conversely, these policies facilitated opportunities for British settlers to establish farms and businesses, leading to a significant demographic shift and increased tensions between settlers and indigenous populations.
• Critically analyze how Cecil Rhodes's vision for Africa reflects broader themes of imperialism and economic exploitation during the late 19th century.
  • Cecil Rhodes's vision for Africa encapsulates broader themes of imperialism and economic exploitation prevalent during the late 19th century. His ambition to create a continuous British territory from Cape to Cairo illustrates the ideology of manifest destiny that drove colonial powers to expand their reach. Furthermore, his focus on resource extraction through companies like De Beers demonstrates how economic interests often superseded ethical considerations regarding indigenous rights. This exploitation not only shaped geopolitical landscapes but also laid foundations for enduring socioeconomic inequalities that persist today.

Related terms

Imperialism:

A policy or ideology where a country extends its power and influence over other nations or territories, often through colonization or military force.

The Scramble for Africa:

The rapid invasion, colonization, and annexation of African territory by European powers during the late 19th century.

Boer War: A conflict between the British Empire and two Boer republics in South Africa (the South African Republic and the Orange Free State) from 1899 to 1902, largely fueled by tensions over control of gold and diamond resources.