Portuguese navigator Bartholomew Dias led the first expedition around South Africa to find a water route to Asia. After the expedition, numerous ships passed by South Africa but the Portuguese were the first to colonize it. However, by the early 17th century, the Dutch and British were challenging Portuguese control of the region
South Africa: Before, During, and After Decolonization
South Africa is located at the southern tip of Africa and is the southernmost country on the continent. It was colonized by Europeans until it became a union of former British colonies in 1910 and then fully independent in 1961. This timeline goes through the history of South Africa from colonization to today.
1488
Quiz
Which European country was the first to colonize the region of South Africa?
- The Netherlands
- Great Britain
- Portugal
- Sweden
1652
In 1652, the Dutch East India Company settled in the area known at the time as "Table Bay" (now Cape Town). The Dutch settlers became known as the Boers. The Boers imported slaves from Africa, India, and Malaysia to grow wheat, tend vineyards, and graze sheep. Agriculture and slavery were important industries in Dutch South Africa.
Did you know?
"Boer" means farmer in Dutch. The Boers were part of a large group of white settlers known as the "Afrikaners".
1806
In 1806, South Africa became an official colony of the British Empire after the British seized the region in 1795. The British initially colonized South Africa to use the region as a halfway point between England and Asia. South Africa eventually was used as a market, a source for raw materials like gold, diamonds, and ivory, and a place for British people to emigrate to.
1899-1902
During the age of British colonization, the Boers resisted many of the British policies. The Boers and the British were in almost constant conflict. In 1899, the Second Boer War started, when the Boers tried to invade the British colonies and preserve their independence, but the British came out victorious and absorbed the remaining Boer Republics.
Not so fun fact...
During the Second Boer War, the British utilized concentration camps. These concentration camps housed Boer women and children. Up to 28,000 women and children died in these camps.
1910
Four British colonies at the southern tip of Africa peacefully joined to create the Union of South Africa. It was a self-governing country under the protection of the British Empire (British Commonwealth). It was ruled by the crown and was represented by a governor-general. Unfortunately, racial segregation was a large part of society in the union, and many native South Africans were discriminated against.