The Jameson Raid 1895

The Jameson Raid 1895


The BSACO colonial agent, Sir Leander Starr Jameson led the Jameson's raid against the Transvaal government under Paul Kruger.
Jameson, a British close friend of Cecil Rhodes had a clandestine move to take full control of the Transvaal government by force simply because it was a Boer republic.
In 1895, the Colonial Secretary was Joseph Chamberlain who quickly intervened in a custom and tariff war, which was developing between the Cape and Transvaal.
In 1895, Cecil Rhodes offered a custom's union, which the Transvaal refused because of the Transvaal economic strength. Therefore he tried to over throw the Boer government by supporting a civil uprising by the Uitlanders. The UitJanders appealed to Cecil Rhodes and Jameson for help in their struggle for political, civil rights and other fundamental freedoms in Transvaal.
In fact Cecil Rhodes, Col. Frank Rhodes (Cecil Rhodes elder brother) and Jameson intended that the raid should support a revolt by the Uitlanders.
Rhodes had a second thought about the success of his plan. On 281h December 1895, Jameson was sent out for the raid, but Rhodes cancelled his order.
Jameson chose to disregard the second order and the raid began with 385 to 500 soldiers from Botswana. His small force was no match for the Transvaalers who surrounded the raiders at DoornKorp and Kruger dorp after events at Rorke Drift.
In Britain, Jameson was taken as a hero, as the raid had failed and this was the second humiliation for the British.
Cecil Rhodes and his involvement in the 1895 Jameson Raid
Since he was the controller of the BSACO, which had been granted a charter to operate in Southern Africa by the British government, Rhodes had the thirst to establish British influence in the area.
Rhodes was therefore determined to change the Transvaal government under Paul Kruger and be in position to replace it with a British controlled government possibly under the Utilanders.
On many occasions, he convinced the Transvaal Uti landers go in revolt against the Kruger government in the Republic.
His policy and decision on the Boers was not in favor of compromise, or understanding with the British. It is this that angered him to the extent of the 1895 Jameson Raid, he ordered Sir. Starr Leader Jameson to attack the Boers .
The Boer control of mineral resources in South Africa made him concerned with envy and jealousy to have the British control over Transvaal.
Rhodes very much advocated for the idea of Federation and on many occasions he was so worried and disturbed by the slow progress to achieve the idea. His health problems, fatigue and exhaustion made him impatient about the union of white states, which drove him the sanction the raid. He always wanted union now and not in the near future.
He also organized coordinated plans to smuggle weapons to be used in rebellions by the Uti landers miners on the Rand, as the British colonial secretary Joseph Chamberlain was fully aware of these plans.
He made calculated plans with British industrialists in Transvaal to start rebellion in order to arouse the Utilanders revolt. According to the plan-with a rebellion the British invasion in Transvaal could follow to protect Utilanders interests.
He was also a major brain behind the Jameson Raid because as director and head of the BSACO, he mobilized volunteer troops under the command of Jameson to start and support of an Uitlander revolt on the Transvaal Republic.
Rhodes supported the Reform Movement started by the Uti landers in Transvaal to fight for their rights. He also wanted to achieve the fuU right of citizenship for the Utilanders. He was in fact fuUy committed to the end.
When Gold was discovered on the Rand 1885, he formed the consolidated Gold Fields Company, which also employed many Utilanders as employees of the Company. Therefore by 1895 Jameson Raid, he felt it was the duty and word right by him to protect and uphold the interests of the Utilanders.
Rhodes strongly believed that the British nation had a special duty and talent to rule other races. He therefore devoted bis wealth to train British personnel (Utilanders) to realize his vision. Once the Boers were in his way to prevent realization of this. he was determined to instigate the Utilanders on the Rand to start a rebellion.