Relations of Chief Moshoeshoe with the Europeans

Relations of Chief Moshoeshoe with the Europeans

Moshoeshoe's contact and relations with the Europeans increased since 1830s and after 1840s. He first started by inviting Christian white missionaries in his kingdom following destructive wars between the Sotho, Griqua and Korana.

The Paris Evangelical Society or mission was one of the first Missionary societies in his state. They advised and were responsible to Moshoeshoe in dealings with the Europeans. Missionaries like Arbousset, Eugene Casalis and Gosselin gave him military and political support.

By 1852, with the support missionaries he was in a position to build a force of 6.000 horsemen.

Between 1830s and 1840s, the Boers had settled on some of his land, as they even refused to recognize his authority.

Between 1851- 1867, he fought with the Boers three major wars, which were called the Basuto- Boers wars (1851, 1858 and the third between 1865-67), these wars led to Boer occupation of parts of Basuto land.

In 1843, he signed a treaty with the British -Napier Treaty with the intention to ask for British protection against the Boers, as Basuto land becomes a treaty state in order to endure peace on the Cape frontier region. By the treaty he was to keep peace and enforce law and order and he was paid a salary to do this.

Conflicts between him and the Boers over land in his state increased. Therefore by December 1848, the British annexed the areas between the Orange and Vaal rivers, which they called the Orange River Sovereignty

Moshoeshoe ignored annexation due to fair terms of the treaty on land which led to the 1849 Viervoet war between Moshoeshoe and the British officials.

In 1852, the Boers tried to get rid of British rule and influence in Basutoland. Moshoeshoe joined them in this move and a British expedition sent by Sir. George Cathcart against the Basuto in 1852 was given a bloody nose at the battle of Berea Mountain.

To stop the Boer annexation of Basutoland, the British in 1854 signed the Bloemfontein Convention, which separated the Basuto and the Boers.

The Bloemfontein Convention 1854 also recognized the freedom and independence of the Boer state of the Orange River Sovereignty.

Between 1854-57, conflicts also came up again between Moshoeshoe and the Boers and by 1858 a war followed in which the Boers were defeated.

Between 1865-67, he fought another war with the Boers but this time he lost the battle. To save his kingdom from these disasters and destruction in March 1868 he requested for British protection of Basuto land.

Effects of relations between the Sotho/ Basuto and the Europeans

Depopulation of the area due to migrations and mass killings

Both the whites and the Basuto died due to conflicts

Basuto economy was ravaged

The Boer occupied part of Basutoland.

The Sotho warriors suffered

The conflicts between each other proved expensive.

Moshoeshoe destroyed many of his neighboring states like Rolong and the Tlokoa/Tlokwa.

Many Sotho neighbors became refugees and destitute(s) to other areas.

The Sotho acquired guns, cannons and horses.

Thousands of cattle were taken by neighbors or the Europeans.

It increased European need to disarm the Basuto/Africans.

Conflicts and raids between the Africans and the whites increased.

The Basuto challenged the Europeans military (Tate 1890's).

By 188, the Basuto had lost their independence and identity.

British influence in African states in the interior increased.

British interests in the Transvaal and African states increased.

It led to rise to prominence of African leaders like Moshoeshoe of the Basuto.

It led to 1878 (1880-81) Basuto- Gun war.

The Basuto interfered in Sotho politics in order to influence a civil war.

The British collaborated with Sotho neighbors like the Swazi, Tlokoa and the Rolong.

The Sotho were now united as one state.

The Basuto emerged out of these conflicts a very strong group.

Rise of prominent leaders.