Why the Dutch lost control of the Cape Colony in 1795

Why the Dutch lost control of the Cape Colony in 1795

For over a century, the Cape Colony was administered by the Dutch East India Company (D.E.I.C.O). However, by 1794 the Company had become bankrupt, which undermined its ability toadminister the Cape colony.

The Dutch were subjected to increasing commercial rivalry from the French and the British. As time went on the Dutch were out competed in trade and this undermined the Dutch economic performance and led to loss of political control over the Cape Colony.

The Cape Colony was administered by inefficient and corrupt officials. The settlers hated the unfair taxes and other Company policies. They organized a rebellion against the administration in 1795. This state of affairs facilitated the advance of the British ships, which captured the Cape in 1795.

By 1795, the Cape had become strategically very important to the British. Britain was at war with France and feared that the French could block the sea route to India if they occupied the Cape. This forced the British to occupy it.

The Dutch defense at the Cape was not strong enough to check British attacks with more trained and superior weapons to occupy the Cape in 1795.

Thus 1795, the Dutch lost the Cape to the British. However, the British control of the Cape was short lived. During the short period of British rule nothing significant was made to reform the administrative system of the Cape Colony. Although the British took the highest administrative system of the Cape and posts, the Dutch colonists filled most of the remaining posts.

In 1802, British rule at the Cape came to an end. This was due to the 1802 Peace Treaty of Amiens signed between Britain and France, as one of the treaty terms committed Britain to return the Cape Colony to the Dutch.

By February 1803, the Cape was officially under the Batavian Republic or dynasty, a new name, which Netherlands assumed after a change of government at the time

THE CAPE COLONY UNDER BATA VIAN REPUBLIC OR/ DYNASTY 1802 – 06

In 1803, the Batavian Republic formed in Holland (Netherlands) took over the control of the Cape Colony. The Cape remained under the Batavian Republic for three years.

The new Dutch government of the Cape was headed by Governor Lt. Gen. Janssens and a Commissioner General Jacobus de’Mist. Senior Posts were given to the Batavians (who were mainly Dutch) and the British were retained as subordinate staff in the civil service.

The officials of the new government operated under the influence of the revolutionary ideas of liberty, fraternity, justice and equality. This made them carry out a number of reforms at the Cape Colony.

These new political ideas had been introduced by the 1789 French revolution in Europe.

The Netherlands East India Company and its monopolies were abolished, as the Batavian rulers proclaimed their belief in freedom and democracy.

Free trade and political representation were limited to Boer/ Burghers (native farmers). Slaves remained slaves and a new law emphasized rights for servants in courts and police.

The Batavian government exploited Khoisan and Xhosa quarrels over captured cattle and sheep in the Zuurveld by recruiting the Khoisan as allies. The Batavian government promised fair treatment for Khoisan servants by giving them written contracts registered with the land drost.

The new administrators reformed the judicial system by making the High Court Independent of the Executive. Freedom of Worship was extended to all religious groups at the Cape and to associations.

Economically the new authority started new Agricultural projects, for instance the Merino breed of sheep was introduced from Spain. This brought a lot of changes in the economy of the Cape with sales of wool and mutton and salted beef.

Other economic reforms included the removal of trade barriers to Dutch settlers, giving land to the local Khoikhoi and human treatment of the non-whites.

The Batavian rule was under Governor Jan Janssens 1804 - 1806.

The Batavians also reformed the local government system. Districts were recognized and subdivided each under an administrative officer.

The government representative in each district was known as ‘rand’ and or ‘rost '.

A Government representative performed the duties of a Magistrate and settled minor criminal cases. He was assisted by six elders when dealing with civil cases.

Each subdivision was headed by ‘a field cornet’ or Veldt Kornet.

The concept of equal education opportunities for all the classes of people was also introduced.

The Church at the Cape became more liberal with religion and beliefs unlike the Dutch Reformed Church in the interior of the Cape.

The new ideas were to exercise influence in the British administrative policies and became points of friction between the Boers and the British administrators.

Thus it can be noted that during the 3 years of the Batavian rule, the Dutch still regarded Africans as an inferior race (racial separation continued).

The life span of the Batavian republic was short lived due to the renewal of war between Britain and France in Europe.

Some notable achievements of the Batavian administration at the Cape

The Batavian government at the Cape governed between 1803 - 1806. The administration became efficient and effective. Lieutenant General Van William Janssens tried to accommodate the British in the civil service.

The High Court was independent of influence from the executive. There were ‘checks and balance’ and ‘separation of powers'.

Restrictions on trade to the Dutch settlers were removed.

Land was given the Khoikhoi people at the Cape.

Non-whites were considered as humans.

White labor rather than slave labor was also encouraged.

Freedom of worship was also extended to the people.

Equality, liberty, fraternity and justice to some extent existed.

The rearing of Merino sheep was also encouraged by the Batavian administration. This breed of sheep came from Spain. The local government was also reformed.

It tried to lessen conflicts and disputes with the Africans.

Peace was also restored in different districts.

The ‘land drost' (who performed the duties of the magistrate in each district) was appointed.

The rights of the settlers were also restored.

It also failed to stop the British takeover of the Cape in ' 1806' up to ' 1814’ when it was a formal occupation.

Its diplomatic maneuvers failed to work at the time.

Why did the Batavians lose control of the Cape Colony by 1806?

British occupation of the Cape in 1806.

The British were commanded by determined and battle hardened war General Biard.

The attack on the Batavians saw over 61 battle ships in the invasion.

The British were militarily superior compared to the Batavians had not modernized their army but instead the economy.

The British were determined to occupy the cape colony in 1806.

Many African groups/tribes who had been alienated by the Dutch could not support them against the British.

Many European states/countries failed to support the Batavians because they had supported the French during the Napoleonic wars in Europe.

The peace treaty of Amiens 1802 between Britain and France had collapsed by 1806.

British interests in Europe and Asia were in danger of an alliance between the Batavians in Holland and the French under Emperor Napoleon I.

Batavians rule at the Cape by 1806 was in total bankruptcy to avert the second British occupation.

The British were determined to protect;

British/ their interests at the Cape Colony.

Their markets in South Africa.

The Colony as their calling station.

Their prestige and nationalists interests

Their defensive installations at the Cape against other Europeans like the French and others.

Their interests against the Fronco-Dutch Alliance by 1806

Their possessions in the far East through South Africa (India and Newzealand)

Their raw material supply area.

The resumption of war in Europe between France and Britain since May 1803. British troops outnumbered the Batavian forces.

General Janssens who commanded the Batavians in the battle against the British arrived very late. General Janssens sailed swiftly to Europe by March 1806.

Sir.General David Baird assumed office and the Batavians were thrown out.