South Africa and Strategic Interests Flashcards

1️⃣ Familiarise yourself with the flashcards:

  • Look through all the flashcards to see what's on both sides.
  • Make sure you understand the information on each card. If something's unclear, click the link to the revision notes at the bottom of the page for more details.

2️⃣ Test yourself:

  • Look at the question or prompt on each card and try to remember the answer before flipping it over.
  • Check the answer and make a note of any cards you find challenging and need to go over more.

3️⃣ Consistently Review and Practice:

  • Use spaced repetition: spend more time on the cards you struggle with and go over them more often.
  • Regularly review all the flashcards to help you better understand and retain the information over time.

Note: We may include questions that have multiple correct answers. It's useful to remember specific examples to understand these concepts better.

PERSONALISED 1-TO-1 TUTORING

Need more help on this topic? Get 1-to-1 support

Get support with clear explanations, practice and feedback (Ages 5 to 16).

  • DBS-checked tutors
  • Flexible times
  • Parents can be updated
Book a free 10-min call See pricing

Want an ad-free experience? Subscribe to remove ads

Why did Britain see South Africa as important in the 1800s?

Britain saw South Africa as important because it lay on the sea route to India and Asia, so it could help protect trade and the empire.

What was the 'Cape route' to India?

The Cape route was the sea journey around the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa, used by ships sailing between Britain and India before and after the Suez Canal opened.

When did Britain take control of the Cape Colony from the Dutch, and why?

Britain took control of the Cape Colony from the Dutch in 1806, during the Napoleonic Wars, to stop France using it and to keep the route to India safe.

How did South Africa help the Royal Navy and British trade ships?

South Africa gave the Royal Navy and trade ships safe ports where they could refuel with coal, take on supplies and repair ships on long journeys.

Who were the Boers and how did they respond to British rule at the Cape?

The Boers were white farmers of Dutch origin. Many disliked British rule at the Cape and moved inland in the 1830s and 1840s on the Great Trek to set up their own republics.

Which Boer republics were set up inland, away from British control?

The main Boer republics set up inland were the Transvaal and the Orange Free State.

How did the discovery of diamonds in 1867 change British interest in South Africa?

The discovery of diamonds at Kimberley in 1867 made South Africa far more valuable, so Britain wanted stronger control over the area and its wealth.

How did the discovery of gold in the Transvaal in 1886 affect relations between Britain and the Boers?

Gold in the Transvaal made the Boer republic richer and more powerful, so Britain grew worried and tensions rose, helping to lead towards war.

Why did British leaders fear that rival European powers might gain influence in South Africa?

They feared that another power could control the ports and minerals, threaten the sea route to India and weaken Britain’s empire and navy.

How did controlling South Africa support Britain’s rule over India?

South Africa gave Britain a key stopping point and naval base on the journey to India, helping British ships move troops, goods and messages safely.

Why were African kingdoms like the Zulu seen as obstacles to British strategic plans in South Africa?

African kingdoms such as the Zulu controlled land that Britain wanted for farms, mines and routes, so Britain fought wars to bring these areas under its control.

What is meant by saying South Africa had both 'strategic' and 'economic' importance for Britain?

It means South Africa was useful both for its position on the route to India (strategic) and for its valuable resources like gold and diamonds (economic).

Previous Topic
Back to Lesson
Next Topic