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Published online: 24 February 2022. Summary. British views of African populations from 1800 to 1970 reflected the larger discourse about Africa in this period. These views shaped how the British state and private groups attempted to measure and influence African population trends.
- Overview
- “Legitimate” trade and the persistence of slavery
- The Mfengu and the Mantatee
- Moshoeshoe
By the time the Cape changed hands during the Napoleonic Wars, humanitarians were vigorously campaigning against slavery, and in 1807 they succeeded in persuading Britain to abolish the trade; British antislavery ships soon patrolled the western coast of Africa. Ivory became the most important export from west-central Africa, satisfying the growing demand in Europe. The western port of Benguela was the main outlet, and the Ovimbundu and Chokwe, renowned hunters, were the major suppliers. They penetrated deep into south-central Africa, decimating the elephant populations with their firearms. By 1850 they were in Luvale and Lozi country and were penetrating the southern Congo forests.
The more sparse, agricultural Ovambo peoples to the south also were drawn into the ivory trade. Initially trading in salt, copper, and iron from the Etosha Pan region to the north, and supplying hides and ivory to Portuguese traders, the Ovambo largely had been able to avoid the slave trade that ravaged their more populous neighbours. By the mid 19th century the advent of firearms led to a vast increase in the volume of the ivory trade, though the trade collapsed as the elephants were nearly exterminated by the 1880s. By then, traders from Angola, the Cape Colony, and Walvis Bay sought cattle as well as ivory. With the firearms acquired through the trade, Ovambo chiefs built up their power, raiding the pastoral Herero and Nama people in the vast, arid region to their south.
By the time the Cape changed hands during the Napoleonic Wars, humanitarians were vigorously campaigning against slavery, and in 1807 they succeeded in persuading Britain to abolish the trade; British antislavery ships soon patrolled the western coast of Africa. Ivory became the most important export from west-central Africa, satisfying the growing demand in Europe. The western port of Benguela was the main outlet, and the Ovimbundu and Chokwe, renowned hunters, were the major suppliers. They penetrated deep into south-central Africa, decimating the elephant populations with their firearms. By 1850 they were in Luvale and Lozi country and were penetrating the southern Congo forests.
The more sparse, agricultural Ovambo peoples to the south also were drawn into the ivory trade. Initially trading in salt, copper, and iron from the Etosha Pan region to the north, and supplying hides and ivory to Portuguese traders, the Ovambo largely had been able to avoid the slave trade that ravaged their more populous neighbours. By the mid 19th century the advent of firearms led to a vast increase in the volume of the ivory trade, though the trade collapsed as the elephants were nearly exterminated by the 1880s. By then, traders from Angola, the Cape Colony, and Walvis Bay sought cattle as well as ivory. With the firearms acquired through the trade, Ovambo chiefs built up their power, raiding the pastoral Herero and Nama people in the vast, arid region to their south.
The upheaval affected the southern chiefdoms and rebellious tributaries attacked by Shaka as far away as Pondoland. Many of the refugees fled either into the eastern Cape or west onto the Highveld, although their precise number is a matter of dispute. In both areas the arrival of the refugees added to upheavals of very different origin. The Mfengu,...
Others shattered by the dual impact of the wars emanating from Zululand and the activities of labour raiders from the south scrambled to safety in the mountain fortresses of what is now Lesotho. There Moshoeshoe, the Koena leader, built a new kingdom at Thaba Bosiu, defeating and then incorporating his main rivals. Moshoeshoe quickly appreciated th...
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the opening up of africa: (2) from the maghrib 52 five. west africa before the colonial period, 1800–1875 63 six. western central africa, 1800–1880 78 seven. eastern central africa, 1800–1884 90 eight. southern africa, 1800–1885 103 nine. the partition of africa on paper, 1879–1891 118 ten. the partition of africa on the ground, 1891 ...
displays 1929–34 estimates of African population by colonial era authorities, and it Table 10.1. African population in the national era: United Nations estimates Population 1950 Population 2000 Average annual growth rate 1950–2000 (%) Africa 220,263,472 817,673,000 2.66% Sub-Saharan Africa 176,150,472 676,586,000 2.73%
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Apr 25, 2024 · The interior of Africa was sparsely populated in the early 1800s. Nevertheless, the ivory trade increased once the Atlantic slave trade began to diminish.
Feb 20, 2023 · Baseline estimates suggest the world population grew by 123%, from just above 1 billion in 1800 to 2.2 billion in 1938. Total population grew in almost all polities but the increase differed significantly, ranging from near stagnation in many African countries (and France and China) to over ten times in most immigration countries, including the US.
Mar 1, 2013 · population appears to h ave taken place between the 1900s and 1950s, with the greatest population growth being attained in the subsequent period, 1950 - 2000. Manning’s evidence also suggests ...
