Scramble for Africa

During the 19^th century, the Europeans initiated subjugating pilgrimages to Africa that caused dramatic change within the civilization. Demands for raw materials, nationalism, and imperialism fueled the expeditions. David Livingstone, a Scottish missionary and explorer, travelled to Central Africa and made reports of slave trade (C). This publicized the area not only to the masses, but also to missionaries.

Robert Moffat, Livingstone’s father-in-law, established the Inyati Mission in Mzilikaze, creating the 1^st permanent European settlement in Africa (C). Increasing competition between Portuguese versus British to acquire African lands initiated the Pioneer Column, an organization created by Cecil Rhodes, a British, to cross the Limpopo River (E). After crossing the river, Rhodes established Fort Victoria, present day Masvingo. (C)

The Ruins of Fort Victoria

With the arrival of Cecil Rhodes, who believed that, “the English had an inherent right to imperial rule because they were the first race in the world and therefore the more of the world they inhabited, the better it would be for the human race.” (E). In Rhodesia, an all-white government banned native Africans from voting and participating in election. Unequal laws restricted Africans from numerous public places. This marked the start of the white minority domination and the oppression of the native population.