Christopher Bethell and the securing of the Bechuanaland frontier, 1878-1884
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 3147085 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Andrew Manson (North-West University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 1998 |
| Volume | 24 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 485-508 |
| Publication date | 1998-09-01 |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Southern African Studies (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0305-7070 • E-ISSN: 1465-3893 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/03057079808708586 |
| OpenAlex | W1980555447 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 6 |
On 31 July 1884, Christopher Bethell, an English aristocrat, was brutally murdered in an encounter with mercenaries from the Transvaal republic whilst attempting to defend the territory of the Tshidi Barolong under chief Montshiwa. This article traces the brief career of Bethell on the cis‐Molopo frontier beyond formal British control. It follows his fortunes as hunter, trader, British official and emissary to Montshiwa during a complex and harrowing period of Tshidi Barolong history when they fought to maintain their independence from the Transvaal Boers and their Rapulana allies. Bethell became a troublesome figure in the eyes of British officials as he pressed unremittingly for British intervention in the cis—Molopo area. His marriage to a Morolong and his willingness to take up arms in defence of Montshiwa, alienated him further from official opinion. His death, however, was a trigger for British intercession in what became British Bechuanaland, and Bethell's ambitions were partly fulfilled. Bethell was reclaimed into the colonial fold after his death
Ancient history · Art · Colonialism · Economic history · Frontier · Political science · African history and culture studies · Archaeology and Rock Art Studies · History · Law · South African History and Culture
| Highly cited | No |
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