by
KYLE B.

NATIONAL FLAG OF BOTSWANA

LOCATION:

A BRIEF HISTORY OF BOTSWANA

In the 1850’s the Dutch and British began moving into Botswana. The Botswanans were pushed aside and, soon, The Dutch began moving toward the center of Botswana. They also began to kill off all the wild animals. They came close to killing all the elephants. Around the 1950’s the people of Botswana asked the British for protection from the Dutch. The Dutch were mainly farmers called Boers. The British became crafty and soon, because they were allies, took advantage of the helplessness of Botswana, and took over their culture. They forced the Botswanans to fight in wars for them. They were treated very poorly.

Colonization from the British was helpful in some ways. They got a better school system, better roads, medical facilities, and the government. But this only lasted until the British decided to take over the culture.

The fight for independence was slow. This is mainly because some thought that the British were protecting them, and that they should stay under British rule. Although, more wanted independence, so they voted, and 80% wanted independence. So on September 30, 1966, Botswana gained independence from the British.

Some of the problems they faced were they had virtually no known natural resources. They had a very harsh climate, and no working facilities from British rule. A problem they are facing today is the lack of natural resources. In a time of war, if someone blockades the harbors, they will have a hard time getting supplies.

Botswana might be different today if it never had been colonized because they might have a bad government. It also might have been colonized by the Dutch, because the British were protecting the Botswana from the Boers.

Works Cited

Flag and map courtesy of Microsoft Clipart Gallery.

     Infoplease. http://www.infoplease.com/

    Jason Lauré. Enchantment of the World- Botswana