by

JUSTIN J.

NATIONAL FLAG OF BOTSWANA

LOCATION:

A BRIEF HISTORY OF BOTSWANA

            The British colonized Botswana 1885. The British taxed the people in Botswana very heavily. One of the taxes that the British had was the Hut Tax. The taxes hurt the poor people really badly. They also had to raise their own food.

            I think colonization really hurt the people who lived in Botswana. The people that lived there needed jobs because of the British taxes. The jobs did not pay a minimum wage.  The cattle got a disease called rinderpest.

             On September 30, 1966, Botswana became independent.  Britain granted them a constitution in 1961, and in 1965 the country began to self-govern.  Botswana is the oldest democracy in Africa.

              After Botswana became independent there were many people living in poverty.  Refugees and activists began coming into Botswana from South Africa.  Some problems they are having today are high unemployment, and the second highest HIV and AIDS infection rates in the world.

             If Botswana had not been colonized they probably wouldn't be as civilized or modern.  Also, the people might not have learned about Christianity.    

Works Cited

Lauré, Jason. Enchantment of the World Botswana

Info Please http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107353.html

BBC News http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/country_profiles/1068674.stm

Flag and map courtesy of Microsoft Clipart Gallery.