Botswana Research Paper

Botswana Botswana, a country in Southern Africa, is home to amazing geological features and fascinating cultures. From the peoples’ survival before the British arrived, to their independence, and then to how the country operates today, Botswana is filled with interesting stories and fantastic history. Pre-European Era, there isn’t much to look at, but when the Europeans took over, Botswana became stronger until it was able to achieve independence, and even when it was faced with obstacles and hardships, the nation pulled through and became the peaceful country we know today. Back before the British invaded, one tribe roamed present-day Botswana, dominating the Kalahari Desert, hunting and gathering. The San, as they were usually known, happened …show more content…
Not only did European miners invade in search for valuable resources that were abundant in this country, still others arrived hungry for land (Briggs 908). The British arrived to spread religion, though, and ended up gaining a lot of newly converted Christian followers. As the eight Tswana tribes’ lands became the interest of other tribes, like the Zulu and Boers, the defending tribes found they were in a tough situation. When the Zulu attacked by themselves, Ngwato, the biggest of the eight tribes, held them off relatively okay. However, as the Boers moved closer and closer to Botswana, they proposed the idea of taking the area that gold was in. Tswana needed help from Britain to keep themselves from not falling to the two opposing tribes, and Great Britain was happy to supply. After claiming the region as their own, calling it the Protectorate of Bechuanaland, the Boers had to leave and the Zulu couldn’t win their battles. The Tswana were safe for the moment …show more content…
After South Africa organized itself in 1910 and created the Union of South Africa, it wanted to take the protectorate for its own. Britain also wanted to give the Protectorate of Bechuanaland to the Union, but they knew they had to ask the people who inhabited the territory. Unfortunately, the chiefs of the eight tribal groups didn’t want to be part of South Africa and refused the multiple propositions that the Union would continue to give. After awhile, in 1948, Great Britain decided against the idea as well and Tswana remained with the British, monitored by a British commissioner (Botswana) “In 1920, two councils were set up, one to represent tribal interests and the other for European interests.” (Briggs 907). This enabled Botswana to live peacefully with Great Britain for quite some

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