19th-century-engraving-of-a-scene-in-africa-with-people-with-guns-EFM2HK

19th-century-engraving-of-a-scene-in-africa-with-people-with-guns-EFM2HK

This image depicts some of the events that took place during the "Gun War" that occurred during 1880-81. This was the war whereby the the Sotho also known as the Basotho people of the Basutoland threw off the rule of the Cape Colony. This war ended in victory of the Basotho nation. This war represents an example of an African nation's military victory against a colonial power whereby the Basotho were able to retain their guns.I The Basotho obtained horses and guns of their own and began stockpiling on gunpowder .They had accumulated more guns than any chieftain in the Southern Africa, however the guns were outdated flintlocks which had flooded the market after the introduction of percussion lock muskets.The ensuing military stalemate and the high cost of conducting the war in made it increasingly unpopular among Cape politicians. On 29 April 1881, High Commissioner for Southern Africa, Sir Hercules Robinson announced the peaceful settlement of the conflict.

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Maribatze Oreneile History 2A

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