Cape Town History brings to light the crucial stages in the development of the region.
Ancient History of Cape Town
Present day Cape Town, or what was earlier known as Western Cape and the Cape Peninsula, was inhabited since the earliest times, even before the beginning of the Christian era. The communities were primarily engaged in activities like fishing, hunting and the accumulation of roots and plants suitable for consumption. The ancient population comprised of a couple of tribes, namely the Hottentot and the Bushmen. While the Hottentot were herdsman, the Bushmen thrived on gathering and hunting. Prior to the arrival of the Dutch, the Hottentot had trade relations with the Bantus. After the influx of the Europeans, they acted as middlemen and helped in the flourish of trade of the European settlers.
Beginning of the Colonial Era in Cape Town
The Portuguese
The Portuguese were the first European community to set foot in Cape Town. After the area was discovered, the European sailors often sailed towards the region of the Table Mountains. The Portuguese explorers happened to discover the Cape by accident. The ships of Dias were caught in the midst of a violent storm. Change of direction led them to navigate towards the Gouritz River and they landed on the eastern coast of Africa. The Table Bay was first touched upon by Antonio de Saldanha. It was he who gave the Table Mountain its name.
The Dutch
Jan Van Riebeeck was sent to Cape Town by the Dutch East India Company in 1652 with three ships, namely the Goede Hoop, the Dromedaris and the Reijger. He
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constructed a fort which stood at the location of the present premises of Castle of Good Hope and was the first ever building to be constructed in Cape Town.
The British
The Dutch successfully maintained their control over the Cape until the British who wanted to establish their domination over this territory threatened it. The ensuing war between Holland and Britain that was fought over a period of three years from 1780-83 witnessed the defeat of the latter. However, the British did acquire the Cape in 1795 by defeating the Dutch at the Battle of Muizenberg. The British gained formal possession of the Cape Colony in 1814.
The Constitution of Cape Colony was formed in 1853. Sir Henry Barkley declared Cape Colony's autonomy in 1872. The region attained new heights of prosperity with the exploitation of gold and diamond mines which helped tremendously in the economic prosperity of the region. It underwent a sea change and emerged as a port of immense significance.
During the First and the Second World War, South Africa acted as an ally of Britain. The native population, however, did not support the British. South Africa escalated to the position of one of the top industrial nations of the world. The coming of the National Party to power in 1948 led by D.F. Malan marked the beginning of the practice of Apartheid in Cape Town. It took years of protest and struggle by Nelson Mandela to end this discriminatory practice which somewhat diminished the erstwhile economic prosperity and glory of the country.
The history of Cape Town provides a glimpse into the country's recent and remote past and records information since its discovery to the present times.
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