Xhosa cattle killing movement definition ap world history – The Xhosa Cattle Killing Movement, an extraordinary chapter in African history, ignited a profound transformation among the Xhosa people. This movement, steeped in cultural beliefs, economic grievances, and colonial oppression, left an enduring legacy on Xhosa society and the wider region.

Driven by spiritual prophecies and the loss of their ancestral lands and cattle, the Xhosa people embarked on a daring act of resistance. The consequences were far-reaching, shaping the course of African history and challenging the colonial powers.

Definition and Historical Context

The Xhosa Cattle Killing Movement, also known as the Great Cattle Killing, was a significant event in the history of South Africa. It refers to a period from 1856 to 1858 when the Xhosa people, an ethnic group in the Eastern Cape, slaughtered their cattle in a ritual act of protest and defiance against British colonial rule.

The movement emerged during a time of escalating tensions between the Xhosa and the British colonial government. The British had annexed the Xhosa territory and imposed policies that restricted the Xhosa’s traditional way of life and land ownership. These policies included the establishment of military forts, the forced removal of the Xhosa from their land, and the imposition of a hut tax.

Causes and Motivations

The Xhosa Cattle Killing Movement was triggered by a combination of economic, cultural, and spiritual factors. The economic factors included the loss of cattle to European settlers and the imposition of a hut tax, which placed a heavy financial burden on the Xhosa people.

Cultural factors also played a significant role. The Xhosa people believed that cattle were central to their way of life and represented their wealth, status, and identity. The loss of their cattle was seen as a threat to their cultural and social fabric.

Spiritual beliefs and prophecies also influenced the movement. Some Xhosa prophets predicted that a great catastrophe would befall the Xhosa people, and that the killing of their cattle would appease the ancestors and bring about a renewal of their society.

Key Events and Timeline

The Xhosa Cattle Killing Movement unfolded over a period of several months.

• February 1856:Cattle killing begins in the Amathole Mountains.
• March 1856:The British colonial government sends troops to suppress the movement.
• April 1856:The Xhosa leaders are captured and executed.
• June 1856:The British declare martial law in the Eastern Cape.
• September 1856:The Xhosa people begin to surrender their cattle to the British.
• February 1858:The movement ends with the death of the Xhosa prophet Nongqawuse.

Impact and Consequences

The Xhosa Cattle Killing Movement had a profound impact on Xhosa society and the British colonial government.

The Xhosa people lost over 400,000 cattle, which devastated their economy and way of life. The movement also led to the deaths of thousands of Xhosa people, both from starvation and from conflict with the British.

The British colonial government was also affected by the movement. The suppression of the movement cost the British government a significant amount of money and resources. The movement also damaged the British government’s reputation among the Xhosa people and other African groups.

Historiography and Interpretation

The Xhosa Cattle Killing Movement has been interpreted by historians in a variety of ways.

• Traditionalist interpretation:This interpretation emphasizes the role of spiritual beliefs and prophecies in the movement.
• Marxist interpretation:This interpretation sees the movement as a form of class struggle against British colonialism.
• Postcolonial interpretation:This interpretation examines the movement in the context of the broader history of colonialism and imperialism.

Relevance and Legacy: Xhosa Cattle Killing Movement Definition Ap World History

The Xhosa Cattle Killing Movement remains a significant event in South African history. It is studied by historians as an example of African resistance to colonialism and as a case study of the complex interplay between economic, cultural, and spiritual factors.

The movement continues to be commemorated by the Xhosa people and other South Africans. It is seen as a symbol of the Xhosa people’s resilience and their struggle for self-determination.

Expert Answers

What were the primary causes of the Xhosa Cattle Killing Movement?

Economic grievances, land dispossession, loss of cattle, and spiritual beliefs.

What was the British response to the movement?

Military suppression, confiscation of cattle, and the establishment of concentration camps.

What were the long-term consequences of the movement?

Weakening of Xhosa society, increased colonial control, and the erosion of traditional Xhosa culture.