I don't know about that statement. Just because he's an Afrikaner doesn't mean he believes blacks are sub-human. Do you have any proof to back that statement up?
A Rhodesian Dream...
- Thread starter Nicksplace27
- Start date
I don't know about that statement. Just because he's an Afrikaner doesn't mean he believes blacks are sub-human. Do you have any proof to back that statement up?
In Rhodes's biography and everything else I've read on South Africa, Kruger was a very, very conservative, very religious politician. He, as well as 90% of the Boers in 1897 believed that they were racially superior due to religious rules.
Of course, Kruger uses this to his advantage politically. A scapegoat is quite useful to pawn off problems.
#12: The Meetings
London, United Kingdom
1897
Cecil Rhodes frowned as he looked around the large table with many delegates. Many from Canada, led by the Québécois Wilfred Laurie, seemed positively apathetic and unwilling to cooperate. They disagreed on border regulations with the territory of Alaska, were unwilling to bring their army regiments within the Royal Army, and completely disagreed on Immigration reform. They were the Empire’s poster child and they were sure acting the part.
The Australian delegation couldn’t even agree how to unite and become a full confederation like Canada was, let alone how they fit into the scheme of things within the empire. Still, Rhodes liked Australia because it was formed by gold rushes much like South Africa and its deserts were very familiar as well. Still, they had to get their act together so to speak.
His own delegation was quite the sight. Several Africans including John Dube and Solomon Spaaje, who were excited to be finally allowed to make important decisions in this meeting. Mohandas Gandhi was somewhat bitter looking at the Indian delegation, which was headed by the incredibly pompous and conservative George Nathaniel Curzon and his entirely white delegation. But otherwise, the South African delegation seemed to be the star of the conference. This of course had to do with the recent declaration of war that had been the talk of city as well as the empire. The eyes of the world were on Rhodes, and intended on using the attention to his advantage.
“Delegates, does anyone besides the South African delegation, know the details of the oppression going on in the Transvaal?” Joseph Chamberlain, the Colonial Secretary of the United Kingdom, asked. He was seated at the relative center of the table and was supposed to be the moderator in this meeting. Chamberlain and Rhodes went pretty far back and Chamberlain let him have an open hand in conquering Matabeleland and the rest of his northern territories [1]. Chamberlain, just like the British Empire itself had a vested interest in the situation in South Africa. “The representative from Cape Town will tell you himself, Mr. John Dube.”
“My people, the native Africans, of whom many are taken under the wing of the British Empire, are being killed and lynched by the Boers. They are being treated like animals, even less than that. Just because they want to work and live their lives in freedom, they are being persecuted and killed. Now everyone’s lives are at stake at the Boer’s hand in South Africa. My people need your help and I hope you can do everything in your power to help them.” Dube said after standing up. He looked quite stoic and courageous as he spoke those words. He then gestured to Rhodes. “Would Mr. Rhodes like to add anything?”
“Well, since the Crown has already pledged support, I cannot ask anything more of the Dominions. I would implore my fellow delegate to allow any African refugees from the conflict who wish to leave South Africa to be allowed into your Dominions. They need your help.” Rhodes stated, catering to Dube and Spaaje’s request.
“I concur with Mr. Rhodes’s statements wholeheartedly.” Gandhi stood and spoke. “I myself was an immigrant here back and now I am truly further than I was back in India. I only wish that everyone within the Empire can be as successful as I am. The only way that can be achieved is by opening up your borders for African refugees.” He looked around at the delegates.
Wilfred Laurier was the fist to speak up. “Capital! I will put this motion forward for my parliament to ratify. I am very much for immigration to Canada [2] and the more, the merrier!”
“Rubbish! Pure rubbish.” Lord Curzon spoke up. “Rhodes, you remember the slaughter at Masvingo! If we unleash these savages among the civil dominions of the north, who knows what will happen. The only way that can work is resettlement within South Africa.”
“Lord Curzon, if I may interject.” Rhodes spoke. “If we resettle all of the Africans, we would have no arable land at all to work on. Poverty in these resettlement areas would be rampant and those effects would be far more terrible than our current situation.” He sighed. “I am truly sorry you feel that way about all Africans. I have worked for the past 5 years against stereotypes that you have now espoused. The two men I have brought with me is supposed to show you and everyone else with your mindset that just because someone may possess a different skin color than your own, they do not have a propensity to throw spears or become savages. I hope you can change your mind as you are now leading a land full of 350 million people of a different skin color than yourself.”
Curzon stood, shocked at what Rhodes had just said. He had just accepted the job as the Viceroy of India and to be cut down by someone of the likes of Rhodes was shocking.
“Excuse me. I must leave.” He stammered as he got up and left. His delegation from India left as well. Mohandas beamed at Rhodes. That would be something for Lord Curzon to think about.
Chamberlain sighed. “We will reconvene in several hours. Good Day and I need a drink. Would you care to join Cecil?” He gestured as everyone got up.
“I will in a minute, Joseph. You go on ahead, I’ll catch up.” Rhodes said as Chamberlain shrugged and took off. Rhodes, now no longer distracted, went up to another man leaving the table. “I don’t believe we have had the chance to meet, Cecil Rhodes; Prime Minister of Cape Colony.” He said sticking out his hand. The man returned to handshake.
“George Tuabman Goldie, Leader of the Royal Niger Company. Pleased to meet you Mr. Rhodes.” The man introduced himself.
“Likewise, Mr. Goldie. I would like to speak with you about the future of Africa for a few moments.” Rhodes delved into his proposition. “I would be willing to donate a large sum of funds to the Company so you could expand preferably to the Sudan.”
“But Mr. Rhodes, we signed a treaty with the French already on the northern border.” Goldie protested, but Rhodes continued.
“I’ve dealt with no less than four different colonial powers and countless other native tribes. Trust me, I know your plight. I also know that if you are rough with the French, they will back down and give you more room to grow.” Rhodes said reassuringly. “I will speak to you later on this matter, but for now, I must go. See you next meeting, Mr. Goldie.”
“And you as well, Mr. Rhodes.” Goldie responded as he packed up his papers. Rhodes walked out of the meeting room in Westminster palace and onto the Colonial Secretary’s residence.
------------
[1]- As in OTL. As a side note, Rhodes isn’t as arrogant as OTL because of the accident and therefore doesn’t name his northern lands after himself. Therefore, they are called by their tribal names.
[2]- In OTL, Laurier led Canada to its longest and strongest period of immigration in its history. In the course of his tenure as Prime Minister, he led 400,000 immigrants to Canada. This will no doubt increase with African refugees coming as well.
Also in OTL, Rhodes never attended this meeting. He was stuck in South Africa moping over his failed Jameson Raid.
London, United Kingdom
1897
Cecil Rhodes frowned as he looked around the large table with many delegates. Many from Canada, led by the Québécois Wilfred Laurie, seemed positively apathetic and unwilling to cooperate. They disagreed on border regulations with the territory of Alaska, were unwilling to bring their army regiments within the Royal Army, and completely disagreed on Immigration reform. They were the Empire’s poster child and they were sure acting the part.
The Australian delegation couldn’t even agree how to unite and become a full confederation like Canada was, let alone how they fit into the scheme of things within the empire. Still, Rhodes liked Australia because it was formed by gold rushes much like South Africa and its deserts were very familiar as well. Still, they had to get their act together so to speak.
His own delegation was quite the sight. Several Africans including John Dube and Solomon Spaaje, who were excited to be finally allowed to make important decisions in this meeting. Mohandas Gandhi was somewhat bitter looking at the Indian delegation, which was headed by the incredibly pompous and conservative George Nathaniel Curzon and his entirely white delegation. But otherwise, the South African delegation seemed to be the star of the conference. This of course had to do with the recent declaration of war that had been the talk of city as well as the empire. The eyes of the world were on Rhodes, and intended on using the attention to his advantage.
“Delegates, does anyone besides the South African delegation, know the details of the oppression going on in the Transvaal?” Joseph Chamberlain, the Colonial Secretary of the United Kingdom, asked. He was seated at the relative center of the table and was supposed to be the moderator in this meeting. Chamberlain and Rhodes went pretty far back and Chamberlain let him have an open hand in conquering Matabeleland and the rest of his northern territories [1]. Chamberlain, just like the British Empire itself had a vested interest in the situation in South Africa. “The representative from Cape Town will tell you himself, Mr. John Dube.”
“My people, the native Africans, of whom many are taken under the wing of the British Empire, are being killed and lynched by the Boers. They are being treated like animals, even less than that. Just because they want to work and live their lives in freedom, they are being persecuted and killed. Now everyone’s lives are at stake at the Boer’s hand in South Africa. My people need your help and I hope you can do everything in your power to help them.” Dube said after standing up. He looked quite stoic and courageous as he spoke those words. He then gestured to Rhodes. “Would Mr. Rhodes like to add anything?”
“Well, since the Crown has already pledged support, I cannot ask anything more of the Dominions. I would implore my fellow delegate to allow any African refugees from the conflict who wish to leave South Africa to be allowed into your Dominions. They need your help.” Rhodes stated, catering to Dube and Spaaje’s request.
“I concur with Mr. Rhodes’s statements wholeheartedly.” Gandhi stood and spoke. “I myself was an immigrant here back and now I am truly further than I was back in India. I only wish that everyone within the Empire can be as successful as I am. The only way that can be achieved is by opening up your borders for African refugees.” He looked around at the delegates.
Wilfred Laurier was the fist to speak up. “Capital! I will put this motion forward for my parliament to ratify. I am very much for immigration to Canada [2] and the more, the merrier!”
“Rubbish! Pure rubbish.” Lord Curzon spoke up. “Rhodes, you remember the slaughter at Masvingo! If we unleash these savages among the civil dominions of the north, who knows what will happen. The only way that can work is resettlement within South Africa.”
“Lord Curzon, if I may interject.” Rhodes spoke. “If we resettle all of the Africans, we would have no arable land at all to work on. Poverty in these resettlement areas would be rampant and those effects would be far more terrible than our current situation.” He sighed. “I am truly sorry you feel that way about all Africans. I have worked for the past 5 years against stereotypes that you have now espoused. The two men I have brought with me is supposed to show you and everyone else with your mindset that just because someone may possess a different skin color than your own, they do not have a propensity to throw spears or become savages. I hope you can change your mind as you are now leading a land full of 350 million people of a different skin color than yourself.”
Curzon stood, shocked at what Rhodes had just said. He had just accepted the job as the Viceroy of India and to be cut down by someone of the likes of Rhodes was shocking.
“Excuse me. I must leave.” He stammered as he got up and left. His delegation from India left as well. Mohandas beamed at Rhodes. That would be something for Lord Curzon to think about.
Chamberlain sighed. “We will reconvene in several hours. Good Day and I need a drink. Would you care to join Cecil?” He gestured as everyone got up.
“I will in a minute, Joseph. You go on ahead, I’ll catch up.” Rhodes said as Chamberlain shrugged and took off. Rhodes, now no longer distracted, went up to another man leaving the table. “I don’t believe we have had the chance to meet, Cecil Rhodes; Prime Minister of Cape Colony.” He said sticking out his hand. The man returned to handshake.
“George Tuabman Goldie, Leader of the Royal Niger Company. Pleased to meet you Mr. Rhodes.” The man introduced himself.
“Likewise, Mr. Goldie. I would like to speak with you about the future of Africa for a few moments.” Rhodes delved into his proposition. “I would be willing to donate a large sum of funds to the Company so you could expand preferably to the Sudan.”
“But Mr. Rhodes, we signed a treaty with the French already on the northern border.” Goldie protested, but Rhodes continued.
“I’ve dealt with no less than four different colonial powers and countless other native tribes. Trust me, I know your plight. I also know that if you are rough with the French, they will back down and give you more room to grow.” Rhodes said reassuringly. “I will speak to you later on this matter, but for now, I must go. See you next meeting, Mr. Goldie.”
“And you as well, Mr. Rhodes.” Goldie responded as he packed up his papers. Rhodes walked out of the meeting room in Westminster palace and onto the Colonial Secretary’s residence.
------------
[1]- As in OTL. As a side note, Rhodes isn’t as arrogant as OTL because of the accident and therefore doesn’t name his northern lands after himself. Therefore, they are called by their tribal names.
[2]- In OTL, Laurier led Canada to its longest and strongest period of immigration in its history. In the course of his tenure as Prime Minister, he led 400,000 immigrants to Canada. This will no doubt increase with African refugees coming as well.
Also in OTL, Rhodes never attended this meeting. He was stuck in South Africa moping over his failed Jameson Raid.
Any comments? Questions?
For good measure, here are some pictures of them main caracters, so you have a better visualization of them.
Lord Curzon
Mohandas Gandhi
John Dube
Joseph Chamberlain
For good measure, here are some pictures of them main caracters, so you have a better visualization of them.
Lord Curzon
Mohandas Gandhi
John Dube
Joseph Chamberlain
Last edited:
I still don't know if you can make a sweeping statement like that he believed all blacks were sub-human. Just because he was an Afrikaner doesn't mean he was uber-racist. He was probably no more racist than any of his European contemparies.
Its to expand a political gain against a british government that openly supports blacks. Therefore, he is depicted as more of a racist becuse his policies swing that way.