The Aftermath Of The Anglo Zulu War

Examines the causes, events, and consequences of the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 in Africa.

The Anglo-Zulu War was fought in 1879 between the British Empire and the Zulu Kingdom. Following Lord Carnarvon's successful introduction of federation in Canada, it was thought that similar political effort, coupled with military campaigns, might succeed with the African kingdoms, tribal areas and Boer republics in South Africa. In 1874, Sir Henry Bartle Frere was sent to South Africa as High Commissioner for the British Empire to bring such plans into being. Among the obstacles were the presence of the independent states of the South African Republic and the Kingdom of Zululand and its army. Frere, on his own initiative, without the approval of the British government and with the intent of instigating a war with the Zulu, had presented an ultimatum on 11 December 1878, to the Zulu king Cetshwayo with which the Zulu king could not comply. Bartle Frere then sent Lord Chelmsford to invade Zululand after this ultimatum was not met. The war is notable for several particularly bloody battles, including a stunning opening victory by the Zulu at the Battle of Isandlwana, as well as for being a landmark in the timeline of imperialism in the region. The war eventually resulted in a British victory and the end of the Zulu nation's independence.

In 1879 news of the Zulu victory at Isandlwana reverberated around the world. A century later, modern scholars are still reassessing the causes of the Anglo-Zulu War and its impact upon Zulu society, southern Africa and the British Empire. The new perspectives collected in this book represent a variety of historical interpretations. They will be welcomed by all who have an interest in Natal and Zulu history as well as by those who are curious about recent trends in historical debate.

A new and complete history of Zululand, and its destruction at the hands of the British in 1879. This book is not only a complete history of the Zulus but also an account of the way the British won absolute rule in South Africa. In the early decades of the nineteenth century, Shaka Zulu established a nation in south-east Africa which was to become the most politically sophisticated and militarily powerful black nation in the entire area. Although the Zulus never had any quarrel with their British neighbours, the rulers of the Cape Colony could not conceive of them as anything but a threat. In 1879, under dubious pretences, the British finally crossed the Buffalo River, and embarked on a bloody war that was to rock the very foundations of the British Empire. The story is studded with tales of incredible heroism, drama and atrocity on both sides: the Battle of Isandlwana, where the Zulus inflicted on the British the worst defeat a modern army has ever suffered at the hands of men without guns; Rorke's Drift, where a handful of British troops beat off thousands of Zulu warriors and won a record 11 VCs; and Ulundi, where the Zulus were finally crushed in a battle that was to herald some of the most shameful episodes in British Colonial history. Comprehensive, vast in scope, and filled with original and up-to-date research, this is a book that is set to replace all standard works on the subject.

The vast majority of books on the Zulus concentrate on their stunning victory at Isandlwana over the invading British Army and the tragedy of their subsequent defeat during the Anglo-Zulu Wars.??By tracing the long and turbulent history of the Zulus from their arrival in South Africa, where they were not indigenous as were the Koi and San population, and the establishment of Zululand, The Tribe that Washed its Spears is an important and readable addition to this popular subject area. It describes the violent rise of King Shaka and his colourful successors under whose leadership the warrior nation built a fearsome fighting reputation without equal among the native tribes of South Africa. It also examines the tactics and weapons employed during the numerous inter-tribal battles over this period. They then became victims of their own success in that their defeat of the Boers in 1877 and 1878 in the Sekunini War prompted the well-documented British intervention.??Initially the might of the British empire was humbled as never before by the shock Zulu victory at Isandlwana but the 1879 war ended with the brutal crushing of the Zulu Nation. But, as Dr Greaves reveals, this was by no means the end of the story. The little known consequences of the division of Zululand, the Boer War and the 1906 Zulu Rebellion are analysed in fascinating detail.??An added attraction for readers is that this long awaited history is written not just by a much published leading authority but, thanks to the co-author’s contribution, from the Zulu perspective using much completely fresh material.??As reviewed in the 'Ashford Herald', 'Folkestone Herald' and 'Hythe Herald'

A concise history of the Battle of Isandlwana, the first encounter of the Anglo-Zulu War in 1879. In 1878, H.M. High Commissioner for Southern Africa and the Lieut. General Commanding H.M. Forces, clandestinely conspired to invade the Zulu Kingdom. Drastically underestimating their foe, the invaders had been vanquished within days of entering the Zulu Kingdom, in one of the greatest disasters ever to befall a British army. The author not only dramatically describes the events leading up to the Battle of Isandlwana, and the battle itself but, with new evidence, disputes many aspects of the campaign long held sacrosanct. Praise for The Anglo Zulu War: Isandlwana “It offers a controversial but compelling account of the battle that underlines the consequences of operational arrogance and underestimating the fighting abilities of a less technologically equipped enemy – something that should resonate with all those who serve.” —Soldier “This is a book that should be on the bookshelves of everyone who is interested in the history of South Africa.” —The South African Military Society