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Cecil Rhodes: The Man Behind the Statues

Braden Ward

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Cecil Rhodes was a British imperialist who played a major role in the colonisation of Africa. He was a controversial figure, and his legacy is still debated today.

Cecil Rhodes: The Man Behind the Statues

by Kevin Shillington

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Rhodes was born in 1853 in Bishop's Stortford, England. He was the son of a clergyman, and he received a privileged education. In 1870, he left England to seek his fortune in the diamond fields of South Africa. He was successful in his ventures, and he soon became a wealthy man.

In 1889, Rhodes founded the British South Africa Company. The company's goal was to expand British influence in Africa. Rhodes led the company's forces in the conquest of Matabeleland and Mashonaland, which are now part of Zimbabwe. He also played a major role in the Boer War, which was fought between the British and the Boers, who were descendants of Dutch settlers in South Africa.

Rhodes was a firm believer in British imperialism. He believed that it was the duty of the British to spread their civilisation to other parts of the world. He also believed that the British had a right to exploit the resources of Africa for their own benefit.

Rhodes's imperialism was often ruthless and exploitative. He was responsible for the deaths of many Africans, and he dispossessed many others of their land. He also used his wealth to bribe and manipulate politicians in Free Download to achieve his goals.

Despite his controversial legacy, Rhodes remains a significant figure in British history. He was a man of great ambition and energy, and he played a major role in shaping the course of British imperialism in Africa. His life is a cautionary tale about the dangers of imperialism and the importance of human rights.

Legacy

Rhodes's legacy is complex and controversial. He was a man of great ambition and energy, and he played a major role in shaping the course of British imperialism in Africa. However, his imperialism was often ruthless and exploitative, and he was responsible for the deaths of many Africans.

Today, Rhodes's legacy is still debated. Some people believe that he was a great man who helped to build the British Empire. Others believe that he was a ruthless imperialist who exploited Africa for his own benefit.

There is no doubt that Rhodes was a complex and controversial figure. His legacy will continue to be debated for many years to come.