History of Zambia Colonial Period

British South Africa Company

What is British South Africa Company(BSAC) ?

The British South Africa Company (BSAC) was a mercantile company incorporated on 29 October 1889 by a royal charter given by Lord Salisbury, the British prime minister, to Cecil Rhodes. The company was modeled on the East India Company and was expected to annex and then administer territory in south-central Africa, to act as a police force, and develop settlements for European settlers. [1]

How does BSAC enter Rhodesia(Zambia's predecessor）?

Control Rhodesia 

After BSAC enter to the Rhodesia, BSAC deceived the Lozi chief Lewanika to signing a concession that gave the British South Africa Company an excuse to invade their land. Upon obtaining this concession the British South Africa Company began mining copper and lead. In addition they sold land to British farmers, sometimes for as little as 10 cents a hectare in order to encourage more European settlers. 

British colonization

In 1923, Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), a conquered territory which was also administered by the BSA Company, became a self-governing British colony. In 1924, after negotiations, administration of Northern Rhodesia transferred to the British Colonial Office.

Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland

Under the colonial government, the national economic life has been suppressed for a long time,due to growing discontent over the colonial system of government, nationalist movements began to emerge. The Northern Rhodesian African Congress (NRAC) demanded an end to racial discrimination and more rights for educated Africans. This party was formed by mostly mission educated middle class who did not concern themselves with the plight of the farmers or miners. Thereafter, in 1951 white settlers proposed the formation of a federation of Northern and Southern Rhodesia and Nyasaland. After this, the NRAC changed its name to the African National Congress (ANC) and elected Harry Nkumbula as its leader. All nationalists in the three countries opposed the plan of federation because they viewed it as another way for white settlers to. [2]

Independence

in its last years at the core of the controversy were insistent African demands for greater participation in. Government and European fears of losing political control. a two-stage election held in October and December 1962 resulted in an African majority in the Legislative Council and an uneasy coalition between the two African nationalist parties. The Council passed resolutions calling for Northern Rhodesia's secession from the Federation and demanding full internal self-government under a new constitution and a new national Assembly based on a broader more democratic franchise.

31st of December in 1963 the Federation was dissolved and Northern Rhodesia became the Republic of Zambia on 24th October 1964

Reference:

1.Boddy-Evans, Alistair. (2018, June 13). British South Africa Company (BSAC). 

Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/british-south-africa-company-bsac-43853

2.Global Black History, Editor.(2015, October 8). Colonialism, Nationalism & Independence in Zambia. 

Retrieved from https://www.globalblackhistory.com/2015/10/colonialism-nationalism-independence-in-zambia.html