Cecil Rhodes

Cecil John Rhodes (July 5, 1853 – March 26, 1902) was an English businessman and the effective founder of the state of Rhodesia (which was named after him). Rhodesia (later Northern and Southern Rhodesia) eventually became Zambia and Zimbabwe. Rhodes profited greatly from Southern Africa's natural resources, proceeds of which founded the Rhodes Scholarship upon his death.

Vision and views

Rhodes' vision for Africa was "to paint the map (British) red". To achieve this goal, he was instrumental in the development of a Cape-Cairo railway route. In his 1877 "Confession of Faith", Rhodes stated, "I contend that we (the British) are the finest race in the world and that the more of the world we inhabit the better it is for the human race". Though his prejudice against the African people probably did not motivate his conquests, it was certainly an excuse for his seizure of African resources and subjugation of its people.

Related Topics:
Cape-Cairo railway - 1877 - Prejudice

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