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abroad and developing markets. In
general, the British did not see their
rule as permanent, having
established schools and colleges in
their colonies long before they
considered doing the same in
Britain. This resulted in colonial
cities having educated elites, who
soon began challenging for power.
Although they were interested
in the Suez Canal, and the gold and
diamonds in South Africa, the rest of
Africa was not a British priority.
Nervous about the control of Suez,
which was vital in their trade with
India and the East, they took control
of Egypt in 1882. The Union of South
Africa emerged in 1910, and Cecil
Rhodes dreamt of ruling from the
Colonialism
64
LEFT:
Illustration of a convoy of ships
sailing through Suez Canal. Published
in L'Illustration, Journal Universel,
Paris,1868.
BELOW:
Shipping passing through
modern the modern-day Suez Canal.
OPPOSITE:
Cecil John Rhodes was a
British businessman, mining magnate,
and politician in South Africa, who
served as prime minister of the
Cape Colony from 1890 to 1896. An
ardent believer in British imperialism,
Rhodes and his British South Africa
Company founded the southern African
territory of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe
and Zambia).
OPPOSITE BELOW:
Cullinan Diamond
Mine in South Africa is famous for The
Cullinan Diamond, mined in 1905. It is
the largest, rough, gem-quality diamond
ever found, at 3106.75 carats
(621.350g).