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Sir Harry Smith - 3
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Sir Harry Smith - 3
Sir Harry Smith (1787 - 1860) - soldier and administrator whose arrogant and insensitive policies, coupled with his incompetence, led to catastrophe for the Xhosa (Kaffirs)in South Africa
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Media ID 14296594
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1787 1860 Administrator Arrogant Catastrophe Coupled Harry Incompetence Kaffirs Policies Xhosa Insensitive Smith
EDITORS COMMENTS
Sir Harry Smith (1787-1860): A Controversial Figure in South African History This evocative portrait captures the enigmatic figure of Sir Harry Smith, a British soldier and administrator whose tenure in South Africa was marked by controversy and tragedy. Born in 1787, Smith rose through the ranks of the British Army, earning a reputation as a capable and determined military leader. However, his appointment as Governor of the Cape Colony in 1847 would prove to be his most significant and ultimately, his most regrettable. Smith's policies towards the indigenous Xhosa people, whom the Europeans referred to as Kaffirs, were arrogant and insensitive. He believed that the Xhosa were inferior and that their lands should be taken to expand European settlement. Smith's incompetence in implementing these policies led to a series of disastrous consequences. In 1856, Smith ordered the confiscation of the Xhosa cattle, a vital source of food and wealth for the community. The Xhosa, who saw this as a direct threat to their way of life, responded with resistance. Smith's heavy-handed response to the uprising resulted in a brutal conflict that lasted for several years and led to the deaths of thousands of Xhosa people. The consequences of Smith's actions were far-reaching and devastating. The Xhosa people suffered from famine, disease, and displacement, and their trust in the British was shattered. Smith's policies were widely criticized by his contemporaries, and his legacy in South African history remains a contentious issue. This photograph, taken in the mid-19th century, captures the image of a man who was both a soldier and an administrator, but whose arrogance, insensitivity, and incompetence led to catastrophe for the indigenous people of South Africa. The Xhosa people's story is a reminder of the complex and often painful history of colonialism and its impact on indigenous communities around the world.
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