Sir Harry Smith - 4
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Sir Harry Smith - 4
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 14296606
© Mary Evans Picture Library
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 arrogance, insensitivity, and ultimately, tragedy. Born in Scotland in 1787, Smith rose through the ranks of the British military to become a major general by the age of 48. In 1847, he was appointed Governor of the Cape Colony, a position that placed him in charge of relations with the indigenous Xhosa people. Smith's policies towards the Xhosa were controversial from the outset. He believed that the only way to maintain British control was through a show of force, and he implemented a series of harsh measures designed to assert dominance. These included confiscating Xhosa land, imposing heavy taxes, and disrupting traditional religious practices. Despite his military background, Smith proved to be an ineffective administrator. His insensitivity to Xhosa culture and his arrogant attitude towards their leaders led to a series of misunderstandings and mistrust. In 1856, a drought struck the region, and Smith's refusal to provide relief to the Xhosa people exacerbated tensions. When a group of Xhosa warriors attacked a British outpost in retaliation for Smith's policies, the situation spiraled out of control. A full-blown war broke out, resulting in the deaths of thousands of Xhosa people and the displacement of many more. Smith's policies towards the Xhosa are now widely regarded as a catastrophe. His arrogance, insensitivity, and incompetence led to a tragic and avoidable conflict that caused untold suffering for the indigenous people of the region. This portrait serves as a poignant reminder of the complex and often fraught relationship between European colonizers and the indigenous populations they sought to control.
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