During the late 19th and early 20th centuries South Africa was plagued by war. Conflicts arose between Dutch settlers, known as Boers, and the English, attempting to carry out Kipling's "white man's burden", sparking two wars, known as the Anglo-Boer Wars. The greatest conflict was caused by the British presence and pursuit of imperialism and the Boers' struggle for independence. The Dutch were the first to settle in South Africa, landing in the Cape in 1652. The goal of the settlement was to create an anchorage for the ships of the Dutch East India Company, a place to replenish the ships with supplies. The settlement flourished and the population grew rapidly, creating a large agricultural community. The colonists pushed eastward trying to obtain more land, this brought them into contact with the natives, who they in turn conquered and destroyed. The acquisition of new land created the need for cheap labor, and slaves were imported from other Dutch colonies in the East. Partly because of its dividend policy, the company began spending much more than it took in. As a result, the Dutch East India Company went bankrupt in 1794. This allowed the English, with their vision of global imperialism, to enter the market. scene.The English arrived in South Africa a year after the bankruptcy of the Dutch East India Company (1795). Initially, they had little to no control over its inhabitants due to the protection offered by the French with whom Britain was at war. Twenty years later, once the conflict was over, the English officially controlled the Cape: this was finalized in 1815. The English made many changes to the colony, many of which infuriated the Boers. The abolition of slavery, the forced use of En......middle of paper......community even though Africans far outnumbered whites. They used a combination of fear tactics, Jim Crow-like separation laws, and political maneuvering to keep Africans in line. The system banned black South Africans from political participation by creating a fully European government. The country did not hold free elections until 1994, when Nelson Mandela made history by becoming South Africa's first black leader. Black people still struggle in 2014 in South Africa. Whites still control the majority of corporate investment and wealth within the country. The problem of HIV/AIDS is enormous and especially affects the black population. Rates of crime and sexual violence are among the highest in Africa and the government is constantly mired in corruption scandals. The legacy of the Boers can still be felt on the streets of South Africa today.