Botswana: A History of Independence
Discover the Story of Botswana's Formation
From Bechuanaland Protectorate to Modern Nation: Explore the pivotal moments that shaped Botswana's identity.

Botswana (Bechuanaland)
The British sought to maintain their influence over the Tswana tribes due to their strategic location connecting southern and central Africa. Facing potential encroachment from German South West Africa and Afrikaners, the Tswana chiefs saw British protection as a preferable alternative to German settler colonialism. In 1885, Bechuanaland became a British protectorate under the Bechuanaland Protectorate Order in Council, formally established in 1904 with a guarantee against incorporation into the Union of South Africa.
Strategic Location
Botswana's position connected Southern and Central Africa, making it a key area of interest for European powers.
Tswana Chiefs' Role
The Tswana chiefs played a crucial role in negotiating and shaping the protectorate's establishment.
Avoidance of Settler Colonialism
The British protectorate was seen as a way to prevent the kind of German settler colonialism feared by the Tswana.
1904: Formalization of the Protectorate
An Order in Council formally defines the Bechuanaland Protectorate and guarantees its non-incorporation into the Union of South Africa.