The mining of diamonds in Africa is an illustrative example for the Global Economic Development topic in Unit 6 of AP World History. You could reference this example on your AP World History test.
During the late 19th century, the discovery of diamonds in South Africa, particularly in Kimberley in 1866, marked a significant turning point in the global diamond trade. This discovery unleashed a frenzied diamond rush, attracting prospectors from around the world to Kimberley’s diamond fields. However, it was British colonial interests that capitalized most on this newfound wealth.
British companies, notably Cecil Rhodes’ De Beers Consolidated Mines, swiftly established control over diamond mining operations in South Africa. Through aggressive acquisition and consolidation of mining claims, De Beers monopolized the diamond industry, effectively controlling both production and distribution. This monopolistic control allowed Britain to dictate global diamond prices and profit immensely from South Africa’s diamond wealth.
Despite the vast profits reaped from South Africa’s diamond mines, the trade relationship between Britain and South Africa was heavily skewed in Britain’s favor. While South Africa supplied raw diamonds to Britain, it imported manufactured goods and technologies from Britain at inflated prices, resulting in a significant trade imbalance. This exploitation of South Africa’s natural resources and labor perpetuated economic dependency and hindered domestic industrial development in South Africa.
The diamond industry in South Africa during this period thus serves as a stark example of British exploitation and control in colonial economies. Britain leveraged its economic and political power to extract maximum wealth from South Africa’s diamond wealth, perpetuating cycles of economic inequality and dependency.
Free Reading Passage on Diamonds in South Africa
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Global Economic Development
Unit 6: Consequences of Industrialization
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