Bechuanaland Protectorate

The Bechuanaland Protectorate was a British protectorate in southern Africa that existed from 1885 until Botswana became independent in 1966. In January 1885 Britain decided to send a military expedition under Lieutenant Colonel Charles Warren to secure the territory against Boer and German expansion. Warren concluded treaties with Tswana chiefs and proclaimed the protectorate in March 1885; the area south of the Molopo River became the Crown colony of British Bechuanaland, while the northern part remained a protectorate. The protectorate covered about 580,000 square kilometres and was home to the Bamangwato, Bakwena and Bangwaketse peoples, among others. For much of its existence it was administered from Mafeking, outside its own borders, an unusual arrangement that lasted until 1965, when the capital moved to Gaborone. Britain originally expected to transfer the territory to Rhodesia or South Africa, but Tswana opposition kept it under direct British rule. The Bechuanaland Democratic Party, led by Seretse Khama, won the pre-independence elections, and the protectorate became the Republic of Botswana on 30 September 1966.