Genuine opinions

Just a few simple questions. Was it right for the British to invade Zululand considering that the British and the Zulu’s had a very good relationship in the past?

Should Cetewayo have made more effort to avoid war?

And was it really fare to go to war knowing that the opponents, has far less sophisticated weaponry. The British knew a lot about the ways of the Zulu. They certainly knew that they were only equipped with Shields and Spears, and the maybe a old flintlock Brown-Bess rifle.

hi John
Very definitly it wasnt 'morally or ethically' right to invade. The whole thing was a put up job to annex the kingdom, combine all the southern provinces and protect British investment in the area. Blame Frere and Chelmsford.
Cetshwayo was a proud Zulu chief, but still he bent over backwards to avoid a war. He tried to meet the demands of the ultimation as much as possible. Lets face it the ultimation was designed to be impossible.
As for the last queerie, alls fair in love and war.
The art of war is to win. But for a bunch of savages armed with spears and shields, they gave the Brits one hell of a fright.
Regards

Hi John

I pretty much agree with Springbok9; the King was put in an impossible position.

But it is timely that you have asked these questions as I am currently just over half way through Ian Knight's new book, "Zulu Rising" in which he covers, in some detail, the Zulu perspectives on the road to war. I absolutely promise you that the relevant chapters - that I have read so far - will provide you with enough food for thought to enable you to draw your own conclusions - if you haven't already - on the entirely valid points you raise.

U

hi John .
I agree with sprinbok , as for the british knowing the way of the zulu , I'm not to sure , they knew the way of
the other coloured tribes , but in my way of thinking severly under-estimated the zulu's courage and pride.
They no doubt thought it would be a walk-over in which they were sadly mistaken .
cheers 90th.

Dalkeith remarked : —

" If we cast our eyes to South Africa, what do we behold ? That a nation whom we term savages have, in defence of their own land, offered their naked bodies to the terribly improved artillery and arms of modern European science, and have been mowed down by hundreds and by thousands, having committed no offence, but having, with rude and ignorant courage, done what were for them, and done faithfully and bravely what were for them the duties of patriotism. You may talk of glory, you may offer rewards, —and you are right to give rewards to the gallantry of your soldiers, who I think are entitled not only to our admiration for courage, but to our compassion for the nature of the duties they have been called to perform but the grief and pain none the less remain."