Answer to Question #129914 in History for Marno Plank

Question

Briefly discuss the attractions of life in the Cape interior for the trekboer farmers of the 18th century.

Answer 1

Trekboer was a breed of men that had evolved in South Africa in the 18^th century. They were nomadic pastoralists descended from the French and the Dutch. The Trekboer were living in their wagons and rarely did they remain in the same locations. But a number of them finally settled in the interior of cape.

Pastoralism was the main economic activity of the Trekboer during the 18^th century. Cape interior was a fertile region that had pasture for their animals. The land was also large in that it was suitable so their cattle might enjoy the sweet grass that was present in the region. The region also prompted them to start farming by growing grains which was during well as the land was fertile and experienced good amount of rainfall. This prompted the Trekboer to settle in this region where they could practice their farming and pastoralism and furthermore make their own rules and organize their lives in the way the wanted as the region was far away from the British colony.