How did British imperial ambitions and Zulu sovereignty collide? This documentary dissects the political, economic, and military pressures that set the stage for the devastating Anglo-Zulu War of 1879.

Welcome to Part 1 of a multi-part series breaking down the Anglo-Zulu War moment by moment. From political tensions to legendary battles, this multi-part documentary unravels the full story of the Anglo-Zulu War like never before.

• 00:00 – Introduction
• 04:55 – Border Incidents at Natal and Zululand
• 12:51 – Henry Bartle Frere
• 16:07 – Border Crisis Explained
• 23:11 – Colonialist Ambitions for South Africa
• 27:08 – Zulu Response of the British
• 33:06 – Coronation of King Cetshwayo
• 35:56 – Langalibalele’s Rebellion
• 39:51 – Battle of Bushman’s Pass, 1873
• 45:25 – Formation of the Natal Native Contingent

Bibliography

• Barthorp, Michael. The Zulu War: Isandlwana to Ulundi. Cassell Publish, London. 2002. https://archive.org/details/zuluwarisandhlwa0000bart
• Cope, RL. Ploughshare of War: The Origins of the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. University of Natal Press, Pietermaritzburg. 1999. https://archive.org/details/ploughshareofwar0000cope/mode/1up
• Edgerton, Roberts B. Like Lions They Fought: The Zulu War and the Last Black Empire in South Africa. Weidenfeld and Nicolson Publishing, London. 1988. https://archive.org/details/likelionstheyfou0000edge/mode/1up
• Irvine, Louise. “Zulu Beer.” Weiner Museum of Decorative Arts. February 4, 2024. https://www.wmoda.com/zulu-beer/#:~:text=Home%2Dbrewed%20beer%20is%20vital,evoke%20and%20appease%20the%20ancestors
• King Cetshwayo’s ‘Coronation’ on 1 September 1873. South Africa. National Army Museum. Accessed December 12, 2024. https://collection.nam.ac.uk/detail.php?acc=1980-07-79-72
• Knight, Ian and Laband, John. Correspondents: The Anglo-Zulu War. Jonathan Ball Publishing, Johannesburg. 1996. https://archive.org/details/warcorrespondent0000john/mode/1up
• Lock, Ron and Quantrill, Peter. Zulu Victory: The Epic of Isandlwana and the Cover-Up. Jonathan Ball Publishing, Johannesburg. 2005. https://archive.org/details/zuluvictoryepico0000ronl/mode/1up
• Martineau, John. The Life and Correspondence of Sir Bartle Frere. John Murray Publishing, London. 1895. https://archive.org/details/lifecorresponden0000mart/
• Morris, DR. The Washing of the Spears: A History of the Rise of the Zulu Nation Under Shaka and Its Fall in the Zulu War of 1879. Book Club Associates, London. 1972. https://archive.org/details/washingofspearsh0000drmo/mode/2up
• Yorke, Edmund. Isandlwana 1879. Spellmount, The History Press. 2011. https://archive.org/details/isandlwana18790000york/mode/1up
• Young, John. Brevet Colonel Anthony W. Durnford, Royal Engineers. Anglo-Zulu War Royal Research Trust. https://www.rorkesdriftvc.com/isandhlwana/durnford.htm

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Want to learn more? Check out our moment by moment analysis of the Battle of Rorke’s Drift here!