Aleutian Campaign

In June of 1942, The Japanese bombed the Dutch Harbour in the Aleutian Island chain. Because of bad weather, few planes met their targets and little damage was done. This is where the Japanese decided to remain for defensive purposes, to prevent the American troops from entering Japan through the Aleutians. Much of the time operations were restricted because of the weather. Most of the struggle here would be against mother nature instead of the rival enemy forces.

The Americans did little damage against the Japanese, the Japanese did little damage against the Americans. At times the weather was said to be an unpredictable ally, and other times to be an uncertain foe. The weather actually claimed it's fair share or lives. Soldier shot their own side in the fog, mistaking them for an enemy. Ships sunk as they steered into jagged rocks. Planes flew into the sides of mountains in the overcast Sky , some went of course, never to be seen again.

I personally don't understand this campaign at all. Maybe I missed something in my research, but to me it just seems like a lot of people needlessly died. I'm sure that if one side (Either the Americans or the Japanese) had left, no one would have noticed because of the weather. The campaign went on for 6 months, and maybe I am wrong, but I think that is 6 months too long.

The Countries of Africa in the 20th Century *~ .::Botswana::. ~*

Map Of Botswana

The Countries of Africa in the 20th Century *~ .::Botswana::. ~*

Current Government and Leader

Today Botswana has a democratic government. Elections for presidency are run every five years. The current leader of Botswana is Festus Mogae who was elected
in 1999, and re-elected in 2004.
First elections took place on September 30, 1966 and Seretse Khama was the first elected president after his return from exile.

The Countries of Africa in the 20th Century *~ .::Botswana::. ~*

Experience of Independence

Since South Africa would no longer be getting Bechuanaland, it was time the country become self-sufficient. Political movements were being organized starting in 1952, and negotiations to start copper mining led to an agreement in 1959. A council was eventually set up after national elections. The Bechuanaland People’s Party was founded in 1960. The British really started to push political change in 1964 and a new capital was built at Baborone. Then finally in 1965 Bechuanaland became self-governing. Seretse Khama became the Republic of Botswana’s first president. For the first five years of Botswana’s independence, it was completely financially reliant on Britain. Economic development did not really take off until about 1967-71 when diamonds were found in Orapa.

The Countries of Africa in the 20th Century *~ .::Botswana::. ~*

Colonial Experience

The British declared Botswana Bechuanaland Protectorate in 1885. During this time people of Botswana were very poor. Attempts to open mines failed, the Chiefs believed that the mines would only increase British control. Botswana was divided into eight tribal reserves, five white settler farm blocks, and the rest was ‘Crown’ lands. Later on as independence movements started all over Africa, the people of Botswana looked forward to independence and began to develop political parties.
During this time Britain exiled one of Botswana’s chiefs. The reason for this was because the South African government was not approving of the fact the chief had married a white woman. This was during the time that racial segregation was being enforced in South Africa under Apartheid.

The Countries of Africa in the 20th Century *~ .::Botswana::. ~*

Economic Resources and Challenges

At independence most people in Botswana relied on agriculture, hunting, and gathering wild foods. Diamonds were soon found after independence in 1970 at Orapa. The diamonds have been a main export ever since. Since then, diamonds have also been discovered in Jwaneng. Nickel and Copper have also been mined since 1974. Other exports include coal, salt, and soda ash. Agriculture only accounts for less than one tenth of the countries exports. Mainly, there is mostly beef exported if enough water, pasture room, and control of hoof-and-mouth disease are available. Because of drought, the number of head of cattle has fluctuated anywhere from one million to two million. Fishing and logging are only in the highest north of Botswana.
Surface water is very limited. It is mostly only found in the wetlands and in perennial rivers. Droughts are common. There are plans to build canals, as well as tapping underground water in huge quantities.

The Countries of Africa in the 20th Century *~ .::Botswana::. ~*

Demographic Statistics

Population:
1.7 million (2006)
600Thousand (1971)

Life Expectancy:
(2001)
Male: 52 Years Old
Female: 57 Years Old
(2006)
Male: 34 Years Old
Female: 34 Years Old

HIV/AIDS (2003)
People living with HIV/AIDS: 350,000
Deaths Due To: 33,000

Ethnic Groups
Tswana 79%, Kalanga 11%, Basarwa 3%, Kglagadia 3%, White 3%, Other 1%

The Countries of Africa in the 20th Century *~ .::Botswana::. ~*

Timeline

1885 – British Protectorate is declared

1950 - Chief of the Ngwato, Seretse Khama, is exiled by the British.

1952 - Rioters protest at Seretse Khama's exile.

1959 - Copper mines are first established

1960 - Bechuanaland People's Party is established.

1962 - Seretse Khama founds Bechuanaland Democratic Party

1966 - Bechuanaland is granted independence and changes its’ name to the Republic of Botswana

1967 - Diamonds discovered at Orapa.

1977 - Defense Force is established.

1991 - 12,000 sector workers are fired after strike action calling for increased wages.

1995 - Government begins relocating thousands of Bushmen.

1997 - Presidency is limited to two five-year terms. Voting age lowered from 21 to 18.

1999 - Six-day state of emergency declared to resolve voter registration problem.

2000 – Floods leave more than 60,000 people homeless.

The Countries of Africa in the 20th Century *~ .::Botswana::. ~*

Summary of Botswana during the 20th Century

Between 1880 and 1960, Botswana (Called Bechuanaland) Was under British Protectorate. (A relationship between a strong nation and a weak nation or area not recognized as a nation. Once the strong nation has established a protectorate over a weak nation, it can control its affairs.) This protectorate was created because the British believed that the Boers would collaborate with the Germans and not allow the British access to the road leading north.
Botswana was supposed to be handed over to British South Africa Company so it was a very poor country until its independence. The reason for handing the country over was because the British had no interest in governing the country. Three Botswana chiefs went to Britain to see Chamberlain and begged him not to transfer the protectorate because they did not trust the British South Africa Company. Fearing that handing over the country would cost him the election, Chamberlain agreed to not give Botswana to BSAC. The British South Africa Company attacked in what is called the Jameson Raid. Britain was so angered that they promised to never hand Botswana over to the BSAC. Britain now realized that Botswana could not be handed over to British South Africa Company. Botswana’s economy would have to be built so it could survive on its own. After its independence Britain covered the full cost of development until 1971 when the country discovered diamonds.

ALI ROCKS YOUR SOCKS!!!!!

ali is amazing-ly-amazing..... everyone loves her.


:D:D

edited because I don't thinkn people realize how truely amazing I REALY REALLY AM!

you know you love me :) :) :) :)