Editing History of Botswana (section)

=== Formation of the protectorate ===
The United Kingdom feared increasing German influence in the region, and it agreed to form the [[Bechuanaland Protectorate]].{{Sfn|Hillbom|Bolt|2018|p=40}}{{Sfn|Leith|2005|p=23}} The British wished to preserve its influence over the Tswana tribes, as they provided a connection between southern and central Africa.{{Sfn|Samatar|1999|p=44}} Tswana chiefs feared encroachment by [[German South West Africa]] and the [[Afrikaners]],{{Sfn|Molutsi|2004|p=161}} and they believed that the alternative to British control was [[settler colonialism]] by Germany.{{Sfn|Hjort|2009|p=694}} They also wished to avoid falling under the control of South Africa or mining magnate [[Cecil Rhodes]], though the protectorate still found itself dependent on South Africa economically.{{Sfn|Rotberg|2023|p=197}}

The region was divided into tribal land ruled by the chiefs and [[crown land]] controlled by the United Kingdom.{{Sfn|Molutsi|2004|p=161}} Eight tribes were recognised by the British upon the creation of the protectorate. The largest four were given tribal reserves: the Kwena, the Ngwaketse, the Ngwato, and the Tawana. Three smaller ones were also recognised: the Kgatla, the [[Tlokwa people|Tlokwa]], and the [[Malete people|Malete]]. The eighth, the [[Tshidi people|Tshidi]], were given a reserve crossing the border between the protectorate and South Africa.{{Sfn|Gulbrandsen|2012|p=30n1}} While members of non-Tswana minorities were allowed to participate in Tswana society and governance, they were given no tribal reserves of their own.{{Sfn|Hjort|2009|p=703}} The introduction of tribal reserves altered the nature of Tswana governance, as tribes had previously been less defined and subject to expansion or shifting. With territories divided into tribal jurisdictions, residents were no longer able to easily leave a tribe.{{Sfn|Samatar|1999|pp=46–47}}{{Sfn|Leith|2005|p=24}} The protectorate initially extended to the Ngwato, reaching from 22 degrees south to the [[Molopo River]], but it was extended to 18 degrees south to reach the [[Chobe River]] in 1890.{{Sfn|Robinson|Parsons|2006|p=114}}{{Sfn|Denbow|Thebe|2006|p=30}} This provided the British more labourers under its jurisdiction and created a larger barrier to limit German colonisation.{{Sfn|Denbow|Thebe|2006|p=30}} Other Tswana peoples lived to the south of the protectorate and were later absorbed into South Africa.{{Sfn|Leith|2005|p=23}}

The Kgafela people settled in [[Mochudi]] in 1887. This Kgatla group quickly became influential in the region and its name became synonymous with Kgatla.{{Sfn|Matemba|2003|p=53}} British soldiers led by [[Charles Warren]] arrived in 1891 to formally establish the protectorate.{{Sfn|Molutsi|2004|p=161}} Its government was defined, and a commissioner was appointed as its head. The commissioner was given broad powers over the protectorate, so long as he respected previously established tribal law.{{Sfn|Samatar|1999|p=45}} Its capital was the South African city of [[Vryburg]], meaning that the colonial rulers did not reside in the protectorate and had little direct involvement in its affairs.{{Sfn|Hillbom|Bolt|2018|p=41}} Instead, the high commissioner operated through two assistant commissioners, and a district commissioner facilitated contact with the various tribes.{{Sfn|Makgala|2009|p=229}} The centralisation of British rule in South Africa meant that the Bechuanaland Protectorate was economically dependent on it.{{Sfn|Molutsi|2004|p=162}}

The British government believed the Bechuanaland Protectorate to be only a temporary entity and expected that it would soon be absorbed by a British colony.{{Sfn|Robinson|Parsons|2006|p=115}} In the meantime, it believed that a self-sufficient protectorate would cost less to maintain.{{Sfn|Hjort|2009|p=694}}{{Sfn|Beaulier|Subrick|2006|p=108}} For these reasons, the colonial administration imposed very little direct control of the Bechuanaland Protectorate.{{Sfn|Holm|Molutsi|1992|p=77}} The chiefs benefited from these affairs and were able to empower and enrich themselves; they retained broad autonomy, but colonial backing meant that they no longer needed the consent of the tribes to maintain rule.{{Sfn|Hillbom|Bolt|2018|pp=41–42}}{{Sfn|Gulbrandsen|2012|pp=66–67}} Tribal rule became autocratic, which led to human rights abuses and discrimination against women and ethnic minorities.{{Sfn|Molutsi|2004|pp=161–162}}