Short History World

To solve the problems of the twenty-first century, historian John Charles Chasteen argues that we must first know our shared human story.

Originally published in 1973, this book begins with the arrival of the Europeans in South Africa. It examines the part played by the Dutch, British and Afrikaners, as well the diverse ethnic groups including the Xhosa and Zulus. The complicated period of the Difiqane or ‘Forced Migrations’ is clearly discussed as is the genesis and evolution of Apartheid. Other major events which are discussed include the advent of the 1820 Settlers, the Great Trek, the discovery of diamonds, the Jameson Raid, the occupation of land which became Zimbabwe, the Anglo-Boer Wars and the two World Wars. Accounts are given of Sharpeville and the subsequent introduction of legislation formalising separate development.

Intention plays a complex role in human utterances. The interpretation of literary texts is a strong case in point: for about two hundred years there have been conflicting views about whether, and how much, authorial intention should matter when professional readers interpret literature. These debates grew increasingly fierce during the post-World War II period, the landmarks of which were the notions of intentional fallacy and the death of the author.