Throughout history there have always been different
interpretations of Shaka such as, he was a military
genius. To what extent do you agree with this
interpretation?
Shaka was King of the Zulus and massively influential figure in terms of
developing the Zulu society during his reign. There have always been
many different interpretations of Shaka, such as he was a military genius
but to a lesser extent Shaka has been portrayed by some historians as
being less of a military genius but rather more of a despotic, cruel tyrant
and the cause of great destruction and misery in large parts of Southern
Africa during the Mfecane.
Some portray Shaka as more of a despotic leader, saying that despite his
intelligence and ability, Shaka violated the customs of his people, with a
harsher rule as his years as ruler of the Zulu people passed and eventually
becoming a cruel tyrant due to this harsh style of leadership (Source E).
This shows that Shaka, while he may have been an intelligent and capable
leader, definitely possessed elements of a dictator due to his estrangement
from his people and his over-ambitious nature.
As well as this, Shaka was also arrogantly confident in his abilities as ruler,
crediting himself as the reason that the Zulu chiefdoms were so strong,
and unaffected by the threat of colonial invasion than perhaps other
chiefdoms; saying “The day I die the country will be overrun by locusts, it
will be ruled by white men. The stars will be bright in the sky. While I am
still taking care of you.” (Source B) Statements like these could only have
added to his despotic and dictatorial persona, with him believing himself
to be the sole savior and great protector of the people.
However, to a greater and more believable extent Shaka, whilst displaying
despotic and tyrannical tendencies was in fact a greatly influential military
genius, and this is something that should not be overlooked in the
depiction of him throughout history. Indeed, Shaka has been compared to
and found to surpass Napoleon who was also majorly influential as a
military power (Source D). Shaka’s military career is shown to be a
successful one, due to his uplifting of his people through successful
military strategies that caused them to become immensely powerful
within society in Africa.
interpretations of Shaka such as, he was a military
genius. To what extent do you agree with this
interpretation?
Shaka was King of the Zulus and massively influential figure in terms of
developing the Zulu society during his reign. There have always been
many different interpretations of Shaka, such as he was a military genius
but to a lesser extent Shaka has been portrayed by some historians as
being less of a military genius but rather more of a despotic, cruel tyrant
and the cause of great destruction and misery in large parts of Southern
Africa during the Mfecane.
Some portray Shaka as more of a despotic leader, saying that despite his
intelligence and ability, Shaka violated the customs of his people, with a
harsher rule as his years as ruler of the Zulu people passed and eventually
becoming a cruel tyrant due to this harsh style of leadership (Source E).
This shows that Shaka, while he may have been an intelligent and capable
leader, definitely possessed elements of a dictator due to his estrangement
from his people and his over-ambitious nature.
As well as this, Shaka was also arrogantly confident in his abilities as ruler,
crediting himself as the reason that the Zulu chiefdoms were so strong,
and unaffected by the threat of colonial invasion than perhaps other
chiefdoms; saying “The day I die the country will be overrun by locusts, it
will be ruled by white men. The stars will be bright in the sky. While I am
still taking care of you.” (Source B) Statements like these could only have
added to his despotic and dictatorial persona, with him believing himself
to be the sole savior and great protector of the people.
However, to a greater and more believable extent Shaka, whilst displaying
despotic and tyrannical tendencies was in fact a greatly influential military
genius, and this is something that should not be overlooked in the
depiction of him throughout history. Indeed, Shaka has been compared to
and found to surpass Napoleon who was also majorly influential as a
military power (Source D). Shaka’s military career is shown to be a
successful one, due to his uplifting of his people through successful
military strategies that caused them to become immensely powerful
within society in Africa.
