Empire, Dissidence and Disease. The Impact of the First World War on the Molteno District of the Eastern Cape, 1914–1919

Abstract

This article explores the social impact of the First World War on the remote farming area of the Molteno District in the North Eastern Cape of South Africa from 1914 to 1919. It deals with the impact of the war on ideologies, political transition, race and health. Since its inception in 1874 as a coal mining town, Molteno had been dominated by British merchants, public servants and professional men who, given a variety of social, political, economic and cultural networks linking the colonies to the Empire, identified strongly with Britain. Similarly, many Afrikaner farmers in the region had also felt an affinity with the Empire, having experienced the material benefits of the spread of capitalism, communication networks and banking, the development of sheep farming and the discovery of diamonds. Contrary to much of the literature, the article suggests that many Afrikaners were alienated by the war rather than influenced by Hertzog's new Afrikaner Nationalist Party which in the end may have merely provided a home for alienated Afrikaners. It also attempts to examine the experience of blacks in the region who supported Britain's cause in the war contributing labour and even finance. Finally the so-called Spanish ‘Flu, which was cruelly brought home by demobbed soldiers, is analysed as an effect of the war.