How was the royal charter important in colonising Zimbabwe?

Answer 1

The royal charter was crucial in the colonization of Zimbabwe as it granted the British South Africa Company (BSAC) significant administrative and economic powers over the territory. This charter, issued by Queen Victoria in 1889, allowed the BSAC to claim land, extract resources, and establish governance, effectively facilitating European settlement and exploitation of the region. It also legitimized the company's actions in the eyes of the British government, paving the way for further colonization and the eventual establishment of Rhodesia. This laid the groundwork for long-term colonial rule and significant socio-economic changes in Zimbabwe.