The Scramble for Africa

Oppression and slavery in Sudan in Northeast Africa and an uprising by the ruling Mahdi (a messianic redeemer of the Islamic faith) would lead the former British governor General Charles Gordon into a personal, bloody war culminating in his defeat and death at Khartoum, the capital. In South Africa British businessman Cecil Rhodes would lead the rush to exploit the riches of a vast diamond mine and gold reserves. His wealth, power, politics and war would lead to the creation of the new African country of Rhodesia.