Stellaland

Republic of Stellaland
(1882–1883)
Republiek Stellaland

United States of Stellaland
(1883–1885)
Verenigde Staten van Stellaland
1882–1885
Motto: Gewapend en Regtvaardig
Dutch: Armed and just(ified)
Location of Stellaland in Southern Africa (1882–1885)
Location of Stellaland in Southern Africa (1882–1885)
StatusBoer Republic
ZAR protectorate (1884)
CapitalVrijburg (Vryburg)
Common languagesDutch
Tswana
Religion
Dutch Reformed
Dutch Reformed dissenters
Badimo
GovernmentRepublic
Administrator 
• Stellaland
Gerrit Jacobus van Niekerk
• Goshen (1882–1883)
Nicolaas Claudius Gey van Pittius
LegislatureDie Bestuur
History 
• Founding of Stellaland
26 July 1882
• Founding of Goshen
October 1882
• Unification
1883
• Annexation (ZAR)
10 September 1884
• Invasion (British)
December 1884
• Abolished
August 1885
Area
Stellaland[1]15,500 km2 (6,000 sq mi)
Goshen[1]10,400 km2 (4,000 sq mi)
Population
• Stellaland[1]
20,500
• Goshen[1]
17,000
CurrencySouth African pound (£)
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Tswana people
Griqua people
British Bechuanaland
Today part ofSouth Africa

The Republic of Stellaland (Dutch: Republiek Stellaland) was, from 1882 to 1883, a Boer republic located in an area of British Bechuanaland (now in South Africa's North West Province), west of the Transvaal. After unification with the neighbouring State of Goshen, it became the United States of Stellaland (Dutch: Verenigde Staten van Stellaland) from 1883 to 1885.

During its short history, the small state became a focal point for conflict between the British Empire and the South African Republic, the two major players vying for control of the territory. After a series of claims and annexations, British fears of Boer expansionism led to its demise and, among other factors, set the stage for the Second Boer War.

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