Stellaland

Republic of Stellaland (1882–1883) Republiek Stellaland United States of Stellaland (1883–1885) Verenigde Staten van Stellaland
1882–1885
State (top) and civil (bottom) flags Coat of arms
Motto: Gewapend en Regtvaardig Dutch: Armed and just(ified)
Location of Stellaland in Southern Africa (1882–1885)
Status	Boer Republic ZAR protectorate (1884)
Capital	Vrijburg (Vryburg)
Common languages	Dutch Tswana
Religion	Dutch Reformed Dutch Reformed dissenters Badimo
Government	Republic
Administrator
• Stellaland	Gerrit Jacobus van Niekerk
• Goshen (1882–1883)	Nicolaas Claudius Gey van Pittius
Legislature	Die 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
Currency	South African pound (£)
Preceded by Succeeded by Tswana people Griqua people British Bechuanaland
Today part of	South 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.