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The Batswana (plural of "Motswana"), a term also used to denote all citizens of Botswana, refers to the country's major ethnic group (called the "Tswana" in South Africa). Prior to European contact, the Batswana lived as herders and farmers under tribal rule.

In the late 19th century, hostilities broke out between the Shona inhabitants of Batswana and Ndebele tribes who were migrating into the territory from the Kalahari Desert. Tensions also escalated with the Boer settlers from the Transvaal. After appeals by the Batswana leader Khama III for assistance, the British Government on March 31, 1885 put " Bechuanaland" under its protection. The northern territory remained under direct administration as the Bechuanaland ProtectorateThe Bechuanaland Protectorate (BP) was a protectorate established in 1885 by Britain in the area of what is now Botswana. Bechuanaland" meant the country of the Bechuana ( Batswana or Tswana). The territory of Bechuanaland was divided into British Bechuan and is today's Botswana, while the southern territory became part of the Cape ColonyThe Cape Colony was a part of South Africa under British occupation during the 19th century. It stretched from the Atlantic Ocean eastwards: the final eastern boundary, after several wars against the Xhosa, stood at the Fish River. In the north, the Orang and is now part of the northwest province of South Africa; the majority of Setswana-speaking people today live in South Africa.

When the Union of South Africa was formed in 1910 out of the main British colonies in the region, the Bechuanaland Protectorate, BasutolandThe mountainous and largely arid land that came to be Basutoland was populated by San (bushmen, Qhuaique) until the end of the 16th century. From then Bantu-speaking tribes began to migrate into the area, gradually forming various groups including the Bas (now LesothoMmuso wa Lesotho Kingdom of Lesotho (In Detail) (Full size) National motto: Khotso, Pula, Nala(Peace, Rain, Prosperity Official language Sesotho, English Capital Maseru Capital's coordinates 29° 18' S, 27° 28' E Largest City Maseru Monarch HM The King of), and SwazilandUmbuso weSwatini Kingdom of Swaziland ( In Detail) National motto: Siyinqaba (Swati: "We are the fortress" Official language Swati and English Capitals Mbabane: administrative Lobamba: royal and legislative King Mswati III Prime Minister Themba Dlamini Ar (the "High Commission Territories") were not included, but provision was made for their later incorporation. However, a vague undertaking was given to consult their inhabitants, and although successive South African governments sought to have the territories transferred, Britain kept delaying, and it never actually came about. (After the election of the National Party in South Africa in 1948 the possibility was effectively dead.)

An expansion of British central authority and the evolution of tribal government resulted in the 19201920 is a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar) Events January January 7 Forces of Russian White admiral Kolchak surrender in Krasnoyarsk. January 9 Britain announces it will build 100,000 homes for war veterans. January 10 Leagu establishment of two advisory councils representing Africans and Europeans. Proclamations in 1934Events January-April January 1 Alcatraz becomes a federal prison. January 7 First Flash Gordon comic strip is published. January 10 Execution of Marinus van der Lubbe January 24 Einstein visits White House January 26 The Apollo Theater opens in Harlem, Ne regularized tribal rule and powers. A European-African advisory council was formed in 1951, and the 1961 constitution established a consultative legislative council.

In June 1964, Britain accepted proposals for democratic self-government in Botswana. The seat of government was moved from Mafikeng in South Africa, to newly established Gaborone in 1965. The 1965 constitution led to the first general elections and to independence in September 1966. Seretse Khama, a leader in the independence movement and the legitimate claimant to the Ngwato chiefship, was elected as the first president, re-elected twice, and died in office in 1980. The presidency passed to the sitting vice president, Ketumile Masire, who was elected in his own right in 1984 and re-elected in 1989 and 1994. Masire retired from office in 1998. The presidency passed to the sitting vice president, Festus Mogae, who was elected in his own right in 1999 and re-elected in 2004.