United States of Stellaland

Republiek Stellaland & Het Land Goosen Republic of Stellaland & State of Goshen (1882–1883) united as Verenigde Staten van Stellaland United States of Stellaland
Boer Republic ZAR protectorate (1884)
1882–1885
Flag Coat of arms
Motto Gewapend en Regtvaardig Dutch: Armed and just(ified)
Location of Stellaland in Southern Africa (1882–1885)
Capital		Vrijburg (Vryburg)
Languages		Dutch Tswana
Religion		Dutch Reformed, Indigenous
Government		Republic
•	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	6 August 1883
•	Annexation (ZAR)	10 September 1884
•	Invasion (British)	December 1884
•	Abolished	August 1885
Area
•	Stellaland	15,500 km² (5,985 sq mi)
•	Goshen	10,400 km² (4,015 sq mi)
Population
•	Stellaland est.	20,500
Density		1.3 /km²  (3.4 /sq mi)
•	Goshen est.	17,000
Density		1.6 /km²  (4.2 /sq mi)
Currency		South African pound (£)
Preceded by Succeeded by Tswana people Griqua people British Bechuanaland
Today part of		Botswana  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 was 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.

Before the proclamation of the republic, the area was under the control of competing Griqua and Tswana groups, while the United Kingdom laid claim to it as a part of the emerging protectorate of British Bechuanaland. Two of the indigenous groups were under the leadership of chiefs Mankoroane and Montsioa, whom the British regarded as "friendly," and another two under the leadership of chiefs Moshette and Massouw. When a feud erupted between Mankoroane and another chief, each side resorted to recruiting volunteers, promising them land in return for their assistance. After a settlement was negotiated with mediation from the Transvaal Republic, large portions of Mankoroane's land with 416 farms of 3,000 morgen (2,563 ha) each were given to Boer mercenaries who had fought on his adversary's side, and the new inhabitants decided to declare independence.