1888day.year

The Rudd Concession is granted by Matabeleland to agents of Cecil Rhodes.

In 1888, leaders of Matabeleland granted the Rudd Concession to agents of Cecil Rhodes, opening the region to British mining interests.
In 1888, representatives of the Matabele kingdom signed the Rudd Concession, granting Cecil Rhodes's British South Africa Company exclusive mining rights. The agreement promised annual payments and royal subsidies in exchange for access to vast mineral resources in present-day Zimbabwe. Critics argue that the concession was obtained through misrepresentation and unequal bargaining power. It laid the groundwork for British colonial expansion and the establishment of Southern Rhodesia. The deal transformed the economic landscape of the region and seeded long-term colonial governance by Rhodes's company.
1888 Rudd Concession Matabeleland Cecil Rhodes
1947day.year

The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), the foundation of the World Trade Organization (WTO), is founded.

The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), precursor to the WTO, is established in 1947 to regulate international trade.
On October 30, 1947, 23 nations signed the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) in Geneva. The treaty aimed to reduce tariffs and other trade barriers to foster economic cooperation. It provided a forum for multilateral negotiations and dispute resolution. Over successive rounds, GATT members lowered duties significantly. In 1995, the creation of the World Trade Organization (WTO) built upon GATT’s framework. GATT’s principles of non-discrimination and transparency remain central to global trade. It set the foundation for modern economic globalization and interdependence.
1947 General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade World Trade Organization