The main cause of the Zulu Wars in the 1870s was British imperial expansion into Southern Africa, specifically the desire to annex Zulu territory as part of greater control over the region. Tensions had been escalating between the British and the Zulu Kingdom over land and resources, particularly following the discovery of gold and diamond in nearby areas. The war officially began in 1879 with the British invasion but met fierce resistance from Zulu warriors, leading to significant battles such as Isandlwana. Ultimately, the conflict demonstrated the complexities of colonial rule and indigenous resistance.