Final answer:
The economic success of the British South Africa Company was influenced by the discovery of resources, spread of imperialism, and joint-stock company investments in the late 19th century.
Step-by-step explanation:
The economic success of businesses such as the British South Africa Company in the late nineteenth century was partly dependent on a number of developments during that era. One key factor was the discovery of natural resources like diamonds and gold, which drove colonization and competition among European powers. Additionally, the spread of imperialistic policies and the creation of colonial economies played significant roles. The British South Africa Company, formed by Cecil Rhodes, was granted a charter that allowed it to exploit these resources and territories. Rhodes aimed to expand British influence and his own wealth through this company by obtaining mineral concessions and ruling over vast areas in Southern Africa.
Moreover, the development of joint-stock companies, which spread ownership and allowed for greater risk-taking with limited financial liability, provided a means to gather the necessary investment capital. This, combined with a stable government, infrastructure, and the support of the Bank of England in Great Britain, created a conducive environment for such companies to flourish, enabling them to finance large colonial ventures.
In the context of global economic changes, Britain's declining but still substantial control over maritime trade and its semi-closed colonial economic systems, as seen in India, provided models for how colonies could be economically beneficial. These factors collectively supported the economic success of the British South Africa Company and similar enterprises during the late nineteenth century.