Boer war

Two wars in South Africa.

1880-1881

The Boers, who were Dutch-origin South African farmers, fought against the British forces. They were determined to gain the independence of the Transvaal. The Battle at Majuba in 1881 was the turning point. The Boers won against the British and conquered the Transvaal and Orange Free State. British confidence and troop morale was shaken. Nobody believed that the formerly poor farmers could increase their influence.

1899-1902

Before the second Boer War, the Boers gained wealth and prosperity. Their influence, except their political influence, kept on increasing. The second Boer War was sparked off after the Jameson raid. The British forces tried to overthrow the government of Paul Kruger, the leader of the Boers. Britain even feared that the Boers might become too powerful and feared for their supremacy. In 1886, the Witwatersrand goldfield was discovered. The discovery led to many conflicts because there were many complaints that the uitlander were treated inappropriately. Britain did not ease the conflict. After an ultimatum has been issued 10 October 1899, the Boers went to war with Britain. The Basutoland, which was considered neutral, was attacked by the Boers at 3 fronts. The British forces launched a counter-attack, which failed. The Boers annexed more territories. At the beginning of the war, it looked as if the Boers were winning again. Britain reacted and in May 1900 more forces were deployed to South Africa. Step by step the formerly lost territory was reconquered. The Boers moved against the British forces in Natal and the Cape area but were cut off. Kruger, the leader of the Boers, fled the country. The territories went back under British command. Due to the severe losses on the Boer ground, the war strategy was changed to a guerilla warfare. Farm houses, herds and farmland were burned down by the Boer supporters. The war came to an end in May 1902, when the Boer's last rebellion failed and they finally surrendered. The Treaty of Vereening was signed 31 May 1902 and stated that the Boers and their territories were annexed to the British Empire. After the war, the British were not only criticised for their severe losses of the territories but for putting non-combatants into concentration camps as well.

Sources

Arnold-Baker. Charles. The Companion to British History. Kent: Longcross Press, 1996.

Cannon, John (ed.). A Dictionary of British History. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2001.