Alexander CekalaThe Second Boer War
Today I'm going to do a post on the Second Boer War, which took place between Britain and the Boer Republics of the Orange Free State and the South African Republic from 1899 until 1902.
Background
The Boer republics were small states, composed of Dutch settlers that had lived in the south most part of Africa for generations. However, with the discovery of gold huge numbers of British citizens entered the states, outnumbering the locals in some small areas. Fearful of this the Boer republics refused these people equal rights and eventually this led to war.
The War
After initial Boer success (until the start of 1900) the British army began to gain the upper hand. After the main armies were defeated the Boers resorted to guerilla warfare and, despite the 250,000 British troops, this made it very hard for the British to maintain control. However, in 1902 a large group of commandos engaged a British Army. There loss signalled the end of the war, which was made official in the Treaty of Vereeniging.
However, the Boers were given 3 million pounds for reconstruction and promised independence, which they were given in 1910, as they became united as South Africa.
Later developments
Soon after this Britain's position as a world power began to become more tenuous and at the start of World War I some Boers rebelled against those who had signed a peace with Britain. However, this rebellion was rapidly put down.
South Africa's next major struggle was to be the struggle of the native Africans against this new government.
Adam
Background
The Boer republics were small states, composed of Dutch settlers that had lived in the south most part of Africa for generations. However, with the discovery of gold huge numbers of British citizens entered the states, outnumbering the locals in some small areas. Fearful of this the Boer republics refused these people equal rights and eventually this led to war.
The War
After initial Boer success (until the start of 1900) the British army began to gain the upper hand. After the main armies were defeated the Boers resorted to guerilla warfare and, despite the 250,000 British troops, this made it very hard for the British to maintain control. However, in 1902 a large group of commandos engaged a British Army. There loss signalled the end of the war, which was made official in the Treaty of Vereeniging.
However, the Boers were given 3 million pounds for reconstruction and promised independence, which they were given in 1910, as they became united as South Africa.
Later developments
Soon after this Britain's position as a world power began to become more tenuous and at the start of World War I some Boers rebelled against those who had signed a peace with Britain. However, this rebellion was rapidly put down.
South Africa's next major struggle was to be the struggle of the native Africans against this new government.
Adam
