October 11 - The Second Boer War Begins

This Day in History: 11 October 2020

 

11 October 1899

 

121 years ago, today, the Second Boer War began in South Africa, between the British Empire and the Boers of the Transvaal and Orange Free State. The Boers were the descendants of the original Dutch settles in southern Africa. In 1806, during the Napoleonic wars, Britain took possession of the Dutch Cape colony, initiating resistance from the independent Boers. They resented the Anglicisation of South Africa, and hated Britain's anti-slavery policies. They began an exodus into African tribal territories in 1833 and founded the republics of the Transvaal and the Orange Free State. These new republics lived peacefully with their British neighbours until 1867, when diamond and gold was discovered in the region.

 

By mid-June 1900, British forces had captured most major Boer cities and annexed the territories, but the Boers guerrilla tactics frustrated the British occupiers. In 1901, the British began to systematically search and destroy the units, while herding their families into concentration camps. The British had crushed the Boer resistance by 1902. In May, the Peace of Vereeniging was signed, ending hostilities. The treaty recognised British military administration over the Boer republics and authorised general amnesty for their Boer forces. 8 years later, the Union of South Africa was established by the British.

 

Want to find out more about the Boer Wars? Click here for more information, or here for more about the history of South Africa.