Second Boer War: Difference between revisions

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Second Boer War

  File:Second Boer War Montage.png

Clockwise from top: Boer cavalry at Spion Kop, British artillery at Colenso, Boer prisoners of war at Paardeberg, British infantry at Belmont, Boer commando at Majuba Hill

The Second Boer War, also known as the Anglo-Boer War, was a conflict fought between the British Empire and two Boer states, the South African Republic (Republic of Transvaal) and the Orange Free State, over the Empire's influence in South Africa.

Background

The origins of the war were complex and stemmed from the British desire to consolidate their control over the region, which was rich in resources such as gold and diamonds. The discovery of these resources in the Witwatersrand area heightened tensions between the British and the Boer settlers, who were primarily of Dutch descent.

Course of the War

The war began on 11 October 1899, with the Boers launching preemptive strikes into British-held territories. The early phase of the war was characterized by several Boer victories, including the Battle of Colenso and the Siege of Ladysmith. However, the British eventually reinforced their troops and adopted a scorched earth policy, which included the use of concentration camps for Boer civilians.

Major Battles

Aftermath

The war ended with the signing of the Treaty of Vereeniging on 31 May 1902, which resulted in the annexation of the Boer republics into the British Empire. The war had significant long-term effects on the region, including the establishment of the Union of South Africa in 1910.

Legacy

The Second Boer War had a lasting impact on military tactics and the use of guerrilla warfare. It also highlighted the humanitarian issues associated with the use of concentration camps, which were later condemned by international observers.

References

Pakenham, Thomas. The Boer War. New York: Random House, 1979.
Farwell, Byron. The Great Boer War. New York: Harper & Row, 1976.

External links

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-[[file:Second_Boer_War_Collage.png|thumb|left]] [[file:SouthAfrica1885.svg|thumb|left]] [[file:Alexander_Duncan_Turnbull_1901,_Boer_War.jpg|thumb|right]] [[file:Foto_van_oorlog.jpg|thumb|right]] [[file:Leander_Starr_Jameson00.jpg|thumb|right]] {{short description|War between the British Empire and two Boer states (1899–1902)}}
-{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
 {{Infobox military conflict
 | conflict = Second Boer War
-| partof = the [[Boer Wars]] and the [[Scramble for Africa]]
+| partof = the [[Scramble for Africa]]
-| image = Boer War2.jpg
+| image = Second Boer War Montage.png
-| image_size = 300px
+| caption = Clockwise from top: [[Boer]] [[cavalry]] at [[Spion Kop]], [[British]] [[artillery]] at [[Colenso]], [[Boer]] [[prisoners of war]] at [[Paardeberg]], [[British]] [[infantry]] at [[Belmont]], [[Boer]] [[commando]] at [[Majuba Hill]]
-| caption = A British military encampment during the Second Boer War
 | date = 11 October 1899 – 31 May 1902
-| place = [[South Africa]], [[Swaziland]]
+| place = [[South Africa]]
-| territory = British administration over the [[Orange Free State]] and the [[Transvaal]] in accordance with the [[Treaty of Vereeniging]]
+| result = [[British]] victory
-| result = British victory
+| combatant1 = [[United Kingdom]]
-| combatant1 = {{flag|United Kingdom}}
+| combatant2 = [[South African Republic]]
-| combatant2 = [[Orange Free State]]
+| commander1 = [[Frederick Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts|Lord Roberts]]
-{{flag|South African Republic}}
+| commander2 = [[Paul Kruger]]
-| commander1 = [[Frederick Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts|Frederick Roberts]]
-[[Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener|Herbert Kitchener]]
-| commander2 = [[Piet Cronjé]]
-[[Koos de la Rey]]
-[[Louis Botha]]
-[[Christiaan de Wet]]
 | strength1 = 500,000
 | strength2 = 88,000
@@ Line 26: / Line 17: @@
 }}
-The '''Second Boer War''', also known as the '''Second Anglo-Boer War''' or the '''South African War''', was a conflict that took place from 11 October 1899 to 31 May 1902 between the [[British Empire]] and the two independent Boer states, the [[South African Republic]] (Transvaal Republic) and the [[Orange Free State]]. The war ended with a British victory and the signing of the [[Treaty of Vereeniging]].
+The '''Second Boer War''', also known as the '''Anglo-Boer War''', was a conflict fought between the [[British Empire]] and two [[Boer]] states, the [[South African Republic]] (Republic of Transvaal) and the [[Orange Free State]], over the Empire's influence in [[South Africa]].
 == Background ==
-The origins of the Second Boer War can be traced back to the discovery of gold and diamonds in the Boer territories, which attracted a large number of [[British]] settlers and prospectors. Tensions escalated due to the British desire to control the lucrative resources and the Boers' determination to maintain their independence.
+The origins of the war were complex and stemmed from the British desire to consolidate their control over the region, which was rich in resources such as [[gold]] and [[diamonds]]. The discovery of these resources in the [[Witwatersrand]] area heightened tensions between the British and the Boer settlers, who were primarily of [[Dutch]] descent.
 == Course of the War ==
-The war can be divided into three phases:
+The war began on 11 October 1899, with the Boers launching preemptive strikes into British-held territories. The early phase of the war was characterized by several Boer victories, including the [[Battle of Colenso]] and the [[Siege of Ladysmith]]. However, the British eventually reinforced their troops and adopted a scorched earth policy, which included the use of [[concentration camps]] for Boer civilians.
-=== Initial Phase ===
+=== Major Battles ===
-The initial phase of the war saw the Boers achieving several victories, including the [[Siege of Ladysmith]], the [[Siege of Kimberley]], and the [[Siege of Mafeking]]. The Boers utilized guerrilla tactics and their knowledge of the local terrain to their advantage.
+* [[Battle of Spion Kop]]
+* [[Battle of Paardeberg]]
-=== British Counteroffensive ===
+* [[Battle of Magersfontein]]
-In response, the British launched a counteroffensive under the command of [[Frederick Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts|Lord Roberts]] and [[Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener|Lord Kitchener]]. They relieved the besieged towns and captured the Boer capitals of [[Bloemfontein]] and [[Pretoria]].
-=== Guerrilla Warfare ===
-The final phase of the war saw the Boers resorting to guerrilla warfare. The British implemented a scorched earth policy, destroying Boer farms and placing civilians in [[concentration camps]]. This strategy eventually led to the depletion of Boer resources and their eventual surrender.
 == Aftermath ==
-The war resulted in significant loss of life and property. The British established control over the former Boer republics, which were incorporated into the [[Union of South Africa]] in 1910. The war also had a lasting impact on British military tactics and colonial policy.
+The war ended with the signing of the [[Treaty of Vereeniging]] on 31 May 1902, which resulted in the annexation of the Boer republics into the British Empire. The war had significant long-term effects on the region, including the establishment of the [[Union of South Africa]] in 1910.
 == Legacy ==
-The Second Boer War is remembered for its brutal tactics and the use of concentration camps, which caused a humanitarian crisis. It also marked a turning point in the history of South Africa, setting the stage for future conflicts and the eventual establishment of [[apartheid]].
+The Second Boer War had a lasting impact on military tactics and the use of [[guerrilla warfare]]. It also highlighted the humanitarian issues associated with the use of concentration camps, which were later condemned by international observers.
 == See also ==
-* [[Boer Wars]]
+* [[First Boer War]]
 * [[Scramble for Africa]]
-* [[Union of South Africa]]
+* [[British Empire]]
-* [[Apartheid]]
 == References ==
-{{Reflist}}
+* Pakenham, Thomas. ''The Boer War''. New York: Random House, 1979.
+* Farwell, Byron. ''The Great Boer War''. New York: Harper & Row, 1976.
 == External links ==
+* [https://www.britannica.com/event/Boer-War Britannica: Boer War]
+* [https://www.sahistory.org.za/article/second-anglo-boer-war-1899-1902 South African History Online: Second Anglo-Boer War]
+{{DEFAULTSORT:Second Boer War}}
 [[Category:Boer Wars]]
 [[Category:Wars involving the United Kingdom]]
@@ Line 68: / Line 57: @@
 [[Category:Conflicts in 1901]]
 [[Category:Conflicts in 1902]]
-[[Category:19th century in South Africa]]
+[[Category:19th-century conflicts]]
-[[Category:20th century in South Africa]]
+[[Category:20th-century conflicts]]
-{{BoerWars}}
-{{SouthAfricaHistory}}
-{{military-stub}}