Boer War facts for kids
The Boer War usually refers to two important wars in South Africa. These wars were fought between the British Empire and two independent Boer states: the South African Republic (also called Transvaal) and the Orange Free State.
The Boers were descendants of Dutch settlers who had moved to South Africa many years before. They wanted to keep their independence and way of life. The British Empire, on the other hand, wanted to expand its control in southern Africa. They were also interested in the gold and diamond mines discovered in the Boer territories.
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The First Boer War (1880-1881)
The First Boer War was a short conflict. It lasted from December 1880 to March 1881. The Boers were good at fighting in their own land. They managed to defeat the British in several battles. Because of these defeats, the British decided to make a peace treaty. This treaty gave the Boers back their independence, but under British supervision.
The Second Boer War (1899-1902)
The Second Boer War was much bigger and longer. It lasted from October 1899 to May 1902. This war is often simply called "The Boer War." It was a very important event for both South Africa and the British Empire.
Why the Second Boer War Started
There were several reasons why the second war began:
- Gold and Diamonds: Huge amounts of gold were found in the Transvaal in 1886. This made the British very interested in controlling the area.
- British Expansion: The British wanted to connect their colonies in Africa. They saw the independent Boer republics as a barrier.
- The Jameson Raid: In 1895, a group of British raiders, led by Leander Starr Jameson, tried to start an uprising in the Transvaal. This failed raid made the Boers very suspicious of the British.
- Boer Independence: The Boers wanted to protect their independence and way of life from British influence.
Early Stages of the War
At the start of the war, the Boers were very successful. They were skilled fighters and knew the land well. They quickly surrounded several British towns, including Mafeking, Ladysmith, and Kimberley. These were called sieges.
The British were surprised by the strength of the Boer forces. They sent many more soldiers from Britain and other parts of their empire, like Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
British Counter-Offensive
After some early defeats, the British brought in new generals, like Lord Roberts and Lord Kitchener. They launched a strong counter-attack. The British army was much larger and better equipped. They managed to relieve the besieged towns and capture the Boer capitals.
Guerrilla Warfare
Even after their capitals were captured, the Boers did not give up. They changed their tactics and started fighting a guerrilla war. This meant they fought in small groups, attacking British supply lines and small outposts. Leaders like Christiaan De Wet became famous for their clever tactics.
To fight the guerrillas, the British used new strategies. They built many blockhouses (small forts) to protect their railways and roads. They also used "scorched earth" tactics, destroying Boer farms and homes to prevent them from supporting the guerrillas.
Concentration Camps
During this phase of the war, many Boer families were moved to special camps. These were called "concentration camps." The British did this to prevent the families from helping the Boer fighters. Life in these camps was very hard. There was not enough food or clean water, and many people, especially children, became sick and died.
End of the War
The Second Boer War finally ended on May 31, 1902. The Boers and the British signed the Treaty of Vereeniging. The Boer republics lost their independence and became part of the British Empire. However, the British promised to help rebuild the country and eventually allow the Boers to have a say in their own government.
Important People in the Boer Wars
- Paul Kruger: The president of the South African Republic (Transvaal) during both wars. He was a strong leader for the Boers.
- General Redvers Buller: An early British commander who faced several defeats.
- Lord Roberts: A famous British general who took command and turned the tide of the war for the British.
- Lord Kitchener: Roberts's second-in-command, who later took over and led the fight against the Boer guerrillas.
- Christiaan De Wet: A very skilled Boer guerrilla leader who was hard for the British to catch.
- Mohandas K. Gandhi: The future leader of India, who served as a stretcher-bearer in the Natal Indian Ambulance Corps during the war.
- Winston Churchill: The future British Prime Minister, who was a war correspondent and prisoner of war during the conflict.
Legacy of the Boer Wars
The Boer Wars had a lasting impact. They led to the creation of the Union of South Africa in 1910, which brought together all the different territories. The wars also showed the world how difficult it was for a large empire to control determined local populations. For the British, it was a costly war, but it also strengthened their empire in some ways. For the Boers, it was a fight for their freedom and identity.
Images for kids
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A typical British soldier Corporal Alexander Duncan Turnbull of Kitchener's Fighting Scouts
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Extent of the British Empire in 1898, prior to the outbreak of the Second Boer War
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A sketch showing the arrest of Jameson after the failed raid, in 1896
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Paul Kruger, leader of the South African Republic (Transvaal)
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1899 German political cartoon
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Boers in a trench at Mafeking, 1899
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War theatre in northern Natal
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General Redvers Henry Buller launched an offensive against the Boers in the early phases of the war but after several defeats, culminating at the Battle of Colenso, he was replaced by Earl Roberts.
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Lord Roberts's arrival at Cape Town
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British casualties lie dead on the battlefield after the Battle of Spion Kop, 24 January 1900.
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Boer General Piet de Wet, 1900
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Siege of Ladysmith
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The Relief of Ladysmith. Sir George Stuart White greets Major Hubert Gough on 28 February. Painting by John Henry Frederick Bacon (1868–1914).
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General Piet Cronjé as a prisoner of war in Saint Helena, 1900–02. He was captured, along with 4,000 soldiers, after the loss of the Battle of Paardeberg.
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A Transit camp for Prisoners of War near Cape Town during the war. Prisoners were then transferred for internment in other parts of the British Empire.
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Kitchener succeeded Roberts in November 1900 and launched anti-guerrilla campaigns. 1898 photograph in 1910 magazine.
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A surviving blockhouse in South Africa. Blockhouses were constructed by the British to secure supply routes from Boer raids during the war.
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Christiaan De Wet was the most formidable leader of the Boer guerrillas. He successfully evaded capture on numerous occasions and was later involved in the negotiations for a peace settlement.
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The end result of the Boer War was the annexation of the Boer Republics to the British Empire in 1902
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Peace conference at Vereeniging
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C Company returns from Boer War, pictured here in King Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Tents in the Bloemfontein concentration camp
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British and Australian officers in South Africa, c. 1900
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The unveiling of the South African War Memorial in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in 1908
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Harold Lothrop Borden – son of the National Minister of Defence and the most famous Canadian casualty of the war
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Natal Indian Ambulance Corps with future leader Mohandas K. Gandhi (Middle row, 5th from left)
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Indian Monument at Observatory Ridge
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New Zealand troops marching down Wellesley Street, Auckland, to embark for South Africa
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The top of the Dunedin Boer War Memorial. The memorial reaffirms New Zealand's dedication to the Empire. As McLean and Phillips said, the New Zealand Boer War Memorials are "tributes to the Empire and outpourings of pride about New Zealand’s place” in the Empire.
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Memorial at Plymouth, by Emil Fuchs
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A group of British prisoners, with Winston Churchill on the right
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Wounded British soldiers
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Canadian soldiers en route to South Africa in 1899
See also
In Spanish: Segunda guerra bóer para niños
