Overview
The Boer Wars or South African Wars were two separate events, the first Boer War(1880-1881) and the Second Boer War( 1899-1902), where the British fought the Boers (descendants of the Dutch settlers) for control of Boer owned land.
The Boer War had causes going back to the beginning of colonisation in Africa. Both the Boers and the British settlers wanted political and economic control of the region and this resulted in many conflicts and wars over the one hundred years leading up to the Boer War. One of the largest conflicts started during the gold rush of 1886. The British sought to capitalise on this new resource but the Boers resisted as the gold was found on their land, Transvaal owned and part of the independently run South African Republic. However the British saw huge opportunities for foreign investment and over several decades brought 100,000s of settlers to the area, today known as Johannesburg. Both Boer Wars started over proposals for the annexation of the South African Republic, which the Boers resisted and were willing to fight back against the British for their independence.
During both wars concentrations camps were developed under British control; today they are commonly overlooked. Hundreds of thousands of women and children were forced into laborious jobs and lived in atrocious conditions and many died from disease and starvation.
The outcome of the second Boer War was that the Boers surrendered in May 1902 and signed a treaty with the British, losing their independence and title of a free state. In the next few years the Boers were compensated 3 million pounds to rebuild and eventually became a limited self-government, but were still mainly controlled by the British.
The Boer War had causes going back to the beginning of colonisation in Africa. Both the Boers and the British settlers wanted political and economic control of the region and this resulted in many conflicts and wars over the one hundred years leading up to the Boer War. One of the largest conflicts started during the gold rush of 1886. The British sought to capitalise on this new resource but the Boers resisted as the gold was found on their land, Transvaal owned and part of the independently run South African Republic. However the British saw huge opportunities for foreign investment and over several decades brought 100,000s of settlers to the area, today known as Johannesburg. Both Boer Wars started over proposals for the annexation of the South African Republic, which the Boers resisted and were willing to fight back against the British for their independence.
During both wars concentrations camps were developed under British control; today they are commonly overlooked. Hundreds of thousands of women and children were forced into laborious jobs and lived in atrocious conditions and many died from disease and starvation.
The outcome of the second Boer War was that the Boers surrendered in May 1902 and signed a treaty with the British, losing their independence and title of a free state. In the next few years the Boers were compensated 3 million pounds to rebuild and eventually became a limited self-government, but were still mainly controlled by the British.
Causes of the WarThe long term causes of the war go as far back as the introduction of British settlers into Africa and the promise of wealth from the gold and diamond mines.
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OppositionThe Boers opposed the British propositions to be included into the British colony.
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Consequences and Effect on New Zealand societyNew Zealand sent 6,500 soldiers to South Africa and were enthusiastic to fight for the British side.
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