The Boer/British War 1899-1902

The Boer War happened in 1899, a conflict between the Boer Republics and the British Empire. Many of the British people came and stole the Boer’s (Dutch) gold that they had begun mining. The Boers became angry with the British, causing small disputes between the two. Not only were the war/fights based around gold, but also the Boer had decided to make the British lower class citizens than themselves. As you would expect, the British became angry that they were now second hand citizens. To solve the second-class issue, the Boers decided to revolt, just as the French and Americans had done so before.

As the war began, the Boers were “winning” (you cannot really win a war until it is fully over). Soon the British made a comeback and had captured the capital of the Orange Free State, Johannesburg and Pretoria. (by Mike Halsey Class of 1997). The war was not yet over though. Both the British and the Boers refused to give up against each other. The Boers knew that they could not and did not stand a chance; they were definitely less-prepared than the British (in fighting that is). The Boers realized that if they wanted to win this war, there would have to be a few changes in weaponry, they decided to start using guerrilla tactics against their opponents.

Now, it was the British turn to get angry. They took women and children; put them in concentration camps to live. Over 26,000 people died in these concentration camps, causing the Boers to break down and looser soldiers. The Boers were defeated by the British and signed a treaty at Vereeniging, submitting to the British commands. The treaty changed the Transvaal and the Orange Free State into British colonies.

Cool Fact...

An organization know as the ACS (American Colonization Society), established in 1816 offered immigration to the land of the free, Liberia. The colony founded in 1820, its main goal: to free black slaves.

David Livingstone

David Livingstone...

David Livingstone crossed Central and Southern Africa (the majority). He also discovered the Mosi-oa-Tunya waterfall in the year 1855, later renaming it Victoria Falls. David never succeeding in finding the source to the Nile River. Richard Burton, John Speke and James Grant found the Great Central Lakes, and the Nile River.

Map Of Africa

What countries went for Africa, causing the Great Race? Great Britain, Germany, France, Belgium, Portugal, Italy, Spain, Dutch and Oman… all raced for Africa’s spacious land.

Introduction/Diseases

Similar to the year 1835, Westerner’s had just begun to map out Africa’s territory. These countries included Great Britain, Germany, France, Belgium, Portugal, Italy, Spain, Dutch and Oman they all raced for Africa’s spacious land. The “Race for Africa” began around the 1800’s and at the beginning of World War I. Colonists brought police task forces along for the ride. Not only that, but colonists also invented telegraphs, railroads and steam navigation systems when they arrived in the new country. Industrialization caused better communication and transportation systems too. In Africa, better medical medicines helped cure many forms of tropical diseases, one malaria—quinine was its name.

Wealth

Since arriving in Africa, many of the Westerns stole the Native’s land, wealth and used the Natives as their own labor force, committing genocide along the way. A great deal of colonization’s used church missionaries to lie to the Native homeowners, promising them a better future and more wealth than what they had. Of course, these were all lies. They would give gifts and other small trinkets to bribe Tribal leaders (Chieftains) to sell their land and follower’s freedom in exchange for wealth. Gifts/Wealth brought disputes throughout the tribes and broke trust between everyone. Colonists would put tribes in higher rank than others, causing resentment and hatred.

Cecil Rhodes

Rhodes profited greatly by exploiting Southern Africa's natural resources, proceeds of which founded the Rhodes Scholarship upon his death. Rhodes is famous for having declared: "all of these stars... these vast worlds that remain out of reach. If I could, I would annex other planets".