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.