The Anglo-Boer War respectively the South African War - an overview

Term Paper , 2006 , 18 Pages , Grade: 1,3

History - Africa

The Boer Wars at the dawn of the century highly influenced not only South
African history, especially in terms of the development of the apartheid system,
but it additionally changed the possibilities of warfare. These conflicts between
the British Empire and the two independent Boer republics, the Orange Free State
and the Transvaal (South African Republic) took place from 1880 to 1881 and
1899 to 1902. Even though formally there have been two wars in a short period of
time, one usually focuses on the Second Boer War, also known as the South
African War, Anglo-Boereoorlog (Anglo-Boer War), Tweede Vryheidsoorlog
(Second Freedom War) or “Tea-Time War”. This paper will mainly concentrate
on the South African War, even though background information will be provided.
Historians ought not to ask “What if…?”, since they have to focus on facts. But
ignoring this guideline for a moment, fascinating questions arise: “What if the
large deposits of gold and diamonds in the Transvaal were not found in the 1870s
and 1880s? Would the British have fought for the rights of the uitlanders
nevertheless?” These are two of the questions which will be dealt with (in 2.1)
when reasoning the origins / causes of the war.
Following, the paper will bring together the facts and some unusual features of the
South African War. Its center of attention will be the Guerilla War starting of in
September 1900 and lasting till the Treaty of Vereeniging in May 1902, the end of
the War.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• I. Introduction
• II. Overview of the time before the South African War
  • 2.1 Outbreak of the conflict - First Boer War
  • 2.2 Causes of the South African War
• III. The 2nd phase – the Second Boer War
  • 3.1 Guerilla war
  • 3.2 Final days of the war
• IV. Features of the South African War
  • 4.1 Concentration Camps
  • 4.2 POWs sent overseas
  • 4.3 Participation of foreigners
• V. Conclusion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This paper provides an overview of the Anglo-Boer War, also known as the South African War, focusing primarily on the Second Boer War. The paper explores the historical context of the conflict, examining the origins and causes of the war, and delving into the key features of the war, such as the Guerilla warfare and the establishment of concentration camps. The aim is to provide a comprehensive understanding of this significant historical event and its impact on South African history.

• The historical context and origins of the Anglo-Boer War.
• The causes of the war, including the discovery of gold and diamonds, the treatment of uitlanders, and the increasing tensions between the British and the Boers.
• The characteristics of the Second Boer War, including the use of Guerilla warfare and the establishment of concentration camps.
• The impact of the war on South African history, particularly in relation to the development of the apartheid system.
• The changing nature of warfare at the dawn of the 20th century as exemplified by the Anglo-Boer War.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• I. Introduction This chapter introduces the Anglo-Boer War, emphasizing its importance to both South African history and the evolution of warfare. It outlines the paper's focus on the South African War, highlighting the key themes and questions that will be explored.
• II. Overview of the time before the South African War This section examines the historical context leading up to the war, tracing the tensions between the Boers and the British in the Cape Colony. It explores the Great Trek, the establishment of the Orange Free State and Transvaal Republic, and the discovery of gold and diamonds that further fueled conflict.
• 2.1 Outbreak of the conflict - First Boer War This chapter briefly describes the First Boer War, a short-lived conflict that serves as a prelude to the Second Boer War. It emphasizes the underlying tensions between the British and Boers and the events that led to the outbreak of hostilities.
• 2.2 Causes of the South African War This chapter delves into the key factors that precipitated the Second Boer War. It explores the discovery of gold and diamonds, the grievances of the uitlanders, and the British desire to control the region's resources.
• III. The 2nd phase – the Second Boer War This section explores the Second Boer War, highlighting the crucial role of Guerilla warfare employed by the Boers. It discusses the challenges faced by the British in suppressing this new form of warfare.
• 3.1 Guerilla war This chapter delves into the characteristics of the Guerilla warfare, its impact on the war's dynamics, and its consequences for both sides of the conflict.
• 3.2 Final days of the war This chapter examines the final stages of the Second Boer War, leading up to the Treaty of Vereeniging and the conclusion of hostilities.
• IV. Features of the South African War This section examines the distinctive features of the South African War, highlighting controversial aspects such as the concentration camps and the use of prisoners of war.
• 4.1 Concentration Camps This chapter discusses the establishment and operation of the concentration camps, examining the impact on the Boer population and the ethical considerations surrounding these facilities.
• 4.2 POWs sent overseas This chapter addresses the practice of sending prisoners of war overseas, examining the ethical and political implications of this policy.
• 4.3 Participation of foreigners This chapter explores the role of foreign participants in the Anglo-Boer War, highlighting the international dimension of the conflict.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

Key terms and concepts associated with the Anglo-Boer War include: uitlanders, Boers, British Empire, Transvaal Republic, Orange Free State, Guerilla Warfare, concentration camps, apartheid, diamond rush, gold rush, and the Treaty of Vereeniging. This historical conflict involved complex dynamics between British imperial expansion, resource control, and the struggle for independence by the Boer republics. The war's legacy continues to shape South African society and its relationship with its past.

• College: University of Osnabrück
• Grade: 1,3
• Author: Claudia Oldiges (Author)
• Publication Year: 2006
• Pages: 18
• Catalog Number: V78195
• ISBN (eBook): 9783638856058
• ISBN (Book): 9783640330706
• Language: English
• Tags: Anglo-Boer, South, African