4. Consolidation and expansion into Africa 1890-1914 Flashcards
Key reasons for British Consolidation
Conservative Gov 1895 uphold territory even through force
Britain less hap hazardous, improved ports, markets and recourses
Limit fellow power advancements
Nationalism, controlling Africa was ‘duty’
Collapse of African goes from earlier Western influence
Main causes of the 2nd Boer War 1899-1902
- political rivalry
- Rebel Boer group under Kruger who fought against Britain
- Britain had keen interests in gold mining
- influx of immigrants in Johannesburg, Dutch felt threatened
- failed conference in 1899
Role of Individuals for causes of 2nd Boer War
- Cecil Rhodes, prime minister of Cape in 1890, economic interest
- Joseph Chamberlain colonial officer in 1895
- Milner broke talks with Kruger at Bloemfontein Conference
- Kruger’s government placed political restrictions on Uitlanders for Boer’s favour
How Britain views S Africa before 2nd Boer War
- imperialist sought unification of S Africa under British flag
- importance of the Uitlanders where many spoke British
How the Boers views S Africa before the 2nd Boer War
- Boer Republic decides that Britain intended to destroy their independence
Jameson Raid New Year 1896
- force of 500 mounted police to cause tension in Transvaal by British
- embarrassing loss
Impact of the Jameson Raid
- poor public opinion by British people
- Boers saw it as a deceleration
- Boers began to arm themselves
Stage 1 of 2nd Boer War (Boers)
- Boer Offensive Oct 1899- Jan 1900 with Christmas period known as ‘black week’ as Britain suffered 3 losses
- Boer success in 3 towns (Ladysmith, Kimberly and Mafeking) and attacked when Britain had less troops
Stage 2 of 2nd Boer War (Britain)
- British response in Jan to June 1900s with heavy reinforcements by Roberts and Kitchener to get back towns
Stage 3 of 2nd Boer War (Boers)
- guerrilla warfare
- captured soldiers and supplied
- messed with communications and undertook raids
- Boers had good marksmen as many hunted
Stage 4 of 2nd Boer War (Britain)
- scorched earth policy by Kitchener
- burnt down farms and developed block housing with barbed wire and troops
- displaced Boer and African families
- set up concentration camps
Impact of concentration camps
- people died of starvation and disease
- British reaction at home, outrage
- concerned about civilisation mission
Kitchener’s tactics were justified
- Victory most important
- guerrilla warfare is hard to stop
- war not prolonged
- deaths were not ‘intentional’
Kitchener’s tactics we’re not justified
- woman taken from homes and I’ll treated
- burnt down local industry: farms
- can not justify the treatment of civilians
- damages British reputation
Consequences of the Boer War
- moral and military dance
- shook British confidence as it took so long to defeat the Boers
- other places exposed due to them having to call on troops
- damages Jingoism
What happened to the rule in S Africa after the 2nd Boer War
- Transvaal and other states became self governing under the crown
Treaty of Vereeniging 1902
- sure for it all Boer forces and their arms to the British, but compensated 3mil
- promised self governing of the Transvaal and Orange Free State under British Empire
- Boer republic come under the sovereignty of the British Crown
Overall impact of the Treaty of Vereeniging
- good for the Boers and Britain claimed control
- not mention of indigenous people which laid foundations for white dominance
Why did ‘splendid Isolation’ end
Change in strategy post Boer War, review on military
How Splendid Isolation left Britain vulnerable in Europe
German alliance with Austria-Hungary and then joined by Italy
Military agreements between Russia and France
Britain had conflict with many nations
Threat of Russia
‘Great game’
Threat in Afghanistan which bordered India
Middle East as navy in Mediterranean, Suez
Threat of Germany
Supplied Boers with weapons during Boer War
Send telegram to support Boers during Jameson Raid
Relations with Ottoman Empire threatened British Africa
Agreements which ended Splendid Isolation
Britain, France, Russia ‘Triple Entente’ in 1907
Persia Gulf became Neutral
Afghanistan recognised as British ‘Sphere of Influence’
Imperial conference 1911
Held due to threat of Germany
Dominions would offer support for an event of European conflict
Army and Naval changes
Navy moved to North Sea
Army in mainland Europe
France reliance to protect Egypt
