boer war: introduction Flashcards
When did Britain first acquire the Cape Colony, and when was its control formalised?
Britain acquired the Cape in 1795, returned it in 1802 under the Treaty of Amiens, re-acquired it in 1806, and formalised control in 1815 at the Congress of Vienna.
What was the initial British interest in the Cape Colony?
They wished to secure their trade routes from India
Who were the Boers, and why did they dislike British rule?
The Boers were Dutch settlers who spoke Afrikaans. They disliked British rule due to policies such as the abolition of slavery.
What was the significance of the great trek in the 1830’s?
It was the Boer migration towards Natal and eventually northward after Britain annexed Natal.
What discoveries intensified British interest in Southern Africa in the 19th century?
Diamonds were discovered in Kimberley in 1868, and the world’s largest gold deposit was found at Witwatersrand Ridge in 1886.
What was the cause of the first Boer war (1880-81)?
The Boer revolt to regain independence after British annexation of the Transvaal, intensified by the defeat of the Pedi and Zulus.
What were the outcomes of the first Boer war?
Boer victory at the battle of Majuba hill and settlements in the Pretoria conventions (1881) and the London convention (1884), granting Britain vague suzerainty over the Transvaal.
What was the Uitlander issue in the Transvaal?
Uitlanders, mainly British, outnumbered boers by mid-1890’s, yet were restricted from claiming nationality without a 14 year residence under krugers policies.
Who was Cecil Rhodes, and what role did he play in the lead-up to the Boer wars?
Rhodes was a diamond magnate and Cape colony prime minister, advocating British imperial expansion. He encouraged the Jameson Raid, an unsuccessful attempt to seize the Transvaal
What was the Jameson Raid, and what were its consequences?
A failed invasion of the Transvaal in 1895 led by Dr Jameson, which forced Rhodes to resign as cape colony PM and strained Anglo-Boer relations
What actions did Alfred Milner take that escalated tensions with the Boers?
As high commissioner, Milner demanded full citizenship for uitlanders, culminating in a failed conference in Bloemfontein in 1899.
What events led to the outbreak of the second Boer war in 1899?
Small size (fewer than 135,000 men), outdated uniforms unsuitable for the veldt, shortage of khaki cloth, underfunded auxiliary units, and unpreparedness for trench warfare or cavalry raids.
What were the strengths and weaknesses of the Boer army?
Strengths: Excellent horsemen, modern European weapons, familiarity with terrain, and strong morale.
Weaknesses:Limited manpower (60,000 men), a small white population (300,000), and reliance on a militia system.
Why was Britain’s annexation the Transvaal in 1877 significant?
The annexation was driven by strategic interests: linking trade routes, securing stability due to displaced Black Africans, and addressing the Transvaal’s bankruptcy after its war with the Pedi.
How did Britain’s war with the Zulus in the late 1870s impact its relations with the Boers?
The defeat of the Zulus empowered the Boers in the Transvaal, prompting their push for independence and eventual revolt in the First Boer War.
What was Lord Salisbury’s approach to imperial policy, and how did it contrast with Joseph Chamberlain’s?
Salisbury aimed to preserve peace to protect Britain’s imperial interests, whereas Chamberlain aggressively defended imperial expansion and sought a more cohesive empire.
What did Kaiser Wilhelm’s telegram to Paul Kruger signify after the Jameson Raid?
The telegram insulted Britain, praised Kruger’s leadership, and heightened Anglo-Boer tensions, further isolating Britain diplomatically.
What military reforms were proposed by Lord Wolseley, and why were they limited in scope?
Wolseley advocated for supply and transportation improvements, but lack of government funding hindered broader reforms.
How did Boer militia structure differ from professional armies?
Boer commandos were civilian militias, with all men aged 16-60 forming units, electing officers, and supplying their own weapons and horses.
Why did Lord Salisbury express concerns about Britain’s military capacity in 1899?
He admitted to the Queen that Britain lacked an army capable of facing even a second-class continental power, highlighting underpreparedness.
What technological advancements did the British military adopt by the late 19th century?
British forces embraced scientific and technological innovations, focusing on logistics such as supply chains and transport over long distances.
Why did the discovery of gold at Witwatersrand in 1886 threaten British interests?
The gold made the Transvaal wealthy, strengthening Boer independence and undermining Britain’s dominance in Southern Africa.
What role did public opinion play in escalating the Second Boer War?
Public and press support for Alfred Milner’s uncompromising stance pressured the British government to act against the Boers despite internal misgivings.
What were the consequences of the military pact between the Transvaal and the Orange Free State in 1897?
It strengthened Boer unity and preparedness, with the Transvaal purchasing modern weapons from Europe in anticipation of war.
What were the consequences of the military pact between the Transvaal and the Orange Free State in 1897?
It strengthened Boer unity and preparedness, with the Transvaal purchasing modern weapons from Europe in anticipation of war.
How did the killing of Tom Edgar by a Boer policeman escalate tensions?
His death and the acquittal of the policeman by an all-Boer jury fuelled outrage among the uitlanders and gave Britain a pretext for intervention.
What were the key motivations behind the Boer resistance to British imperialism?
The Boers sought to preserve their independence, distinctive culture, and control over their territories against British expansionism and uitlander influence.
How did Alfred Milner’s policies and actions contribute to the breakdown of diplomacy?
Milner’s rigid demands for uitlander rights and his walkout at the Bloemfontein Conference directly contributed to the outbreak of the Second Boer War.
