boer war: the guerrilla war Flashcards
What happened by late September 1900 during the Boer war?
- The Boer army in the field was defeated
- All British prisoners of war were released
- President Kruger fled
Who was left in charge of the “cleaning up” operation after September 1900?
General Robert’s returned home, leaving lord kitchener in charge of the operation
Why was the “mopping up” exercise from September 1900 to may 1902 challenging for Britain?
- it was the most gruelling and bitter phase of the second Boer war
- marked Britain’s first experience with a modern resistance movement
What advantages did the Boers have in the guerrilla phase of the war?
- Operated in small groups (commandos)
- Wore no uniform (they blended in with civilians)
- Used local farmsteads for shelter and support
- Had superior knowledge of the terrain
- Fought across a vast geographical area, including the Transvaal, Orange free state, and Cape Colony.
What defensive strategy did Britain use against Boer guerrilla tactics?
- Built 8,000 blockhouses to protect supply routes
- connected blockhouses with barbed wire fences
- partitioned the veldt into small, controlled units for systematic sweeps
What additional measures did lord kitchener implement during the guerrilla phase?
- Raiding columns supported larger sweeper columns
- Used telephone and telegraph for communication
- Armoured trains for transportation
- Scorched earth policy:
- destroyed property and crops
- slated fields and poisoned wells
What were concentration camps during the Boer war, and what were their effects?
- designed to undermine Boer guerrilla tactics
- poor management led to high civilian deaths:
- over 20,000 women and children died (1 in 4 inmates)
- black African camps had worse conditions, with over 12,000 deaths
- not a deliberate extermination policy
Who criticised the concentration camps, and what were the outcomes?
- David Lloyd George
- Henry Campbell-Bannerman
- Emily Hobhouse
Actions taken:
- Fawcett commission confirmed the camps poor conditions
- improvements were made, reducing the death rate for white inmates to 2%
What were the results of the treating of Vereeniging in 1902?
- Annexation of the two Boer republics.
- Promise of self-government (achieved by 1906-7 and 1910)
- Afrikaans allowed in schools and courts
- £3 million granted to Boers to rebuild farms
- Cost to Britain: £222 million
- Serious blow to British self-confidence
What is the significance of Mafeking being relieved?
-Mafeking was relieved on 17th May 1900.
- It marked a symbolic victory for the British during the Boer War.
What was the geographical size of the Boer territory a challenge for Britain?
- The Boers operated across vast areas, including Transvaal, Orange Free State, and Cape Colony.
- The terrain made it difficult for British troops to control or predict Boer movements.
What was the purpose of the blockhouses and barbed wire during the guerrilla war?
-Blockhouses protected supply routes and acted as strongpoints.
- Barbed wire linked blockhouses to partition the veldt into smaller, manageable sections for systematic sweeps
What was the scorched earth policy, and what did it involve?
-Farms supporting the Boers were destroyed.
- Fields were salted, making them infertile.
- Wells were poisoned to deprive the Boers of resources.
How did armoured trains aid the British during the guerrilla war?
Armoured trains were used to transport troops and supplies safely through contested areas.
Why were concentration camps criticised in the UK?
-Reports of poor conditions and high civilian deaths caused public outrage.
- Emily Hobhouse’s investigation exposed the reality of the camps.
- Criticism led to reforms following the Fawcett Commission’s findings.
What improvements were made to concentration camps following criticism?
-Better management and facilities were introduced.
- The death rate for white inmates dropped to 2%.
What was the impact of the Second Boer War on British self-confidence?
-The war undermined Britain’s belief in its military superiority.
- It highlighted the challenges of fighting a resistance movement.
How did the Treaty of Vereeniging address language and education in the former Boer republics?
-English was made the official language.
- Afrikaans was permitted in schools and law courts.
What financial aid did the British government provide to the Boers after the war?
£3 million was granted to help rebuild Boer farms and infrastructure.
How did the cost of the Boer War affect Britain?
-The war cost Britain £222 million (some sources cite £217 million).
- It strained the economy and was a stark reminder of the high cost of colonial wars.
What role did the Fawcett Commission play in addressing concentration camp conditions?
-The Fawcett Commission toured the camps and verified Emily Hobhouse’s findings.
- It pushed for reforms to reduce civilian suffering.
Why might concentration camps have been a mistaken tactic militarily?
-They alienated the Boer population, possibly increasing resistance.
- High civilian casualties generated criticism at home and abroad
What lessons from the Boer War can be seen in later conflicts?
The British experience with resistance movements during the Boer War foreshadowed challenges faced by other Western powers in similar situations (e.g., Vietnam, Afghanistan).
