Causes of the Boer War

Question 1

All causes of the Boer War ?

Answer 1

Political
Economic
Social
Strategic
Influence of Individuals

Question 2

How was political a cause of the Boer War

Answer 2

• Britain desire for s South African Federation ( which included Transvaal and the Orange Free State to ensure British control in the area
  However, the boers were fiercely independent and determined to resist British control. This increased tensions
• Failure at Bloemfontein Conference Milner demanded the Transvaal grant voting rights to the Uitlanders but Kruger refused.
• Afraid of a German alliance the Kaiser openly supported the Boers

Question 3

Economic cause of the Boer War ?

Answer 3

• Transvaal’s prestige and power grew with the discovery of gold. They became economically powerful. Britain, especially Rhodes and Chamberlain, were worried about British dominance in Southern Africa was threatened
• Boers also imposed tariffs which damaged British trade in the region
• As the Transvaal, had some financial gain and prosperity, Britain wanted entrance and control of this lucrative area.

Question 4

Social cause of the Boer War

Answer 4

• Concern over the rights of Uitlanders in Transvaal ( many of whom were British )
• Kruger’s denial of voting rights to the Uitlanders gave British a pretext for interference in Transvaal.
• Tom Edgar, an Englishmen, was shot by a Transvaal policeman In 1898. This prompted Uitlander outrage and pressure on British government to intervene.

Question 5

Strategic cause of the Boer War

Answer 5

• quest for British consideration was largely to counter German territorial gains and Boer confidence derived from Transvaal’s gold wealth
• Control of Transvaal would ensure British control In Southern Africa.

Question 6

How was influence of individuals a cause of the Boer War ?

Answer 6

Aim and ambitions of individuals - Cecil Rhodes , president of the Cape Colony from 1890, dreamed of bringing the whole of Africa under British rule. Standing the way of his ambitions were the Boer Republics. Thus his aim to gain control of the area.
- Joseph Chamberlain - influential individual was also concerned of British control - he was supportive of aggressive policy

Question 7

How did the Boers get more powerful ?

Answer 7

• became economically powerful after discovery of gold
• it had extended its control over Swaziland by establishing by establishing its own independent rail network to the Portuguese port of Lourenço Marques

Question 8

Kaiser Wilhelm involvement with the Boers ?

Answer 8

• the Kaiser sent a telegram of support following the Jameson Reid known as Kruger Telegram
• supplied the Boers with weapons during the 1899- 1902 war.

Question 9

What made the British angry and made them realise that the Transvaal threatened their colonies ?

Answer 9

• Transvaal proposed to building a railway through Portuguese East Africa thereby by passing British controlled ports in Natal and Cape Colony. this would undermine the prosperity of the British colonies