Causes of the war and background Flashcards
What is a Boer
Dutch Farmer
Who was the Boer fought between and what did it reveal
Britain and the two Boer republics (Transvaal and Orange Free State)
Revealed issues about Britain imperial role, National efficiency and Military reform.
Background
When did Britain acquire cape colony and Natal
1815 captured cape colony from the Netherlands which led to the Great Trek of 5000 Boer who disliked Britain rule
Great trek was initially aimed towards Natal (annexed by Britain in 1843) but had switched to the interior of OS and Transvaal.
What did the Boer not like about the British rule
Abolishing slavery
When the Boer took over OS and Transvaal who did it cause issues with
Black Africans Zulus
What was Britain reaction to Zulus antagonism
Wanted to unite its Southern Africa colonies so took control of the Transvaal I 1877 and beat the Zulus two years after in 1879
How long did the war between Britain and the Zulus last
Two years
Cause of the war Boer War 1
1880-1
Britain refusing to give Transvaal control after the Zulus defeat which meant Boer rebelled and defeated British forces particularly at Majuba Hill
Where were most British forces defeated in First Boer war
Majuba hill
Impact of the First Boer War
Gladstone government had to recognise the Transvaal and Orange free state as self governing nation under the suzerainty of the British crown
What factors had developed that had meant the British had more of an interest in South Africa
- 1886 discovery of gold in the Transvaal could shift the economic balance
- Due to the lack of industrialisation and man power a wave of British immigrants called the outlanders outnumbered the Boer
- Utilanders had most of the wealth
- Paul Kruger hostile attitude
What did the Transvaal government impose to fix the Uitlander supremacy
-what triggered Britain to get involved
Uitlander had to reside for fourteen years in the Transvaal before they could apply for naturalisation
Denied Voting rights to Britain which gave the B government to intefer
Jameson Raid
1895
Orchestrated an uprising with agitated outlanders from his charted company to overthrow Kruger by taking over Johannesburg
Events of Jameson Raid
Led by Dr Jameson led 600 armed men but surrendered to the Boer Milita
Impact of the Jameson Raid
President Kruger and President Steyn of the orange state grew closer signing a military pacts two years later 1897
Rhoades forced to resign as PM
Kruger purchased rope best guns smokeless German Mauer rifles and Creusot siege guns from France
When did the Bloemfontein meeting take place and what was the result
31 May 1899
Milner and Kruger
Milner demanded outlander full rights to vote Kruger rejected Milner walked out at 5 June in attempt to bluff the Boers
Ultimatum exchange
Chamberlain had then issued an ultimatum demanded full equality for British citizens in the transvaal
9th October 1899 Kruger issued ultimatum giving Britain 48 hours to withdraw troops from Transvaal border otherwise Transvaal and Orange free state will declare war
