Net Cost of the Boer War

Question 1

cost of the Boer war

Answer 1

• referred to as Britain’s Vietnam
• it was the costliest war that Britain undertook up until the FWW
• cost more than 250mil
• British death toll more than the African death toll
• the gold they managed to get from the Boer territories did not amount to as much as the cost did
• the only thing they really gained was the Boer territories becoming part of the Empire

Question 2

khaki election

Answer 2

• in 1900 many of army and its officers returned to Britain basking in the glory of phase 2 under Roberts
• morale for the war at home and men was high
• conservative government decided to exploit this calling for a snap election under the pretence that they had won the Boer war
• won a landslide victory
• returning Salisbury as PM - 334 seats over the liberals
• a lot of this majority can be put down to the men that had served and the war supported thus named the Khaki election

Question 3

why was the Khaki election bad for the Conservatives in the long run

Answer 3

• they were left to deal with and take the blame for phase 3
• poor health of the nation also blamed on them
• thus in 1906 liberals election promising reforms and change

Question 4

why was the health of the nation linked to the Boer War

Answer 4

• after Black Week there was an overwhelming amount of men wanting to join but many were not fit enough
• a committee of physical deterioration was established to investigate this issue
• found that among a vast population of working class men health was at all time low
• malnourished
• suffered from pollution
• bad teeth and more :(

Question 5

what happened when the Liberals came to power in 1906

Answer 5

• promised widespread health reform and change
• delivered in a huge health reform plan that included mandatory school heath checks for all children, free schools meals and a keep fit drive among young men
• signif help Britain in conflicts to come
• by FWW the ages between 18-30 was the highest it had been in centuries

Question 6

why did the Boer War strike wholesale military reforms

Answer 6

• apparent previous reforms like Cardwell had improved the army but the Boer War highlighted there was still areas that required significant improvements
• while issue with leadership would soon be eradicated as the age of the purchase system faded out there was still issues with supply, strategy and weaponry
• the British army in desperate need of modernisation
• modernisation comes in form of Haldane reform which target approach to war in all aspects especially training and conduct