The Second Boer War was the second and most costly war that involved the British between the Napoleonic and World War I. It
occurred between October 11, 1899 to May 31,1902. It was fought between the Boer (Dutch inhabitants of the South African
republic and the Orange Free State) and the British. The Boers had formed two republics, the Transvaal and the
Orange Free State. After the discovery of gold and diamonds, which Britain wanted control of in the Transvaal Republic, the Boers
wanted to retain their independence and issued an ultimatum to Britain and declared war against them.Between October 1899
and January 1900 the Boers attacked Cape Colony and Natal.They defeated the British in the towns of Ladysmith, Mafeking, and
Kimberly. When more British reinforcement arrived on February 14, 1900 commanded by Lord Roberts did they lose control.
The British army had the latest military technology, including the Maxim machine gun. The Boers surrendered in May 1902 with
The Treaty of Vereeniging in the same month. The treaty made the Transvaal and the Orange Free State into British republics.The
war lasted for three years until the British finally defeated the Boers and gained control of their republics. 21,144 British troops
and 37,020 Boers died from battle and disease. Many Boers that died were civilians who had been captured and put into
concentration camps. At the end of the war the Boers were given compensation and were promised their own government. The
Union of South Africa was established in 1910.
occurred between October 11, 1899 to May 31,1902. It was fought between the Boer (Dutch inhabitants of the South African
republic and the Orange Free State) and the British. The Boers had formed two republics, the Transvaal and the
Orange Free State. After the discovery of gold and diamonds, which Britain wanted control of in the Transvaal Republic, the Boers
wanted to retain their independence and issued an ultimatum to Britain and declared war against them.Between October 1899
and January 1900 the Boers attacked Cape Colony and Natal.They defeated the British in the towns of Ladysmith, Mafeking, and
Kimberly. When more British reinforcement arrived on February 14, 1900 commanded by Lord Roberts did they lose control.
The British army had the latest military technology, including the Maxim machine gun. The Boers surrendered in May 1902 with
The Treaty of Vereeniging in the same month. The treaty made the Transvaal and the Orange Free State into British republics.The
war lasted for three years until the British finally defeated the Boers and gained control of their republics. 21,144 British troops
and 37,020 Boers died from battle and disease. Many Boers that died were civilians who had been captured and put into
concentration camps. At the end of the war the Boers were given compensation and were promised their own government. The
Union of South Africa was established in 1910.