In the 1870s, European powers scrambled to colonize Africa, with Britain seeking to establish an unbroken line of territory from north to south. By the late 19th century, Britain had outstripped other nations in its colonial ambitions in Africa but was blocked by two small independent countries. The Boer War broke out between Britain and the Boers and consisted of three phases - initial British setbacks as the Boers launched successful attacks; British victories once reinforcements arrived breaking sieges; and guerrilla warfare by the Boers in response to brutal British tactics like concentration camps where thousands died of disease. In the end, the Boers surrendered in 1902 but the war had become deeply unpopular in Britain due to the bar
In the 1870s, European powers scrambled to colonize Africa, with Britain seeking to establish an unbroken line of territory from north to south. By the late 19th century, Britain had outstripped other nations in its colonial ambitions in Africa but was blocked by two small independent countries. The Boer War broke out between Britain and the Boers and consisted of three phases - initial British setbacks as the Boers launched successful attacks; British victories once reinforcements arrived breaking sieges; and guerrilla warfare by the Boers in response to brutal British tactics like concentration camps where thousands died of disease. In the end, the Boers surrendered in 1902 but the war had become deeply unpopular in Britain due to the bar
In the 1870s, European powers scrambled to colonize Africa, with Britain seeking to establish an unbroken line of territory from north to south. By the late 19th century, Britain had outstripped other nations in its colonial ambitions in Africa but was blocked by two small independent countries. The Boer War broke out between Britain and the Boers and consisted of three phases - initial British setbacks as the Boers launched successful attacks; British victories once reinforcements arrived breaking sieges; and guerrilla warfare by the Boers in response to brutal British tactics like concentration camps where thousands died of disease. In the end, the Boers surrendered in 1902 but the war had become deeply unpopular in Britain due to the bar
In the 1870s, European powers scrambled to colonize Africa, with Britain seeking to establish an unbroken line of territory from north to south. By the late 19th century, Britain had outstripped other nations in its colonial ambitions in Africa but was blocked by two small independent countries. The Boer War broke out between Britain and the Boers and consisted of three phases - initial British setbacks as the Boers launched successful attacks; British victories once reinforcements arrived breaking sieges; and guerrilla warfare by the Boers in response to brutal British tactics like concentration camps where thousands died of disease. In the end, the Boers surrendered in 1902 but the war had become deeply unpopular in Britain due to the bar
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In the 1870s there had been a move by the major European powers to
colonise Africa. Known as the Scramble For Africa.
Britain became involved in this and by the end of the 19th century she had outstripped the other nations. Britains dream was to have a line of unbroken territory that ran from the north to the south of Africa.
NEXT There were two small, independent countries that stopped Britain having an unbroken line
NEXT The war can be broken into three phases; 1) Initial British setbacks, 2) British victories, 3) Guerrilla warfare 1) Initial British setbacks: The Boers quickly launched attacks on British territory and were successful. They surrounded Ladysmith and Mafeking. Also inflicted costly defeats on British such as at Spion Kop
NEXT However, once British reinforcements arrived the tide turned. Britain enjoyed overwhelming superiority in resources and manpower. The sieges of Ladysmith and Mafeking were broken and the Boer Army was defeated in battle. The war became popular at this point. 1900 crushing election victory for the Conservatives
NEXT Realising that they would lose in battle, the Boers resorted to using hit and run tactics against the British, known as Guerrilla Warfare. To combat this the British used a scorched earth policy. This was effective but proved unpopular both at home and abroad. Furthermore, the British invented concentration camps in order to herd civilians and deprive the Boer guerrillas of bases from which to attack.
NEXT Conditions in the camps were terrible.
Poorly organised with a lack of food and medical supplies
Diseases such as typhus and cholera spread rapidly in the camps
killing thousands
Led to a national press campaign exposing the camps. A national
and international scandal with GB being condemned by other countries!!!
NEXT- Political Impact Of War
In 1902 the Boers surrendered to the British Treaty of Vereeniging signed in 1902:
Orange Free State and Transvaal given to Empire but with chance to self govern in future
Britain agrees to pay reparations for damage done to countries
Very little celebration in GB. The war had become deeply
unpopular.
The methods used to gain victory were seen as barbaric and not suited to country like GB. In particular the concentration camps created a scandal which led to much criticism abroad, and shame at home. The British middle classes were appalled and lost faith in the Conservatives.
The war added to the call for social reform at home. Many volunteers for the army were shown to be unsuitable for service due to ill health. Two thirds of them were rejected; e.g.; in Manchester of 11,000 volunteers, 8,000 unfit.
