More Focus on The Boer War
What is The Boer War
The Boer War was the name given to the South African wars of 1880-1 and 1899-1902. For the British they were called the Boer Wars, for the Boers, the War of Independence. For many Afrikaaners today they refer to them as the Anglo-Boer Wars to denote the warring parties. The first Boer War of 1880-1881 has also been named the Transvaal Rebellion, as the Boers of the Transvaal revolted against the British seizure of 1877. Most researches prefer to call the wars the South African War, thereby acknowledging that all South Africans, were affected by the war and that many were participants. The democrats acquired the name 'Boers', the Dutch and Afrikaans word for farmers.
Who were involved, Why were Australians
The Boer Wars were fought between the British and the descendants of the Dutch settlers (Boers) in Africa. As part of the British kingdom, the Australian Colonies offered troops for the war. Australians served in parties raised by the six colonies or, from 1901 the new Australian Commonwealth.
For a variety of reasons many Australians also joined British or South African colonial units in South Africa: some were already there when the war broke out; others either made their own way to the Cape or joined local units after the enlistment in Australia ended.
Around 16,000 Aussies volunteered to fight for Britain against the Dutch-Afrikaner, settlers in South African from 1899 to 1902. It remains Australia's third-worst battle in terms of the wounded.
When the Boer War broke out in 1899, Australia was made up of six colonies that were on the edge of becoming a federation. The war was seen as a chance for Australia to show its commitment to Britain. The first Australian troops sailed in late 1899 and were involved in major action by January 1900.
After Federation in 1901 the new Australian Government sent eight more battalions. In addition to the troops who had already travelled to serve, thousands more, who were already there working it the gold and diamond mines, also signed up to fight in what was the Guerrilla war.
The Boer War saw advances in artillery and medicines but also the use of guerrilla tactics tha destroyed the lives and home homes of citizens. A total of 606 aussies died in the two-and-a-half years in south Africa. Australians at home were generally supported the war, however public interest began to diminish after 1900 as people became aware of civilian casualties.
For a variety of reasons many Australians also joined British or South African colonial units in South Africa: some were already there when the war broke out; others either made their own way to the Cape or joined local units after the enlistment in Australia ended.
Around 16,000 Aussies volunteered to fight for Britain against the Dutch-Afrikaner, settlers in South African from 1899 to 1902. It remains Australia's third-worst battle in terms of the wounded.
When the Boer War broke out in 1899, Australia was made up of six colonies that were on the edge of becoming a federation. The war was seen as a chance for Australia to show its commitment to Britain. The first Australian troops sailed in late 1899 and were involved in major action by January 1900.
After Federation in 1901 the new Australian Government sent eight more battalions. In addition to the troops who had already travelled to serve, thousands more, who were already there working it the gold and diamond mines, also signed up to fight in what was the Guerrilla war.
The Boer War saw advances in artillery and medicines but also the use of guerrilla tactics tha destroyed the lives and home homes of citizens. A total of 606 aussies died in the two-and-a-half years in south Africa. Australians at home were generally supported the war, however public interest began to diminish after 1900 as people became aware of civilian casualties.
Why did The Boer War Occur
Britain took ownership of the Dutch Cape Colony in 1806 during the Napoleonic wars, igniting confrontation from the independence-minded Boers, who disliked the Anglicization of South Africa and Britain's anti-slavery policies. In 1833, the Boers began a migration into African tribal land, where they founded the republics of the Transvaal and Orange Free State. The two new republics lived peacefully with their British neighbours until 1867, when the finding of diamonds and gold in the area mad conflict between the Boer states and the British unavoidable. Minor fighting with Britain began in the 1890s, and in October 1899 full-scale combat resulted.
What was the Outcome
The first Anglo-Boer War resulted in British failure and also cost the British empire around 2 million dollars. The second on the other hand resulted in British victory and Transvaal and the Orange Free state were effectively absorbed into the British kingdom, later joining with the natal and Cape colonies to form South Africa when the country became independent.