The Boer War occupies an important place in the history of South Africa. Two Boer wars have been fought in South Africa between the Boers, the Dutch farming community and the British.
The Boer War is also known as the
Anglo Boer War.
First Boer War:
- The First Boer War fought in the year 1881 in the north of Natal.
- The British army comprised of 1,200 soldiers who took up arms against 3000 Boers.
- The British army included Royal Navy, Mounted Infantry and Royal Artillery.
- With the discovery of diamonds and gold in Transvaal, the British sought to take hold of this region. The Boers reacted by revolting against the British, which culminated in the First Boer War.
- The Boers emerged victorious in this war.
Second Boer War:
- The second Boer War occurred between 1899 and 1902.
- The second Boer war is also known as the South African War.
- The two Boer states fought against the British.
- The invasion of Natal Colony and Cape Colony by the Boers broke the second Boer War.
- Black Week is term used to describe the week between 10 to 15 December, as the British suffered major set backs.
- With the beginning of the 1900s the British army counterattacked under the aegis of Field Marshall Lord Roberts.
- Finally, the British emerged victorious in The Boer War.
The Boer War saw the two independent Boer states succumb to the powers of the mighty British Empire.
