The+Second+Boers+War

Since the early 1500’s when Britain claimed South Africa as its own, the two communities have had issues. In the late 1800’s, tension rose extremely high and a risk for a Second Boer War arose. In fall of 1899, the Boers and Afrikaaners presented a Transvaal Ultimatum to the British. This Ultimatum demanded that all issues be settled, British troops on the borders be removed, and troops bound for South Africa by ship should not disembark. After the British rejected this plan, the Boers and Afrikaaners declared war to what is known today as the Second Boers War.

Within the first five months of the war, the Boers side scored great victories on the field. They were able to seize three of Britain’s most important bases; Ladysmith in Natal, Kimberly, and Makefing. However, the Boers did not know that in late February 1900, the British would come and fight back hard. One of the most drastic losses was at Ladysmith where they had to surrender nearly 4,000 men.

The next six months were a great time of confusion for the Boers. Between March and September they had only scored two victories on the field. Although the Boers kept losing, this did not stop them. They wanted their independence, and they would fight for it. The General Commander ordered men to try something new, secret attacks. These attacks were made at night or when the British were resting. They were known as Boer Bitter-Enders because they made their deadly move and disappeared as quick as the wind. These attacks were the only tactic that was keeping them in the war. When the Boers began to do these attacks, it harmed many Britishcivilians and they did not like that. Britain then began to attack South African farms and people.

Concentration camps were set up to all of the women and children in the area. Britain did an outstanding job at supplying food and shelter while the Boers had unsanitary meat, conditions, and medical equipment. Eventually, 28,000 women and children died. Word had got out about this and it let down the military’s hopes drastically. At the same time this was happening, black communities drove the Boers and their families from their land both to push for peace and because they could not fight in the war. Finally on May 31, 1902, the Boers surrendered to the British. They realized that they could not fight because of the lack of men they had and physical threats from Africans. As a result of the Boers surrendering, the Treaty of Vereeniging was created. This treaty called for the two republics to no longer be a power and the land to return under British command.

The Second Boer War had a great impact on British tactics leading up to World War I. The war had shown that prior methods of warfare could not match up to machine guns, tear gas, and more. Therefore, in WWI, Britain used much harsher weaponry to pursue Germany.