The Boer War: How It Began, What Happened, and How It Ended

 

The Boer War, also known as the South African War, was a fierce and defining conflict fought between the British Empire and the two Boer republics — the South African Republic (Transvaal) and the Orange Free State. It took place from 1899 to 1902 and reshaped the political future of South Africa.

How It Started

The roots of the Boer War stretch back decades before the first gunshot was fired. The Boers were descendants of Dutch settlers who had moved inland during the 1830s and 1840s in what was known as the Great Trek. They established independent republics to escape British control in the Cape Colony

Tension between the British and the Boers grew over political authority, land, and economic power. The discovery of diamonds in Kimberley in 1867 and gold in the Transvaal in 1886 changed everything. Gold attracted thousands of foreign workers, mostly British, known as “Uitlanders.” The British government wanted political rights and influence in the Boer territories, partly to control the rich gold mines.

The Boers feared losing their independence. Diplomatic negotiations failed. On 11 October 1899, war officially broke out after the Boers issued an ultimatum demanding that British troops withdraw from their borders. Britain refused.

What Happened During the War

The war unfolded in three major phases.

1. Early Boer Success (1899–1900)

At the beginning, the Boers had the advantage. They were skilled horsemen and excellent marksmen. They laid siege to British-held towns such as Ladysmith, Mafeking, and Kimberley. The British army suffered humiliating defeats in what became known as “Black Week” in December 1899.

2. British Counter-Offensive (1900)

The British responded by sending massive reinforcements under experienced commanders like Lord Roberts and Lord Kitchener. By mid-1900, British forces had captured Bloemfontein, Johannesburg, and Pretoria. The Boer capitals fell, and Britain declared the republics annexed.

However, the war was far from over.

3. Guerrilla Warfare (1900–1902)

The Boers shifted to guerrilla tactics, launching surprise attacks and sabotaging British supply lines. This phase frustrated the British army.

In response, Britain adopted harsh measures. Farms were burned to deny supplies to Boer fighters. Thousands of women and children were placed in concentration camps under terrible conditions. Disease and malnutrition killed many, especially children. These camps shocked the world and remain one of the darkest chapters of the war.

How It Ended

After nearly three years of exhausting conflict, the Boer fighters were weakened by loss of resources, destroyed farms, and civilian suffering. Peace negotiations began.

On 31 May 1902, the Treaty of Vereeniging was signed. The Boer republics accepted British sovereignty, ending their independence. However, Britain promised financial assistance to rebuild the devastated areas and later allowed self-government.

In 1910, the Union of South Africa was formed, uniting the former British colonies and Boer republics under one government within the British Empire.

Conclusion

The Boer War was not just a battle for land; it was a struggle over power, identity, and control of wealth. It exposed the brutality of modern warfare and marked the decline of small independent republics in the face of imperial ambition.

In my opinion, the war shows how greed for resources often fuels conflict, leaving ordinary people — especially women and children — to suffer the most. Its impact shaped South Africa’s political structure for decades and influenced later struggles that defined the nation’s history.

The Boer War remains a powerful reminder that the consequences of war stretch far beyond the battlefield.