Boer War, South Africa 1899-1902: A Summary
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Published 2022-06-20
Also known as the second Boer War, the Anglo-Boer War and the South Africa War.
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Despite their numerical disadvantage the Boers delivered a series of devastating defeats on the British, especially at Spion Kop and during Black Week when they defeated the British 3 times in 5 days at the battles of Magersfontein, Stormberg and Colenso.
Eventually the British were to send an army of 450,000 to defeat the Boers and the President of the Boer Transvaal, Paul Kruger, fled into exile.
The Boers, however, conducted a guerrilla war for nearly two years.
The British under General Herbert Kitchener, adopted a scorched earth policy against the Boers, burning farms and crops and killing livestock, in an effort to deprive them of supplies.
Most controversially, they placed Boer civilians in camps - which were named Concentration Camps.
Limited food rations, insanitary conditions, sparse medical care and indifferent management contributed to death rates that at one stage were running at 34%.
A massive international outcry resulted into a new and improved regime in the camps but the damage was done.
In May 1902 the Boers signed a peace treaty at Vereeniging.
Within 5 years both former republics had achieved self government, and in 1910 they joined the British colonies of the Cape and Natal to form a new country - South Africa.The first Prime Minister of this new country, was the former Boer general, Louis Botha.
He was succeeded by another former commando leader, Jan Smuts.
The British were to lose over 20,000 troops - 8,000 killed by the Boers and 14,000 to disease.
The Boer war cost the government over £200m in the money of the day.
It had taken an army of 450,000 (four times the size of the British Army sent to the Crimean War) to suppress the Boer Army of about 50,000.
The Boers lost 6,000 killed in action but it was the human cost of the concentration camps that they would remember. 26,000 of their women and children died.
That resentment would give rise to the National Party and when they came to power in 1948, the establishment of Apartheid.
The Anglo-Boer War presents us with a plethora of characters who found their way into history:
Future South African Prime Ministers (Louis Botha and Jan Smuts), the British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill (who was captured and escaped from the Boers), Sherlock Holmes creator (Arthur Conan Doyle), the founder of the Boy Scouts (Robert Baden-Powell) and Mahatma Ghandi.
Boer generals like Christiaan de Wet and Koos de la Rey.
Emily Hobhouse the British anti-war campaigner who exposed the conditions in the concentration camps.
Chapters:
0:00 The Boer War
2:28 The Boers
3:35 Uitlanders
6:34 War begins
9:30 Black Week
12:00 Marching to Pretoria
15:42 Boer Commandos
18:05 Concentration Camps
21:55 Britain loses Peace
26:18 The History Chap
#boerwar #secondboerwar #theanglo-boerwar#militaryhistory #britishempire
#robertbadenpowell #jansmuts #louisbotha
#winstonchurchill #emilyhobhouse
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My name is Chris Green ("The History Chap") and I am on a mission to share the amazing history of Britain so that we can appreciate where we have come from and why we are here.
History should not be stuffy or a long list of dates or kings & queens.
So rather than lectures or Youtube animations, I tell stories that bring the past to life.
Just for the record, I do have a history degree and continue to have a passion for the subject I studied.
Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Chris Green Communication Ltd t/a The History Chap. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Chris Green Communication Ltd does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.
Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Chris Green Communication Ltd t/a The History Chap. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Chris Green Communication Ltd does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.
All Comments (21)
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I'm a 75 year old South African living in New Zealand for 22 years. I have just recommended your history program to my children for them to listen to. You have done an excellent job of research.
The younger generation of South Africans know basically nothing of this history. I am very pleased you made a strong mention of the long forgotten, Concentration Camps.
I also well remember an elderly Boer Lady telling me how they had to bury their precious polished dining room table in the earth on their farm, to prevent the British from destroying it.
The Boer Lady who told this account to me is long ago passed on.
Thank you for your good work. Erich, now living in New Zealand. -
The glint of gold and the sparkle of the diamond in the eye brings out the blackness in the heart.
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Baie dankie, ons waardeer die waarheid
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Thank you for a very well balanced exposition on the Anglo Boer war. I am the grandson of a British born grandfather who as a young boy was at the siege of Potchefstroom he fought fought for the Transvaal Republic captured while protecting Paul Kruger who was fleeing to Mozambique. After my G/f capture he was sent to Tuckers Island.
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As an American I'd heard of the Boer War but as a child I couldn't find much about it. Thanks so much for your many episodes of this time in history, I now understand what this was all about. Much continued success with your work, I just finished watching the episode describing Thomas Jones' exploits in WW I. Thanks again
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Thanks for another great history lesson! I’ve joined your channel recently and now watch a video every night, I must say these are fascinating retellings of historical events. I’ve really enjoyed learning about the British empires exploits from the Crimean war to the boar war, keep posting and thanks for all your hard work and endeavour 👏
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...and as a Brit now living in South Africa, I can honestly say that this is the best account of the Boer War that I have ever seen..well done!
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It lead to the end of "Splendid Isolation". Much of the World outside of the Empire supported the Boers. Fun fact, Winston Churchill was captured by Italian Mercenaries. He kept that quiet.
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A black week for the British army, followed by a dark cloud for allowing so many deaths in those camps. Thanks for sharing.
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Randomly found your channel, have been binge watching for the past few days. very informative and entertaining. I've learnt much about many forgotten wars and battles, many thanks.
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Great summary , my great grandfather served in the Worcestershire Yeomanry in the Boer war and my home of Worcester has many links to that conflict and South Africa, so I always find this topic interesting. Thanks for posting!
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A cracking yarn Chris, a story that fascinated me from childhood, my dear Dad took a job in SA, early 70's and I was sent to school near Jo'burg, on a school excursion we got off the bus to explore one of those Kitchener block houses, well i was hooked. Back home an elderly Boer woman sensing my interest gave me a book i can no longer recall the title, that seemed to ooze dust and khaki and the boer war has held fascination since. I hope to visit SA next year to see some of the sites mentioned in your vlog. huzzah for the history chap !! 'pip pip hooray '!!
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War never changes. Even the winners of the war loose. Thank you for a good to the point summary.
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Thanks for bringing this forgotten war to my attention. Wonderful video - wish I could like it twice!
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Another fantastic video Chris. Delivered in your usual expert, eloquent, style.
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I've watched the whole set of episodes now for a second and third time. Simply the "smoothest" history lessons. I've commented to you before, and I'll say it again. Fantastic narration, fantastic story, and fantastic classic approach to the art of Boer War history. I completely acclaim, you are the epitome of quality historical stories and scenes. Well done sir. I wish we were close by, for I would love to buy you a drink and enjoy your fabulous stories. Cheers my friend! 😊
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Another great episode Chris. I really enjoy the information and especially your enthusiastic storytelling. Interesting and exciting at the same time, it draws the viewer in 100%.
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Yes I’ve been waiting for this one
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Great video today thanks Chris and I'm looking forward to seeing more of your stuff on this
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Thoroughly enjoyed, thank you again work!!!!
