Second Boer War
A war fought in southern Africa from 1899 to 1902 between the British Empire and the Boer republics of Transvaal and the Orange Free State.
Jameson Raid: An 1895–1896 failed raid by British colonial forces into the South African Republic, intended to provoke an uprising. Its failure intensified tensions between Britain and the Transvaal before war began.
South African Republic: A Boer republic, also known as the Transvaal, that existed in southern Africa from 1852 to 1902. Britain’s conflict with this republic formed the war’s principal political and military struggle.
Paul Kruger: A Boer political leader who served as president of the South African Republic from 1883 to 1900. Kruger led the Transvaal government whose conflict with Britain escalated into war.
Treaty of Vereeniging: The 1902 peace agreement that ended the Second Boer War and brought the Boer republics under British sovereignty. Its terms ended fighting while promising eventual self-government to the defeated republics.
Siege of Mafeking: A 217-day siege of a British garrison town in South Africa, lasting from October 1899 to May 1900. The siege shows how isolated garrisons became focal points during the war’s opening phase.
Orange Free State: A Boer republic in southern Africa that existed from 1854 until its annexation by Britain in 1900. It joined the Transvaal against Britain and became a major theater of fighting.
Lord Roberts: A British field marshal who commanded British forces in the Second Boer War from 1900 to 1901. His command oversaw the capture of Bloemfontein, Johannesburg, and Pretoria.
Union of South Africa: A self-governing dominion formed in 1910 by uniting the Cape, Natal, Transvaal, and Orange River colonies. The postwar political settlement helped clear the way for the former Boer republics’ union with British colonies.
Battle of Spion Kop: An 1900 battle in which British forces failed to seize a hill overlooking the Tugela River during an attempt to relieve Ladysmith. The costly defeat illustrates the difficulty of breaking Boer positions during the British advance.
Uitlanders: Foreign-born residents, especially British immigrants, who settled in the South African Republic during its mining boom. Disputes over their political rights supplied Britain with a stated grievance against the Transvaal government.