The Anglo Boer War

This is the first general history of the concentration camps of the Anglo-Boer or South African War in over fifty years, and the first to use in depth the very rich and extensive official documents in South African and British archives. It provides a fresh perspective on a topic that has understandably aroused huge emotions because of the great numbers of Afrikaners, especially women and children, who died in the camps. This fascinating social history overturns many of the previously held assumptions and conclusions on all sides, and is sure to stimulate debate. Rather than viewing the camps simply as the product of the scorched-earth policies of the war, the author sets them in the larger context of colonialism at the end of the 19th century, arguing that British views on poverty, poor relief and the management of colonial societies all shaped their administration. The book also attempts to explain why the camps were so badly administered in the first place, and why reform was so slow, suggesting that divided responsibility, ignorance, political opportunism and a failure to understand the needs of such institutions all played their part.

The devastating war that raged upon the South African veldt between 1899 and 1902-the first of the 20th century wars-was small in comparison with the World Wars. Yet it remains a war with many revealing facets with regard to military, political, and social issues. The conflict between the British Empire and the Boer settlers was in many ways a precursor to what was to come. It saw vast changes in the organization, tactics, and weapons used by the British army; it had far-reaching effects on the white political structure in the country; and it stimulated Afrikaner nationalism, which may partly explain the introduction of apartheid. The A to Z of the Anglo-Boer War presents the history of this war, which is also known as "the South African War," "the Boer War," and "the Transvaal War." This is done through a chronology, an introductory essay, a bibliography, and over 600 cross-referenced dictionary entries covering a wide range of military, social, cultural, and political topics. Whether reading about black involvement in the war or repatriation and compensation after the war, this reference presents the latest in research on this important conflict.

The Anglo-Boer War was a ‘small war’, but it left an indelible mark on South Africa and its future and represented a watershed in British Imperialism and the Empire. It was an interesting war with all the elements that makes military history intriguing: David against Goliath, amateurs against professionals, heroes and villains, bravery and cowardice, glory and suffering, brilliant victories and humiliating defeats. Introductory Notes: · Essential information required when visiting battle fields or researching campaigns. 3 Coloured Diagrams · The Composition of a British Infantry Division; Anglo-Boer War Rifles; and Artillery. 3 Coloured General Maps · Southern Africa – The seat of the war; The Anglo-Boer War in Global Context. 5 Coloured Battle Maps · The First Republican Offensive; Field Marshal Roberts’ Campaign; The Guerrilla Phase. · The Blockhouse System: The Concentration Camps. 25 Coloured Maps · The Famous Sieges; The ‘Black Week’ Battles and all the Key Battles and Operations of the War. 8 Fact sheets · The Balance Sheet of Forces; The Butcher’s Bill (Casualties); The Concentration Camps. · The Republican Forces; The Commandos; The Rank and Command Structure’ · Notes on Marksmanship. · The British and Imperial Units involved in the War. · The British and Imperial Cemeteries in South Africa.

Based on many years of research with regard to the Anglo-Boer War, this book is essential reading for anyone who would like to know more about the most devastating conflict that has thus far been waged between white people in Southern Africa. However, with due course, this war also involved more and more black, brown and, to some extent, Asian people.

This concise history of the Anglo-Boer War, a prize-winning work which was originally written in Afrikaans, is the ideal book for those who want an overview of the military fortunes of the two warring parties. Now richly provided with maps and illustrations, it is one of the most accurate short histories of this important three-year war. The author, G. D. Scholtz, was a Afrikaner historian of great stature, who saw the Anglo-Boer War as a struggle for liberation, a fight for Boer freedom and independence. His original text has been sensitively translated into English by historian Bridget Theron, who is a lecturer at the University of South Africa. It is an accessible work that may provide echoes to the American wars of independence.

Seminar paper from the year 2006 in the subject History - Africa, grade: 1,3, University of Osnabrück, 9 entries in the bibliography, language: English, abstract: The Boer Wars at the dawn of the century highly influenced not only South African history, especially in terms of the development of the apartheid system, but it additionally changed the possibilities of warfare. These conflicts between the British Empire and the two independent Boer republics, the Orange Free State and the Transvaal (South African Republic) took place from 1880 to 1881 and 1899 to 1902. Even though formally there have been two wars in a short period of time, one usually focuses on the Second Boer War, also known as the South African War, Anglo-Boereoorlog (Anglo-Boer War), Tweede Vryheidsoorlog (Second Freedom War) or "Tea-Time War". This paper will mainly concentrate on the South African War, even though background information will be provided. Historians ought not to ask "What if...?", since they have to focus on facts. But ignoring this guideline for a moment, fascinating questions arise: "What if the large deposits of gold and diamonds in the Transvaal were not found in the 1870s and 1880s? Would the British have fought for the rights of the uitlanders nevertheless?" These are two of the questions which will be dealt with (in 2.1) when reasoning the origins / causes of the war. Following, the paper will bring together the facts and some unusual features of the South African War. Its center of attention will be the Guerilla War starting of in September 1900 and lasting till the Treaty of Vereeniging in May 1902, the end of the War.

The war in South Africa. A narrative of the Anglo-Boer war from the beginning of hostilities to the fall of Pretoria

Using previously unavailable unique archival materials the authors present an absorbing history of a little known, but very significant aspect of the Anglo-Boer War.