Boer War

This was the biggest war fought by Britain in Africa (2). They did not realize that the Boers cherished their land and independence, and they would fight with passion and strength to keep their freedom. The war that the British Empire felt would be an easy take over led to a four-year battle.

The British felt that they would easily take over they South African colonies. The Boers had an unconventional way of fighting and their “guerilla warfare hit and run tactics” (2) were not easy for the British army to fight. Although this war is said to be forgotten, the determination of the Boers to keep their freedom can never be forgotten by the British that underestimated them. The British were very wrong by entering the conflict with such an overwhelming confidence. The Boers were people of Dutch, German, or French ancestry that lived in South Africa (World 436). They had to resort to desperate measures because they were not able to handle the “swift-moving, mounted farmers armed with deadly Mauser rifles and bitter determination” (1). They felt that the British should not be able to take supremacy in their colonies, and they refused to be under control of the British King. The Boers were not punished for participating in the war; however, they had to sign a contract of faithfulness to King Edward VII (World 436). After the British began destroying anything that they came into contact with the Boers decided it was in their best interest to sign the peace treaty of Vereeniging on May 31, 1902 (2). It is quoted that they felt this “colonial conflict” would be over and settled in time for them to be “home for Christmas” (2).