What were the causes of the Second Boer War

What were the causes of the Second Boer War 1899-1902?

Background Tensions:

• Existing tension between Boers or Transvaal and Britain – full independence for Transvaal never gained after defeat 1882-4

• Vast diamond fields discovered in Griqualand West 1870. This area was brought up by GB in 1871 even though it had traditionally come under the rule of the Orange Free State – Financial difficulties persuaded the OFS to let GD adopt this area as a colony.

• 1886 Australian Gold Miner George Harrison discovered gold in the Witwaterstrand area of the Transvaal.

• Tension over rights for ‘Uitlanders’. Mines mostly owned by British and German ‘rand millionaires’ (Cecil Rhides was one of them). They were concerned that if their workers did not get rights they would not stay in Transvaal.

• GB’s fear over rapidly expanding wealth of Transvaal following discovery of gold at Witwatersrand (fear of Boers pushing GB out of South Africa, and London losing position at centre of world’s gold trade) lead to the attempted take over in the Jameson Raid 1895. Uitlanders lack of rights used as a pretext. Raid failed – humiliating defeat for GB, who blamed Rhodes although colonial secretary Chamberlain gave ‘secret but full’ support.

How did Individuals play a part?

Rhodes (PM of Cape Colony)

• Encouraged miners in his mines to agitate before the 1985 Jameson raid

Kruger (President of Transvaal)
Empty promise on Uitlander voting rights?

• Convinced by Boer generals that Transvaal could win great victory (comparison to AM War Independence – buying arms from Germany whilst negotiating

Milner
(SA High Commissioner appointed 1897, sent to resolve the situation):

• Fervent imperialist who wanted to “teach those bloody Boers a lesson”

• Whipped up anti-Boer feeling in SA/GB press, agitated the Uitlanders against the Boers and sought support for his anti-Boer campaign amongst Conservative MPs

• (convinced GB’s role as imperial power rested on gaining the upper hand over the Boers)

• “Milner helped stir the pot. He did not supply the ingredients” (Cain and Hopkins) not intending to go to war – thought Kruger would back down. GB govt no prep for war.

Chamberlain:

• GB colonial secretary 1895-1903

• Cynically planned the war and Milner was his willing tool?

• Encouraged the City of London to deny Transvaal loans

• Appointed the fervent imperialist Milner to SA High Commissioner when really the situation needed calming

• Told Kruger that the first Boer was had not restored full independence over domestic policy  to the Transvaal

OR was he reluctantly supporting Milner? Did not want to go to war for it, and did not want voting rights for Uitlanders. Wanted things sorted but short of war

The Road to War

• Kruger and Milner failed meeting 1899: Milner rejects K’s offer of full Uitlander citizenship in 7years in return for GB guarantee for future Transvaal independence. Kruger “It is our country you want”

• Autumn 1899 – most of press and GB govt came round to Milner’s idea that Boers needed teaching a lesson. Troops sent and Boers had choice to give in or fight; they chose to fight!

• October – Kruger telegram. Ordered GB troops to leave boarder or he would declare war. GB didn’t even reply and so Boers attacked – much to GB’s surprise. Salisbury pleased that he no longer had to justify war to GB public! Still, complacency: “it’ll be over by Christmas!”

Historiography:

• Traditional interpretations claimed GB govt in pockets of mine owners

• More recent revisions argue broader political, strategic and economic aims

Judgements:

Long term economic issues provided a backdrop to increasing tension on both sides, which was then stirred by several ‘hot heads’ who had a vision of Britain’s imperial power and could not stand for it to be challenged by the Transvaal. Even so, they would have preferred to proceed without war, and it was Kruger’s stubbornness (opportunism of his military commanders?!) in the face of Britain’s bullying, which finally brought the two sides into conflict. GB might have been saved from endless ‘bullying’ or by decisive war?

What Happened to the Boer Republics after the war?

• Boers surrendered May 1902: Peace of Vereeniging

• Treaty reflected Britain’s tacit acknowledgement that war had been a blunder:

• Offered compensation to Boers for war damage (63,000 claims put in)
• Gave loans for re-building (£3,000,000)      
• GB pledged to restore free elections and self government asap

• OFS and Transvaal lost their independence, and now became part of British Empire with Cape Colony and Natal

• GB promised Transvaal and OFS free elections and a measure of self government which they achieved in 1906/7

• All four areas became the Union of South Africa 1910 which was a ‘self governing dominion’ of the British Empire. Their separate parliaments were abolished and representatives sat instead in the SA Parliament, elected mostly by the white majority

Liberal MPs – want to spend money on social issues e.g. reforms
Too much time spent on war, not enough on individual rights
War is too costly

Conservative MPs – Lord Salisbury – take the back step until needed
Still believed in Empire but outraged at why troops became so  poorly trained

British Army - probably have image tarnished
Use to looking strong and powerful
Want more money