South Africa is located in the Southern portion of Africa. It is bordered on the north by Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. On the north east, it is bordered by Mozambique and Swaziland and it is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean in the South. The republic of South Africa achieved independence first in 1934 from the British and then in 1990 from white minority rule. Before then, the region was 'invaded' by Europeans starting with the Dutch in 1625 and joined later by British in the 18th century.
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| Map of South Africa. |
The British did not settle in South Africa earlier because they initially decided against establishment of a colony at the Cape of Good Hope (in the Southern portion of Africa), The Dutch however realized the strategic and economic importance of the Cape. Hence setting up their first settlement in April 1652. Later in 1795, British ships landed at the Cape, annexing the colony to the United Kingdom.
The Boers are the descendants of Dutch traders who settled first at the Cape of Good Hope and later expanded their territory both northwards and eastwards. The first Dutch traders to settle at the Cape of Good Hope were members of the Dutch-East India Trading company and were led by Jan Van Riebeeck. As the settlement flourished, more sailors anchored here for milk and other necessities. Later Dutch settlers and immigrants from Europe also arrived.The Boers eventually created two Boer republics-the Orange Free State and the South African Republic (Transvaal).
The Boer war was fought between the British colonialist in the Southern portion of Africa and the Boers of South Africa.The war was not the only war fought by the British in South Africa and neither was it the only war fought between the British and the Boers in South Africa. The British fought wars with some of the natives of South Africa such as the Zulus in the Anglo-Zulu war in 1879. The British also fought two major war with the Boers. The first Anglo-Boer war was fought between 1880-1881.
The second war between the British and the Boers popularly called the Boer has been described by some as the 'bloodiest war' ever fought on South African soil. The war began on 12th October, 1899 and lasted untill 31st May, 1902.The war which lasted two and a half years ended with the signing of the of Vereeniging peace treaty.