Boer Wars

history Boer Wars Boers Dutch/German for 'farmer' Great Britain wins Napoleonic Wars Napoleonic Wars (1799-1815) Napoleon Bonaparte France vs. Europe Battles extensive ... no time to read http://www.britannica.com/event/Napoleonic-Wars "Britain’s ultimate success against Napoleon, like its importance in this period as a whole, owed much to its wealth—its capacity to raise loans through its financial machinery and revenue through the prosperity of its inhabitants and the extent of its trade. But British success also owed much to the power of its navy and to the energy and aggressiveness of its ruling class, which was particularly apparent in the imperial expansion of this period." "Every major war Britain engaged in during this period increased its colonial power. The Seven Years’ War was particularly successful in this respect, and so were the Napoleonic Wars. Between 1793 and 1815 Britain gained 20 colonies ..." "By 1820 the total population of the territories it governed was 200 million, 26 percent of the world’s total population. Not all of these acquisitions were formally directed by London. Captain James Cook’s explorations of Australia and New Zealand after 1770 were in part an exercise in private enterprise and scientific inquiry. Nonetheless, British settlement of Australia at New South Wales began in 1787, in part because the mother country needed another repository for transported convicts previously sent to the North American colonies. The East India Company also retained considerable initiative in its military strategies. In 1819 Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles seized Singapore for the company and not on London’s instructions. But, however acquired, all these acquisitions added to Britain’s power and reputation. It was no accident, perhaps, that its two national anthems, “God Save the King” and “Rule Britannia,” were composed in this period. For the privileged and the rich, this was preeminently an era of confidence and arrogance." Linda J. Colley http://www.britannica.com/place/United-Kingdom/William-Pitt-the-Younger#ref483378 1814: Britain gains ceded Dutch South African territory - Cape Colony -- over 160 years of Dutch influence in South Africa comes to end -- by this time, colonists:     -- Dutch     -- German     -- French -- had evolved to distinct people:  Boers or Afrikaners -- Boers (Dutch/German - 'farmer') -- spoke Taal - 17th Century Dutch -- Taal later became known as 'Afrikaans' -- Boers:  hardy farmers & cattle herders -- independent, resented govt interference -- particular issues re:  Hottentots -- Boers migrated further away from reach of authority before the British -- Boers came into close proximity with Bantu -- near continuous conflict over territory & grazing rights -- British intro policies concerning black populations -- Boers operated under concept that slavery is personal affair -- Boers resented policy that interfered with their affairs -- troubles began when British govt tried to abolish slavery -- & when British govt ordered emancipation of slaves in Cape Colony 1834 -- compensation was to be paid, but what was promised did not materialise -- many slave-owning farmers ruined -- Boers decided to move again, far from British -- mass migration referred to by Boers as the 'Great Trek' -- Boers declare several small republics 1838 -- between Orange & Vaal Rivers -- among those:  Transvaal -- came into conflict with:  Zulu -- conflicts began -- 1854:  Boers independence from British -- with establishment of:  ORANGE FREE STATE -- next 30 years quiet -- 1880:  British influence intolerable -- diamonds & gold discovered in various parts -- led to British annexing of parts of region, 1867 -- despite Boer vehement protests -- problems of the time for Boers:     -- free spirited lifestyle     -- refusal to pay taxes     -- infighting among leaders     -- political anarchy & emasculation of govt     -- tribes amassing on borders for invasion:         -- Bapedi tribe         -- Zulu tribe -- 1877: Britain annexed the Transvaal -- 1879:  Boer open defiance of British authority -- British build fortified garrisons across country to control Boer uprising -- 1880:  Boer attempts to peacefully regain independent status blocked -- Boers proclaimed republic in Transvaal -- Boers attacked British troops who refused to evacuate newly declared republic -- Boer leadership:  SJ Paul Kruger & Petrus (Piet) Jacobus Joubert -- mustered ad hoc force of 7,000 to drive out British -- Dec. 1880 Boer militia ambushes British column on way from -- garrison at Lydenburg to capital:  Pretoria -- Boer Wars ensue http://warfarehistorynetwork.com/daily/military-history/the-start-of-the-boer-wars/ COMMENT The info about the British ascendency during period of various European wars was really interesting.  It looks like this is where the British gain most of their colonies. The list of Napoleonic battles looks really interesting.  Something to check out, when I get around to it during my travels.