Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/2-5-3-challenges-in-south-africa

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# Challenges in South Africa

History: AQA A Level The British Empire, topic 2.5.3

## Causes of the Second Boer War

The Second Boer War lasted for three years between 1899 and 1902. The war was caused by tensions between the Boer and British settlers in southern Africa.

### Role of Rhodes

![Role of Rhodes](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-04/63d361aa-d16d-4c48-8933-52060c6df155/rhodes.jpg)

- Rhodes drove British expansionism in southern Africa.
- Rhodes had a strange relationship with different groups in Africa and had earlier been elected to represent a Boer-dominated community in Africa. 
- He sought to create a South African Federation, which alienated the Boer communities.
- Rhodes also had a personal rivalry with Paul Kruger, President of the Transvaal (a Boer).

### Economic motives

![Economic motives](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/chemistry/6.1.1%20Calculating%20rates%20of%20reactions/6.1.1_profit-min.jpg)

- In 1886, the discovery of gold on the Rand in the Transvaal encouraged Britain's private chartered companies to seize control of the region. 
- After the defeat at the hands of the Boers in 1881, the British were forced to sign the Convention of Pretoria in 1881 and the Convention of London in 1884. The British and Boers disputed the terms of the peace (thus why two different conventions were signed). As of 1881, the Transvaal was independent again, although the exact details were disputed. 
- This ambiguity was helpful for claims to the Transvaal's economic resources.

### Uitlanders

![Uitlanders](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-04/4dd3ec60-481d-48fc-a32d-b621405e6e27/uitlander.png)

- The voting rights of Uitlanders (Boer for 'outsider') in the Transvaal caused tensions.
 - Uitlanders were denied the vote unless they were over 40 or had lived in the Transvaal for over 14 years.
- There were over 50,000 British Uitlanders living in the Transvaal, leading to tension between the Brits and the Boers.

### Role of Milner

![Role of Milner](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-04/ddbe8b30-32b1-42de-9105-9d9d8f26e306/milner.jpg)

- Milner, the High Commissioner of southern Africa from 1897, pursued a vigorous and expansionary policy. 
- This alienated the Boers.

### Trigger for war

![Trigger for war](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/570c9df8-098e-4774-9c33-e8703d273660/tank-war-battle.jpg)

- In 1899, the British and Boer settlers met at the Bloemfontein Conference.
 - Kruger refused to grant voting rights to the Uitlanders. In response, the British mobilised for war.
 - Kruger issued an ultimatum for Britain to stand down, however, the British did not acquiesce.
 - This led to the outbreak of war.

### Historical interpretations

![Historical interpretations](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-04/01a4f99f-9fcc-4b34-8592-30619503b1ed/library-book-emboss-.jpg)

- Historian Van Jaarseveld (1975) argues that British motives were twofold – remove the threat of Afrikaner nationalism and gain access to the gold mines. Sees the Boers’ actions as preventative. 
- Historian Cammack (1990) argues that the roots of the war are found in Rand’s social and political instability – the labour unrest, prostitution, alcoholism and high unemployment.
- John A Hobson (1902) saw the war as a ‘capitalist plot’ by British mine-owners to secure access to the mines, clouded in a false cover of political justice about voting rights.

## Consequences of the Second Boer War

The Boer War exposed the limits of the British Empire and the British Army. Despite Britain's eventual victory, their poor performance led to serious questions being asked of the Empire.

### The cost of war

![The cost of war](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/c63454e6-199d-4c50-8af4-e3d2da6238bb/money-coins.jpg)

- Britain's victory in 1902 came at an incredible cost.
 - Kitchener had to pursue a scorched earth policy to defeat the Boers. 
 - The British established concentration camps during the Boer War. Many Boers and black Africans died from disease and malnutrition.
 - 16,000 British soldiers died from diseases (this was three times more than from enemy fire) and 1/3 of British recruits to the war effort were found to be unfit for war because of conditions like malnutrition.

### Criticism of the British Empire during the war

![Criticism of the British Empire during the war](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-01/35dcca53-c058-47a7-ad0b-1d251d71ee78/scold-hand-finger-point-.png)

- The Empire was criticised by figures such as Emily Hobhouse and John A. Hobson.
- Thousands of children died in poorly and cruelly administered British concentration camps for 'refugees'.

### Exposed shortcomings of the Empire

![Exposed shortcomings of the Empire](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/biology/6.3.1%20The%20theory%20of%20evolution/question-mark-2123967_640%20-%20Edited-min%20(1).jpg)

- Although the Boers did surrender, the resounding feeling was one of British moral and military shortcoming:
 - The war shook Britain's confidence. The war lasted for three years, using 400,000 troops and costing £230 million.
 - 22,000 British troops were killed vs. 6,000 Boers.
- National pride was damaged because of the woeful state of the health of the British citizens who fought for Britain in the war.

### The Treaty of Vereeniging, 1902

![The Treaty of Vereeniging, 1902](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/4fb8f088-a39d-4d9f-832d-5d3654f137d4/treaty-paper-definition-.jpg)

- The Treaty of Vereeniging settled the Second Boer War.
 - The Boers were granted £3 million in compensation.
 - British and Boer colonies were integrated.
 - The Transvaal became a self-governing colony in 1906.
 - The Orange River Colony became a self-governing colony in 1907.
 - In 1910, Cape Colony, the Transvaal, Orange River Colony and Natal voted to establish a Union of South Africa and for it to be an independent Dominion.

### The Union of South Africa

![The Union of South Africa](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/7a84a14c-925d-4f69-86b8-a2353446109e/racism-sign.jpg)

- Kitchen (1996) states ‘The New Union was deplorably racist’ and only people of European descent were allowed in parliament. 
- According to Kitchen (1996), ‘South Africa was a constant reminder that the British Empire was held together by expediency and compromise, not by principles’.

## Test yourself on Challenges in South Africa

- Which of these are true of Rhodes?
- What was agreed at the Treaty of Vereeniging?
- How did the Second Boer War strain the British Empire?

[Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/4dd48474-7381-4a8b-8d47-f52ec6b25dfd/section/834b3d02-69f2-4a49-bec1-6f10fa63b637/session)

- Previous topic: [2.5.2 Challenges in Africa](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/2-5-2-challenges-in-africa.md)
- Next topic: [2.5.4 Historical Interpretations of the Boer War](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/2-5-4-historical-interpretations-of-the-boer-war.md)

## History: AQA A Level The British Empire contents

### 1 High Water Mark of the British Empire, 1857-1914
- 1.1 Development of Imperialism, 1857-1890
  - [1.1.1 Empires over Time](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/1-1-1-empires-over-time.md)
  - [1.1.2 Key Questions About Empires](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/1-1-2-key-questions-about-empires.md)
  - [1.1.3 Expansion into Africa](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/1-1-3-expansion-into-africa.md)
  - [1.1.4 History of Egypt](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/1-1-4-history-of-egypt.md)
  - [1.1.5 Control of Egypt](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/1-1-5-control-of-egypt.md)
  - [1.1.6 Control of Sudan](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/1-1-6-control-of-sudan.md)
- 1.2 Imperial & Colonial Policy, 1857-1890
  - [1.2.1 The British Empire & India](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/1-2-1-the-british-empire-and-india.md)
  - [1.2.2 The British Raj](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/1-2-2-the-british-raj.md)
  - [1.2.3 International Relations with other Powers](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/1-2-3-international-relations-with-other-powers.md)
  - [1.2.4 Scramble for Africa](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/1-2-4-scramble-for-africa.md)
  - [1.2.5 The Informal Empire](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/1-2-5-the-informal-empire.md)
- 1.3 Trade & Commerce, 1857-1890
  - [1.3.1 Trade & Commerce in the Empire](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/1-3-1-trade-and-commerce-in-the-empire.md)
  - [1.3.2 Infrastructure of Trade & Commerce](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/1-3-2-infrastructure-of-trade-and-commerce.md)
  - [1.3.3 Products of Trade & Commerce](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/1-3-3-products-of-trade-and-commerce.md)
- 1.4 Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1857-1890
  - [1.4.1 Explorers](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/1-4-1-explorers.md)
  - [1.4.2 Missionaries](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/1-4-2-missionaries.md)
  - [1.4.3 Traders & Colonial Administrators](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/1-4-3-traders-and-colonial-administrators.md)
  - [1.4.4 Government Attitudes Towards Imperialism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/1-4-4-government-attitudes-towards-imperialism.md)
- 1.5 Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1857-1890
  - [1.5.1 Relations with India](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/1-5-1-relations-with-india.md)
  - [1.5.2 Relations with South Africa](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/1-5-2-relations-with-south-africa.md)
  - [1.5.3 British-Boer Relations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/1-5-3-british-boer-relations.md)

### 2 Imperial Consolidation & Liberal Rule, 1890-1914
- 2.1 Consolidation & Expansion in Africa, 1890-1914
  - [2.1.1 Consolidation & Expansion into Africa](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/2-1-1-consolidation-and-expansion-into-africa.md)
  - [2.1.2 Consolidation & Expansion in South Africa](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/2-1-2-consolidation-and-expansion-in-south-africa.md)
  - [2.1.3 Historical Interpretations: Expansion into Africa](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/2-1-3-historical-interpretations-expansion-into-africa.md)
- 2.2 Imperial & Colonial Policy, 1890-1914
  - [2.2.1 Policy in India](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/2-2-1-policy-in-india.md)
  - [2.2.2 Policy in Egypt](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/2-2-2-policy-in-egypt.md)
  - [2.2.3 Native Policy in Colonies](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/2-2-3-native-policy-in-colonies.md)
  - [2.2.4 International Relations with Other Powers](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/2-2-4-international-relations-with-other-powers.md)
- 2.3 Trade & Commerce, 1890-1914
  - [2.3.1 The Benefits of Trade](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/2-3-1-the-benefits-of-trade.md)
  - [2.3.2 Costs of the Empire](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/2-3-2-costs-of-the-empire.md)
  - [2.3.3 Debates Over Trade](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/2-3-3-debates-over-trade.md)
- 2.4 Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1890-1914
  - [2.4.1 Key Administrators - Chamberlain & Rhodes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/2-4-1-key-administrators-chamberlain-and-rhodes.md)
  - [2.4.2 Key Administrators - Baring & Milner](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/2-4-2-key-administrators-baring-and-milner.md)
  - [2.4.3 Key Administrators - Curzon](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/2-4-3-key-administrators-curzon.md)
  - [2.4.4 Government Attitudes to the Empire](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/2-4-4-government-attitudes-to-the-empire.md)
  - [2.4.5 National Efficiency & the Boer War](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/2-4-5-national-efficiency-and-the-boer-war.md)
  - [2.4.6 Popular Attitudes Towards Imperialism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/2-4-6-popular-attitudes-towards-imperialism.md)
- 2.5 Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1890-1914
  - [2.5.1 Challenges in India](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/2-5-1-challenges-in-india.md)
  - [2.5.2 Challenges in Africa](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/2-5-2-challenges-in-africa.md)
  - [2.5.3 Challenges in South Africa](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/2-5-3-challenges-in-south-africa.md)
  - [2.5.4 Historical Interpretations of the Boer War](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/2-5-4-historical-interpretations-of-the-boer-war.md)
  - [2.5.5 Relations & Business with Iran](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/2-5-5-relations-and-business-with-iran.md)

### 3 Imperialism Challenged, 1914-1967
- 3.1 Expansion & Contraction of Empire, 1914-1947
  - [3.1.1 Impact of WW1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/3-1-1-impact-of-ww1.md)
  - [3.1.2 Palestine](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/3-1-2-palestine.md)
  - [3.1.3 Ireland & WW1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/3-1-3-ireland-and-ww1.md)
  - [3.1.4 Impact of WW2 on the British Empire](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/3-1-4-impact-of-ww2-on-the-british-empire.md)
- 3.2 Colonial Policy & Administration, 1914-1947
  - [3.2.1 Administration in India & Palestine](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/3-2-1-administration-in-india-and-palestine.md)
  - [3.2.2 Administration in Iraq & the Dominions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/3-2-2-administration-in-iraq-and-the-dominions.md)
  - [3.2.3 Imperial Defence](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/3-2-3-imperial-defence.md)
- 3.3 Trade, Commerce & Economic Impact of War
  - [3.3.1 Economic Impact of WW1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/3-3-1-economic-impact-of-ww1.md)
  - [3.3.2 Inter-War Trade & Commerce](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/3-3-2-inter-war-trade-and-commerce.md)
  - [3.3.3 Economic Impact of WW2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/3-3-3-economic-impact-of-ww2.md)
- 3.4 Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1890-1914
  - [3.4.1 Colonial Administrators](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/3-4-1-colonial-administrators.md)
  - [3.4.2 Trusteeship](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/3-4-2-trusteeship.md)
  - [3.4.3 Gandhi](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/3-4-3-gandhi.md)
  - [3.4.4 Montagu, Haig & Linlithgow](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/3-4-4-montagu-haig-and-linlithgow.md)
  - [3.4.5 Cameron, Mitchell, Cohen & Furse - African Admins](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/3-4-5-cameron-mitchell-cohen-and-furse-african-admins.md)
  - [3.4.6 Imperialist Ideals](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/3-4-6-imperialist-ideals.md)
- 3.5 Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1914-1947
  - [3.5.1 Ireland & India 1914-1947](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/3-5-1-ireland-and-india-1914-1947.md)
  - [3.5.2 The Middle East and Africa](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/3-5-2-the-middle-east-and-africa.md)

### 4 The Wind of Change, 1947-1967
- 4.1 Decolonisation in Africa & Asia, 1947-1967
  - [4.1.1 Reasons for Decolonisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/4-1-1-reasons-for-decolonisation.md)
  - [4.1.2 Decolonisation in East & West Africa](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/4-1-2-decolonisation-in-east-and-west-africa.md)
  - [4.1.3 Decolonisation in Central & South Africa](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/4-1-3-decolonisation-in-central-and-south-africa.md)
  - [4.1.4 Decolonisation in Asia](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/4-1-4-decolonisation-in-asia.md)
- 4.2 Colonial Policy & Administration, 1947-1967
  - [4.2.1 Relations & Business with Iran after WW2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/4-2-1-relations-and-business-with-iran-after-ww2.md)
  - [4.2.2 The 'Winds of Change'](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/4-2-2-the-winds-of-change.md)
  - [4.2.3 The Suez Canal Crisis - 1956](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/4-2-3-the-suez-canal-crisis-1956.md)
  - [4.2.4 International Relations 1947-1967](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/4-2-4-international-relations-1947-1967.md)
- 4.3 Trade & Commerce, 1947-1967
  - [4.3.1 The Economic Impact of WW2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/4-3-1-the-economic-impact-of-ww2.md)
- 4.4 Attitudes Towards the Empire, 1947-1967
  - [4.4.1 Colonial Administrators: Cohen & Arden-Clarke](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/4-4-1-colonial-administrators-cohen-and-arden-clarke.md)
  - [4.4.2 Local Leaders in the Independence Movement](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/4-4-2-local-leaders-in-the-independence-movement.md)
  - [4.4.3 Pan-Africanism in Nationalism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/4-4-3-pan-africanism-in-nationalism.md)
- 4.5 Post-Colonial Ties, 1947-1967
  - [4.5.1 Windrush & Immigration](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/4-5-1-windrush-and-immigration.md)
  - [4.5.2 Commonwealth Immigrants Act](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/4-5-2-commonwealth-immigrants-act.md)
  - [4.5.3 Residual Impact of the Empire](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/4-5-3-residual-impact-of-the-empire.md)
- 4.6 Relations with Indigenous Peoples, 1947-1967
  - [4.6.1 Challenges to Colonial Rule Post 1947](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/4-6-1-challenges-to-colonial-rule-post-1947.md)
  - [4.6.2 Kenya & the Mau Mau Uprising](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/4-6-2-kenya-and-the-mau-mau-uprising.md)
  - [4.6.3 Nigeria & Rhodesia](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/history/aqa/4-6-3-nigeria-and-rhodesia.md)