South Africa: The boer war part 1of 5

The Boer Wars was the name given to the South African Wars of 18801 and 18991902, that were fought between the British and the descendants of the Dutch settlers (Boers) in Africa. After the first Boer War William Gladstone granted the Boers selfgovernment in the Transvaal. The Boers, under the leadership of Paul Kruger, resented the colonial policy of Joseph Chamberlain and Alfred Milner which they feared would deprive the Transvaal of its independence. After receiving military equipment from Germany, the Boers had a series of successes on the borders of Cape Colony and Natal between October 1899 and January 1900. Although the Boers only had 88, 000 soldiers, led by the outstanding soldiers such as Louis Botha, and Jan Smuts, the Boers were able to successfully besiege the British garrisons at Ladysmith, Mafeking and Kimberley. Army reinforcements arrived in South Africa in 1900 and counteroffences relieved the garrisons and enabled the British to take control of the Boer capital, Preto br, br,