The Boer War

This passage discusses a war that took place in South Africa between the British Empire and the Dutch Boers.

Lexile Level: 900L

Categories: History People & Places

The Boer War was fought between the British Empire and the two Boer republics of the Orange Free State and the South African Republic. It was fought from October 11, 1899 until May 31, 1902. It is really the Second Boer War and is also known as the South African War. The Dutch Boers were concerned about British incursions into their settlements. Gold had been discovered there. The British owned many of the mines. The Boers tried to protect their economic interests by taxing the British prospectors. This only caused Great Britain to send more troops to South Africa. The British refused to withdraw their troops, and so the Boers declared war. By 1900, the last Boer town had surrendered. The war continued for another two years, with the Boers using guerrilla warfare tactics. In the end, the British Empire won and took control of the two republics. The British continued with their plans to consolidate all of their colonies and republics into the Union of South Africa.