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131 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Who were outlanders? |
Outlanders is the Boer name for immigrants, mostly English speaking who went to South Africa to look for gold and diamonds rather than land to farm who were |
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Who were the Boers? |
Dutch origin, descendants of first Europeans to settle in South Africa in 17th century which |
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Which colonies were held by the British in South Africa? |
Cape Colony and Natal |
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When was gold discovered in South Africa? |
1880s |
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What was the Jameson raid? |
Failed raid by Dr Leander Starr Jameson on the side of the outlanders in 1895 from Cape Colony that aimed to overthrow the Boer Government of the Transvaal |
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What did the failure of the Jameson raid lead to? |
Cecil Rhode’s resignation as premier of Cape Colony and the unifying of the Boers under Paul Kruger (Transvaal’s president) |
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What ultimatum did the Boers give Britain flowing the Jameson raid? |
Demanded withdrawal of British troops from their frontiers and the return home of reinforcements en route by sea. |
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When and how did the Boer war begin? |
11th October 1899 Boers attacked Cape Colony and Natal as Britain refused their ultimatum |
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Briefly describe the First Boer war + outcomes |
Boers resented British intrusion in Zulu war and fought 1880-81. London Convention 1884 left Boers in control of Transvaal |
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How did the Boers feel about the war? |
Saw the war as a fight for survival and identity, fearing British empire building would engulf Afrikaans-speaking republics. |
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How did Britain feel about the war? |
Greeted mostly with patriotic enthusiasm. Confidence high due to recent victory in Sudan. |
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Which reforms were carried out before the Boer war and what did this mean? |
Cardwell reforms Organisation and recruitment had improved (purchasing of commissions abolished) |
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Which side had better weaponry? |
British had Maxim machine guns, new Lee-Enfield rifles and new breach-loading field artillery that had been tested in colonial campaigns But, Boer government had bought modern guns and artillery from France and Germany so Boers were more well-armed |
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Initially, how many men were fighting on each side? |
Boers - 50,000 British - 27,000 |
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How many men were on the British side after reinforcements had arrived? |
84,000 by 1st December 1899 |
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How did the British plan to overcome the challenges of Inland transport and what was the weakness of this? |
Using railways between jet towns to invade Boer strongholds: set up department of Military railways and specialist unit of railway engineers to repair and extend railway network Moving supplies by rail was vulnerable as Boers could easily block or cut tracks |
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Which Boer line did the British gain control of by September 1900? |
Pretoria to Delagoa Bay |
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What were the Boers most effective fighting units? |
Commandos - bands of horsemen skilled at guerilla tactics |
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What advantages did the Boers have? |
Experiencing fighting Zulus and first Boer war Most Boer farmers were skilled hunters and “trekkers” used to ridding across rugged terrain and shooting- those without rifle, armed by gov Had local support to move supplies so seldom run out of ammunition. Backed by Germany, few hundred foreign volunteers |
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Which beliefs underlined the British attitude towards the Boers? |
That the Boers were pro-German, hostile to democracy and a barrier to British imperial ambitions |
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Which problems faced the British in terms of organisation and tactics? |
Lacked local knowledge, inaccurate maps Boer residents in British colonies unwilling to help and locals in Boer territory hostile No General staff organisation- commanders ill-prepared Outdated tactical approach Little knowledge about the enemy |
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What did the British falsely assume at the start of the war? |
The Boers would surrender as soon as they saw the strength opposing them |
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What is a general staff and when did Britain get one? |
A permanent group of senior officers whose job is to run the army- troop inspections, modernising practices and equipment and planning for future wars Imperial general staff set up in 1909 |
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Which outdated tactical approach did Britain use? |
Frontal attacks. Enemy pounded by artillery, then infantry fired rifle volleys in lines, then enemy scattered by cavalry |
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Which towns did Boers seige in the first weeks of war? |
Ladysmith, Kimberley and Mafeking |
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What was the impact of the sieges? |
Shocked the government and army as Boers showed themselves capable of prolonged conventional warfare with artillery. Strategic value is questionable but impact immense as greeted with disbelief, gloom and anger in Britain |
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Which seige was the most crucial for the British? |
Seige of Ladysmith |
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Who led forces on either side at the siege of Ladysmith? |
Boers under General Piet Joubert British under Sir George White |
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When was the siege of Ladysmith? |
Began 2nd November 1899 |
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Which weaponry was used by each side at the siege of Ladysmith? |
Boers- French siege guns(heavy artillery weapons used to bombard the walls of fortified town) British- two 4.7 inch naval guns |
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How did British commander, Sir George White respond to the siege and why was he criticised? |
Set up a defensive perimeter and settled down for a seige. He was criticised for leaving much of the defences to junior officers |
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When and what was Black week? |
10-17 December 1899 Response to sieges led by Sir Redvers Buller with 4 successive defeats at Stormberg, Magersfontein, Colenso and Spion kop Caused outrage and grief at home |
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Which 3 groups did Buller split his force into? |
Gatacre with 3000 men to recapture Stormberg Methuen with 10,000 men to relieve Kimberley and Mafeking Buller with 20,000 troops to relieve Ladysmith |
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What happened to Gatacre’s force attacking at Stormberg? |
Travelled by train to marching distance of Stormberg. Attacked Stormberg on 10th December and failed dismally. Exposed to Boer rifle fire, British retreated but more than 500 wer left behind and taken prisoner. |
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Why didn’t Methuen reach Kimberley or Mafeking? |
He was blocked by Boers entrenched on the lower slopes of Magersfontein hill. |
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What happened when the British attacked on 11th December at Magersfontein hill? |
They hadn’t scouted properly so in darkness, men blundered into wire and tin cans strung to give Boers warning. Pinned down in daylight, exposed to scorching sun and enemy fire + shelled by own side when British guns opened fire on the hill. |
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How many men did Methuen lose? |
200 |
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What obstacle did Buller have to cross to reach Ladysmith? |
Tugela river |
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Why was crossing the Tugela river a disaster? |
Boers under Louis Botha defended river fords that Buller's men needed to cross. Not knowing local geography, officers sent troops across in wrong places into heavy Boer fire. Artillery battery mistakenly deployed at rifle range an gunners shot down. |
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Which important figure was killed at Colenso? |
Son of Field Marshal Lord Roberts |
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Why did Buller calling off the assault cause confusion? |
British had occupied the town of Colenso |
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How many British were killed, wounded and captured at Colenso? |
143 dead, 756 wounded and 220 captured |
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How many Boers were killed and wounded at Colenso? |
8 dead, 30 wounded |
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After his setback at Colenso, what message did Buller controversially send? |
Buller signaled by heliograph to Ladysmith, telling White he had better surrender. (White declined and held out a further 10.5 weeks) |
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What is a heliograph? |
A signalling device using mirrors to reflect the sun’s rays to flash signals in morse code |
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What is Spion kop? |
One of 4 rocky hills, beyond which lay Ladysmith |
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Who led the British attack on Spion kop and why did it have such heavy losses? |
General Sir Charles warren. British infantry thought they had taken the hilltop but as morning mist cleared discovered they were exposed to Boers firing from higher ground. Poor communication meant some men were told to defend Spion Kop while others told to withdraw. |
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What was the result of the attack on Spion Kop? |
British pulled back across the Tugela river. 1350 casualties |
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Who led the relief of Ladysmith and how did they get the Boers to withdraw? |
Buller, in a subordinate role. Used pontoon bridges to cross the River Tugela and used artillery bombardment to forced Boers to withdraw |
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When did the siege of Ladysmith finally end and his long was the siege? |
28th February 1900 118 days |
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Describe the relief of Kimberley |
Relief force commanded by Roberts. Started on 10th February with 40,000 men and used superior numbers to push Boers back. Then, on 15th February, Sir John French’s cavalry fought through Kimberley and lifted the siege |
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How many men were in the garrison at Mafeking and how many Boers were they facing? |
Smallest garrison of 1200 against 7000 Boers |
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Who led the garrison in Mafeking and why did he become a national hero in Britain? |
Colonel Robert Baden-Powell Became hero for his ingenuity. Tactics included using fake landmines, dummy guns, moving real cannons around to make it seem like they had more, armed 300 Africans, used teenage boys as messengers and sent armoured train to attack Boer camp |
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How did the Boers attempt to gain control of Mafeking and why did this fail? |
Hoped to starve Mafeking into surrender and only attempted an assault when relief force was approaching. Boer raiders were defeated by the garrison and African fighters |
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Who led the relief force of Mafeking and when was the siege lifted, after how long? |
Colonel Mahon 17th May 1900 after 217 days |
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What was the impact of black week on public opinion? |
Defeats reported in newspapers and soldiers letters home changed public opinion from positive to negative. Reports of confusion caused outrage. Public couldn’t understand how British soldiers could be defeated by farmers |
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What positive impact did the sieges have for the British? |
A static siege cost the Boers their key advantages of being able to ride fast, strike quickly and disappear. Gave Britain time to reinforce- 180,000 troops by end of January 1900. Gave Boers little strategic advantage |
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Who were the 3 British commanders in the Boer war? |
General Sir Redvers Buller Field Marshal Roberts Field Marshal Kitchener |
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What experience did Buller have? |
He won the Victoria cross during Zulu wars Fought in 1st Boer war Served in Egypt as head of intelligence |
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Why did Buller have to abandon his intention of attacking Boers in Transvaal? |
By the time he arrived in South Africa, end of October 1899, sieges had already begun. |
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How did Buller feel about relieving the sieges and what might this explain? |
He appeared confident Gave the impression to journalists that that the war would be short as the British soldiers would soon defeat the “amateur” Boers. May explain the haphazard fashion of army’s first offensive |
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What did Buller do that the government thought was politically unacceptable? |
Told White in Ladysmith that the town ought to be abandoned |
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What did Buller fail to do at the start of the war and why was this surprising? |
Failed to scout properly - main columns he sent north in November 1899 failed to gather much info about the enemy(serious failing considering lack of decent maps) Shocking as he was head of intelligence in Egypt so should’ve known better |
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What battle did Buller lead and why was it a disaster? |
Colenso - He was indecisive and failed to communicate plans clearly to his subordinates |
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What did Buller do later in the war, after he was replaced and what did this show? |
Led the campaign in Natal. Then, in later guerrilla phase of war, advanced into Transvaal, winning at Bergendal against Botha Showed he had learned lessons, particularly in obtaining better intelligence and using cavalry mobility to outflank the Boers |
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What happened when Buller returned to Britain? |
He was honoured as a war hero but his reputation was damaged. He spoke out publicly in response to an article in the Times critical of the conduct of the war. For this, he was dismissed for breaking army regulations (commenting publicly while still a serving officer) |
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What do Buller’s supporters say? |
He was an innovator, urging his men to make better use of natural cover and co-ordinating infantry rushes with a “creeping” artillery barrage to counter Boer tactic of firing from concealed positions. He did his best to limit casualties He also did well in later stages against Boer guerrillas |
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What do Buller’s critics say? |
He is the epitome of military incompetence. He is over-cautious. Eg. Refusing to use colonial horsemen as scouts. Signal to White was a severe error in judgement |
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Who did Field Marshal Roberts take with him as chief of staff and when did he arrive in South Africa? |
Lord Kitchener January 1900 |
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What did Roberts set about doing when he arrived in South Africa? |
Lifting the sieges and capturing Bloemfontein (capital of Orange Free State) to show Boers they could not win and lift British morale |
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Which fresh instructions did Roberts issue? |
Avoid frontal assaults Outflank the Boers forcing them to retreat or become surrounded Use cavalry to scout territory and chase the Boers Ordered repairs to damage railways as camping begun in February |
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When did Roberts finally take Bloemfontein? |
13 March 1900 |
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Why was Roberts forced to halt at Bloemfontein? |
Due to shortage of supplies and outbreak of typhoid that killed almost 1000 men |
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Which towns were relieved or captured under Roberts? |
Kimberley, Ladysmith, Bloemfontein, Mafeking, Johannesburg and Pretoria |
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Where did Boer soldiers continue to resist towards the end of the summer? |
In Transvaal (in guerrilla campaign) |
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What happened at the end of the summer which showed the war was nearly over? |
Boer presidents (Martinus steyn and Paul Kruger) fled abroad and both territories (Orange Free State and Transvaal) were formally annexed by Britain |
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Who did Roberts appoint as chief scout? |
American Frontiersman, Frederick Burnham. He knew Africa well and had fought in previous colonial wars |
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When did Roberts hand over command to Kitchener? |
November 1900 |
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What did Kitchener find in his original role as chief of staff? |
His role was primarily in organisation and supply. He was unimpressed with what he found, commenting British artillery was a useless as he expected and he complained of food supplies, esp lack of emergency rations. War office provided only excuses |
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How long did the last phase of the war drag on for? |
A year and a half |
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What is a war of attrition and why did the Boer war become one? |
When an army seeks to destroy opposition by siege, occupation, starvation, cutting off supplies and destroying resources Britain was forced into one due to the determination of Boer guerrillas |
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What was the scorched earth policy? |
A policy beginning under Roberts, whereby the British swept through Boer areas systematically, removing and destroying food, livestock, ammunition and anything else of use to the enemy. |
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By September 1901, how many people were held in how many concentrations camps? |
110,000 people held in 35 camps |
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Why were people put in concentration camps? |
The scorched earth tactic produced thousands of displaced civilians who were escorted to camps. Army commanders felt it was their duty to round up locals to save them form starvation and stop them providing aid to Boer guerrillas |
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What were conditions so poor in the concentration camps? |
Running the camps was a low priority for the army and administration was very poor. Overcrowding made the camp conditions terrible with erratic food supplies and almost non-existent medical care |
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How many people died in the concentration camps? |
28,000 (22,000 under 16) |
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Why did Kitchener argue the camps were humanitarian? |
Because to leave women, children and elderly people without food and shelter was practically a death sentence. The camps were not intended to terrorise the Boers. |
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What did critics have to say about the camps? |
Camp policy was deliberate neglect, thinking news of camp’s high death toll would demoralise Boer fighters, army continue to force civilians into overcrowded camps and when disease broke out, soldiers were reluctant to enter fearing infection. |
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Why did the British leave Boer families on farms towards the end of the war? |
They thought this might encourage Boer guerrillas to surrender and they realised camps had become a propaganda gift to critics abroad and anti-war campaigners at home. |
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What were blockhouses and how did they work? |
Small forts of up to 8 soldiers. Used alongside barbed wire to segment the countryside to seal off sections and sen in mounted infantry and cavalry to clear out Boers section by section |
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How many blockhouses and how many miles of barbed wire were used? |
8000 blockhouses and 4000 miles of barbed wire |
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Why was there only a small force left for offensive operations at the end of the war? |
Most troops used in blockhouse system and protecting railways |
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How did the war come to an end and when and where was the last skirmish? |
Boer fighters invaded Cape Colony, hoping local Boers would join them but a general uprising didn’t happen and the Boers were chased back to Orange Free State. Guerrilla groups continued to terrorise British in Transvaal until last skirmish at Rooiwal in April 1902. |
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Which treaty ended the war and when was it signed? |
Treaty of Vereeniging, 31st may 1902 |
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Why did the British public take such a close interest in the war? |
Many families had soldiers serving in the army or relatives who had gone to South Africa as migrants. Lots of magazine and newspaper coverage of the war reporting soon after events thanks to telephones and telegraphs. |
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Which battle had a significant effect on public opinion and why? |
Spion Kop photographs of dead British soldiers on the hill bought home the shocking realities of war. Photos carried in Illustrated London News. Also, Times commented on absence of clearly reasoned plan causing the army to pay a heavy price |
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How did Queen Victoria respond to the war news? |
She had 100,000 tins of chocolate sent out to her “dear brave soldiers” along with knitted clothing |
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How was over-reliance on railways remedied after Black week? |
Using more armoured trains (armoured trains had a metal shielded truck in front of the steam locomotive to detonate enemy mines left on the track) |
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How did the size of the British force in South Africa increase? |
A recruitment drive mounted through the empire for able-bodied young men, especially horsemen. |
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What did the press nickname Sir Redvers Buller? |
“Sir Reverse” |
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How did the public respond to the arrival of Roberts and Kitchener and why? |
They were welcomed as Roberts was a hero of the Indian mutiny and Afghan Wars and Kitchener was fresh from victories in the Sudan |
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Which newspaper was Winston Churchill a war correspondent for in the war? |
Morning Post |
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When was Churchill in the army and where did he see action? |
1895-‘99 when he left and failed to win a seat in parliament. Rejoined briefly in 1899 |
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Which adventure did Churchill write about, making him a minor hero in Britain? |
Helping to rescue an ambushed armoured train and being captured by the Boers but escaping. |
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What was the tone/content of Churchill’s reports? |
He believed the war was just and believed in the British Empire. His dispatches were generally supportive but did reveal deficiencies in the army. Lively journalism made readers at home feel close to the action. |
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What is “Maffiking” and where did the word come from? |
A short-lived new word for street celebrations following the flag waving jubilation sparked by the relief of Mafeking |
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Give an example of a Boer war song |
Goodbye Dolly Gray |
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What did Boer commandos remind some people of and why? |
Cowboys in the wild west due to their horses and wagons |
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What is Jingoism? |
The extreme belief that your country is always right, often shown in enthusiastic support for war |
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As the war dragged on, what did the press begin to question? |
Questions about Spion kop, why the sieges took so long to be lifted, why army couldn’t defeat Boer guerrillas quickly, why troops were suffering shortages and concentration camps. |
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Which newspapers were fiercely imperialist? |
Daily Mail and Daily express |
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What was the stop the war committee? |
An anti-war organisation founded by journalist W.T. Stead and others to oppose the Boer war |
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What did Stead’s scathing review say in 1902? |
It was a scathing attack on the plight of children in camps, claiming that by halving their food rations, the army were in effect murdering them to exert pressure on their families still resisting the British army. |
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What was the “khaki election”? |
An early general election in autumn 1900. War was key issue and many candidates including Churchill were army officers so it became known as the khaki election. Lord Salisbury won 51% of vote |
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What was the government during the war and who was Prime Minister? |
A coalition between conservatives and liberal unionists. Lord Salisbury |
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How supportive were the government of the war? |
Conservative Party were largely in favour of the war while liberals were split with liberal imperialists LIMPS in favour and radicals led by David Lloyd George opposed |
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Who was Emily Hobhouse? |
A British peace activist |
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What was the name of the Fund Hobhouse founded to raise money for Boer families? |
The South African Women and Children Distress Fund |
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Which committee was Hobhouse asked to joined in 1899? |
South African Conciliation Committee |
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When did Hobhouse leave for South Africa and with a letter of introduction to who? |
7th December 1900 Alfred Milner, British high commissioner |
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What did Hobhouse expect to find? |
She had only heard of one concentration camp and had expected to bring in comforts such as soap |
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What did Hobhouse find at the camp in Bloemfontein? |
Cramped, squalid conditions Inadequate and selective food rations- many children dying of malnutrition No vegetables, fresh milk and meat not given to women and children whose men were fighting |
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Which diseases were spreading at the camps and why? |
whooping cough, measles, typhoid, diarrhoea and dysentery Due to insanitary conditions without adequate toilets or clean water |
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In which liberal newspaper were extracts of Hobhouse’ report published? |
Manchester guardian |
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How did the government respond to Hobhouse’ report? |
Sent a committee of enquiry led by suffragist Millicent Fawcett |
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What did the Fawcett committee find? |
Their reports corroborated Hobhouse’s findings |
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How did the public respond to these reports? |
They were shocked and demanded action |
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What did the government do to improve camp conditions? |
They took the responsibility of the camps away from the army and passed them to civilian administration. |
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What did the death rate in the camps fall to by the end of the war? |
2% Less than Glasgow |
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Which factors affected the British reaction to the war? |
Treatment of civilians Performance of British army Leadership Casualties |
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Which reforms were influenced by the Boer war? |
Haldane’s reforms |
