Changes

The war was caused by the treatment of British commercialists within the states, who were denied voting rights. This caused the mine owners and British nationals to pressure the authorities into toppling the Boer government. In addition the republics were an economic threat to the established British colonies in the region. An attempted coup - the 'Jameson Raid' (Dec 29 1895-Jan 2 1896) - backed by the Prime Minister of the Cape colony, Cecil Rhodes, failed, which let the Boers know that war was to follow.  

The war was caused by the treatment of British commercialists within the states, who were denied voting rights. This caused the mine owners and British nationals to pressure the authorities into toppling the Boer government. In addition the republics were an economic threat to the established British colonies in the region. An attempted coup - the 'Jameson Raid' (Dec 29 1895-Jan 2 1896) - backed by the Prime Minister of the Cape colony, Cecil Rhodes, failed, which let the Boers know that war was to follow.  

In September 1899 the British Colonial Secretary Chamberlain issued an ultimatum demanding equal rights for the British within the republics. They retorted with an ultimatum of their own; if the British did not withdraw troops from the border within 48 hours they would declare war.  

In September 1899 the British Colonial Secretary [[Joseph Chamberlain]] issued an ultimatum demanding equal rights for the British within the republics. They retorted with an ultimatum of their own; if the British did not withdraw troops from the border within 48 hours they would declare war.  

Initially the war was fought in the traditional style of pitched battles. Due to their expertise with the terrain and the disorganisation of the British the Boers were initially successful, launching offensives into the British colonies, and defeating British offensives during 'Black Week' in December 1899 which saw British defeats at the Battles of Stormberg, Magersfontein and Colenso. However the immense capacity of the British Empire was brought to bear, and the Boer Commandos were pushed back into their own states. The conflict then degenerated into a guerilla war. The British found that they could only control the territory they phyically occupied. But a mixture of new infantry tactics, fixed defences and the disillusionment of the native Africans with the Boers combined to end in the surrender of the Boer forces in May 1902 .

Initially the war was fought in the traditional style of pitched battles. Due to their expertise with the terrain and the disorganisation of the British the Boers were initially successful, launching offensives into the British colonies, and defeating British offensives during 'Black Week' in December 1899 which saw British defeats at the Battles of Stormberg, Magersfontein and Colenso. However the immense capacity of the British Empire was brought to bear, and the Boer Commandos were pushed back into their own states. The conflict then degenerated into a guerilla war. The British found that they could only control the territory they phyically occupied. But a mixture of new infantry tactics, fixed defences and the disillusionment of the native Africans with the Boers combined to end in the surrender of the Boer forces in May 1902 .