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The '''Boer war''' was fought between the British army and the two Boer (Dutch) republics in [[Africa]], the Orange Free State and the Transvaal, from 11 October 1899 until May 1902.

The '''Boer war''' was fought between the British army and the two Boer (Dutch) republics in [[Africa]], the Orange Free State and the Transvaal, from 11 October 1899 until May 1902.

   

   

The war was begun by the treatement 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 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 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 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.