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History
The '''Boers''' are an [[Afrikaans]]-speaking people whose ancestors are mainly [[Dutch]], Huguenots and [[German]] [[Reformed]] [[Protestants]]. Boers are also commonly called "Afrikaner-Boers", "Boere-Afrikaners" or sometimes merely "Afrikaners", this last desegnation rather vague, however, becuase they should not be confused with the larger Afrikaans-speaking ethnic group in South Africa, also commonly called the [[Afrikaner]]s.
The '''Boers''' are an [[Afrikaans]]-speaking people whose ancestors are mainly [[Dutch]], Huguenots and [[German]] [[Reformed]] [[Protestants]]. Boers are also commonly called "Afrikaner-Boers", "Boere-Afrikaners" or sometimes merely "Afrikaners", this last desegnation rather vague, however, becuase they should not be confused with the larger Afrikaans-speaking ethnic group in South Africa, also commonly called the [[Afrikaner]]s. The Boers number approximately 400,000 people today.
=== The Great Trek ===
=== The Great Trek ===
The origin of the Boer people can be seen as the [[The Great Trek]] (1835-1845) was the northern migration of 12,000–14,000 Boer settlers from Cape Colony in South Africa when the British arrived and took control of the government. They seeked freedom and [[self-determination]] in their own homeland. The leaders of the "Trek" was Andries Pretorius, Piet Retief, Piet Uys, Hendrik Potgieter and Gerrit Maritz. The Boers migrated northward into what became known as the [[Orange Free State]] and later into the Transvaal ([[South African Republic]]). Although the Boers found no indigious people at the time of settlement in these areas, Retief chose to settle in Natal, where he came into conflict with the [[Zulus]]. After various battles in Natal in 1838, help from the other [[Voorttrekker]] leaders arrived in December. Some 438 Trekkers made a [[Covenant]] with God, that they would give the glory of the victory to Him. Charl Cilliers was the author of the Covenant. On 16 December 1838, the Trekkers defeated nearly 12 000 Zulus at during the [[Battle of Blood River]]. Boers still celebrate December 16th every year as Covenant Day. Various Boer Republics were founded after the "Trek": in 1838, the Republic of Natalia was founded, but it was shortlived, it ceased to exist in 1843. The South African Reoublic and the Orange Free State gained independence from [[Great Brittian]] in 1852 and 1854, respectively.
The origin of the Boer people can be seen as the [[The Great Trek]] (1835-1845), it was the northern migration of 12,000–14,000 Boer settlers from Cape Colony in South Africa when the British arrived and took control of the government. They seeked freedom and [[self-determination]] in their own homeland. The leaders of the "Trek" was Andries Pretorius, Piet Retief, Piet Uys, Hendrik Potgieter and Gerrit Maritz. The Boers migrated northward into what became known as the [[Orange Free State]] and later into the Transvaal ([[South African Republic]]). Although the Boers found no indigious people at the time of settlement in these areas, Retief chose to settle in Natal, where he came into conflict with the [[Zulus]]. After various battles in Natal in 1838, help from the other [[Voorttrekker]] leaders arrived in December. Some 438 Trekkers made a [[Covenant]] with God, that they would give the glory of the victory to Him. Charl Cilliers was the author of the Covenant. On 16 December 1838, the Trekkers defeated nearly 12,000 Zulus at during the [[Battle of Blood River]]. Boers still celebrate December 16th every year as Covenant Day. Various Boer Republics were founded after the "Trek": in 1838, the Republic of Natalia was founded, but it was shortlived, it ceased to exist in 1843. The South African Reoublic and the Orange Free State gained independence from [[Great Brittian]] in 1852 and 1854, respectively.
=== The Anglo-Boer Wars ===
=== The Anglo-Boer Wars ===
Two Anglo-Boer wars were fought during the latter part of the 18th century, the first was won by the South African Republic in 1881, the second, spanning from 1899 to 1902, was eventually won by the [[British]]. On May 31, 1902, both the South African Republic and the Orange Free State conceded their independence to Great Brittian. Over 100 000 Boer woman and children died in British concentration camps during the war.
Two Anglo-Boer wars were fought during the latter part of the 18th century, both the result of British [[Imperialism]]. The first was won by the South African Republic in 1881, the second, spanning from 1899 to 1902, was eventually won by the [[British]]. On May 31, 1902, both the South African Republic and the Orange Free State conceded their independence to Great Brittian. Over 100 000 Boer woman and children died in British concentration camps during the war.
=== The Maritz Rebellion ===
=== The Maritz Rebellion ===
After the Union of South Africa was formed by the British colonies of the Cape, Natal, Orange Free State and Transvaal in 1910, a few thousand Boers participated in a rebellion, under leadership of Manie Maritz, against the government in 1914, after the government decleared war against Germany. The aim of the Rebellion was to found a new Boer Republic. The rebels were surpressed by the government forces, however, and many recieved jail sentences.
After the Union of South Africa was formed by the British colonies of the Cape, Natal, Orange Free State and Transvaal in 1910, a few thousand Boers participated in a rebellion, under leadership of Manie Maritz, against the government in 1914, after the government decleared war against Germany. The aim of the Rebellion was to found a new Boer Republic. The rebels were surpressed by the government forces, however, and many recieved jail sentences.
=== 20th Century ===
After the formation of the Union, there was a deliberate attempt to assimilate the Boers with the Cape-based Afrikaners. Although this had some success in the 20th century, recently it became increasingly clear that the Boers andAfrikaners have remained distinct cultural groups. Many Boers were represented in the National Party that ruled the country from 1924 to 1934 and again from 1948 to 1994. It was the influence of Boer Nationalism that led to the formation of the independent Republic of [[South Africa]] on May 31, 1961 under ledership of Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd. In the late 1980s, most Boers left the National Party and joined the [[Conservative Party of South Africa]] and some already joined the [[Re-constituted National Party]] some 15-20 years earlier. In the 1992 referendum, virtually all Boers voted against the trasformation of South Africa into a multiracial state.
=== Early 21st century ===
Some organizations were created in the early 21st century to promote Boer Nationalism and stive towards achieving independence along religious lines, since Boers believe that they are completely dependent on the will of God fo their existence and seek to glorify Him, should they recieve self-determination. The most notable of these are the "Boere Vryheids Inisiatief" and the "Sekretariaat vir Volksbou". Many Boers are also members of the "Transvaal Agricultural Union".
[[Category:Africa]]
[[Category:Africa]]
[[Category:South Africa]]
[[Category:South Africa]]