Britain and the Boers

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how the period 1870-1910 saw a variety of changes in the relationship between Britain and the Boer Republics. It look at how, although initially there was much animosity between the two groups, the Boer republics were more dependent on the British to protect them from the Zulu tribe. It shows how several changes along this timescale resulted in a number of changes between the two and how a series of economic changes and long term desires to control created a transfer of priorities; Britain was desperately trying to strengthen their Empire to protect their trade and strategic positions, whilst the Boer republics wanted independence from the obstinate British government.

From the Paper:

"In the latter period of the 19th century, the Political beliefs of the British Government centered around the expansion of the British Empire in South Africa to protect the Empire. By the 1890s, Rhodes had now expanded the British Rule ruthlessly, capturing Northern and Southern Rhodesia and making Nyasaland a British Protectorate. However, much of these political beliefs, including the desire for voting rights, served as reasons to not only strengthen the Empire but to protect the key trade and strategic posts from expanding powers, such as Germany. Source A explains that Britain wanted to establish "British power and influence over the Transvaal to advance the unification of the region within the British Empire". Thus it can be argued that political factors were created in order to maintain Britain's status as an empire strategically."

More papers on Britain and the Boers:

• Cause and Effect Essay # 26866 : "Gold-Mining Magnates and the South African War"
• Essay # 15760 : "War and Great Britain, 1899-1948"
• Essay # 66044 : "Transvaal-British Relations 1886 - 1899"

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