Boer War

There were two Boer wars, one from December 16,1880-March 23,1881 and the second from October 11, 1899-May 311902 both between the British and the settlers of Dutch, French and German origin (called Boers, Afrikaners or Voortrekkers) in South Africa that put an end to the two independent republics that they had founded.

Effect of the war on domestic British politics

The war highlighted the dangers of Britain's policy of non-alignment and deepened her isolation. The 1900 UK general election, also known as the "Khaki election", was called by the Prime Minister, Lord Salisbury, on the back of recent British victories. There was much jingoistic enthusiasm for the war at this point among the ordinary people, resulting in a victory for the Conservative government.

Related Topics:
1900 UK general election - Prime Minister - Lord Salisbury - Jingoistic - Conservative

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However, public support quickly waned as it became apparent that the war would not be easy and it dragged on. There was public outrage at the use of scorched earth tactics — the burning of Boer homesteads, for example — and the conditions in the concentration camps. It also became apparent that there were serious problems with public health: up to 40% of recruits were unfit for military service, suffering from medical problems such as rickets and other poverty-related illnesses. This came at a time of increasing concern for the state of the poor in Britain.

Related Topics:
Scorched earth - Boer - Concentration camp - Public health - Military service - Rickets

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The use of Chinese labour, known as Coolies, after the war by the governor of the new crown colonies, Lord Milner, also caused much revulsion in the UK. Workers were often kept in appalling conditions, received only a small wage and were forbidden to socialise with the local population — this led to further public shock at the resulting homosexual acts between those forbidden the services of prostitutes. Some believe the Chinese slavery issue can be seen as the climax of public antipathy with the war.

Related Topics:
Chinese - Coolies - Crown colonies - Lord Milner - Homosexual - Prostitute - Slavery

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Many Irish nationalists sympathised with the Boers, seeing them as a people oppressed by British imperialism, much like themselves. Small groups of Irish volunteers went to South Africa to fight with the Boers — this despite the fact that there were many Irish troops fighting with the British army{{mn|FrederickRoberts|1}}. In England, the "Pro-Boer" campaign expanded{{mn|StopTheWar|2}}, with writers often idealizing the Boer society.

Related Topics:
Irish nationalist - Imperialism

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The consequence of public disquiet over the conduct of the war was the result of the 1906 General Election — the Liberal Party's landslide victory — when the Conservatives lost 246 Members of Parliament, leaving it with 156, and the Liberals gained 216 to give it 399.

Related Topics:
1906 General Election - Landslide victory - Members of Parliament - Liberals

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