I'm a 75 year old South African living in New Zealand for 22 years. I have just recommended your history program to my children for them to listen to. You have done an excellent job of research. The younger generation of South Africans know basically nothing of this history. I am very pleased you made a strong mention of the long forgotten, Concentration Camps. I also well remember an elderly Boer Lady telling me how they had to bury their precious polished dining room table in the earth on their farm, to prevent the British from destroying it. The Boer Lady who told this account to me is long ago passed on. Thank you for your good work. Erich, now living in New Zealand.
@@TheHistoryChap what I find absolutely fantastic is how all the commanders on both sides of the conflict got their information. We're so connected these modern days. But how on earth were they so well informed.? Even in the earlier Khartoum expedition. The circle has come full circle in crimea. So depressed that the English government simply cannot stop creating a new war. Along with the cousins in America.
Kitchner becomes a war criminal and disgraces his entire career. It once again showed that the British were capable of despicable actions against native populations
Not just the natives, they killed their own people, in 1820 there were British settlers already. Killing more than 28000 women and children. They were barbaric.
As an American I'd heard of the Boer War but as a child I couldn't find much about it. Thanks so much for your many episodes of this time in history, I now understand what this was all about. Much continued success with your work, I just finished watching the episode describing Thomas Jones' exploits in WW I. Thanks again
Thanks for another great history lesson! I’ve joined your channel recently and now watch a video every night, I must say these are fascinating retellings of historical events. I’ve really enjoyed learning about the British empires exploits from the Crimean war to the boar war, keep posting and thanks for all your hard work and endeavour 👏
Thank you for a very well balanced exposition on the Anglo Boer war. I am the grandson of a British born grandfather who as a young boy was at the siege of Potchefstroom he fought fought for the Transvaal Republic captured while protecting Paul Kruger who was fleeing to Mozambique. After my G/f capture he was sent to Tuckers Island.
My great-great grandfather fought in this war in the mounted infantry. He joined up in 1900 aged about 19 or 20 and was involved in one mini battle that went on for seven hours before he was captured by the Boers. He was a prisoner for a while before he and some of his comrades were released and welcomed home. Afterwards he married and fathered three daughters and settled down to life as a shoe riveter. He was called up again as a reservist in 1914 as an 'Old Contemptible' in the BEF and briefly made Lance Corporal until a German prisoner of war escaped while he was guarding him. He was killed at the Somme during the German advance of 1918. We have one photograph of him in our family from when he was 10 years old but sadly nothing else. It's my big dream in life to find a picture of him because I'm sure that there's one out there somewhere.
@@TheHistoryChap Thank you! Glad you enjoyed my family story, finding a picture or enhancing & CG aging our family picture will be tricky but not impossible I'm sure 😊
Sympathy for your Great Great Grandfather. How much did true wealth did Britain lose with the sacrifice of such men in these two, unnecessary (in my humble opinion) wars? What could this man of such loyalty and commitment have gone on to achieve in his life. Treasure lost. Both my Grandfathers survived the Great War. My Paternal Grandfather was a regular army (Black Watch) and Old Contemptible and my Maternal Grandfather was shot through the chest in 1916 but survived.
@@presterjohn4123 Thank you for your kind words. I agree sort of in the sense that war in general is very wasteful and tragic, whether it's necessary or unnecessary. I'm glad that your grandfathers made it through the war though 🥲
Another great episode Chris. I really enjoy the information and especially your enthusiastic storytelling. Interesting and exciting at the same time, it draws the viewer in 100%.
I'm glad that you're not a chap who is intent on taking a cheap low blow at our Country, it's just a channel which accurately depicts history of the 19th and 20th Centuries..... well done mate!!!
Great video, I agree with almost everything you said, but I think your statement at 25:00 is not fair. These territories were given to black people. They were called Bantustans, each tribe had one, many were bigger than European countries and in these territories they had self government. These Bantustans consisted of territory that was traditionally occupied by the tribes, with additional land gifted by the Boere. When Bantu people moved down from central Africa they settled along the north and east coast in the most fertile parts. This means that the Bantustans have the most fertile ground of all of SA. Platinum was discovered in the Bantustan of Bophuthatswana and the Boers never tried to take it. The most platinum rich deposits in the world still belong to the Royal Bafukeng Tribe. The Transvaal territory was bought from black people in the 1800's with thousands of cattle and these contracts still exist.
Excellently done and researched . Luxembourg, where I am from also has many ties to South Africa .Have been there so many times , just love the country - thanks for bringing all its history back to life. Keep up the good work.
thanks for explaining a part of our history that we didn't learn about in our school, i started my education in 1959 up to 1970 and it was almost all about our glorious past, in fact i do remember once celebrating empire day. i thank my secondary school history teacher Geoff Barret for instilling in me the interest i still have in our historical past, both good or bad. i came here from your corporal jack jones video. thanks.
Excellent video as usual, Chris. The main gateway into St.Stephen's Green Park in Dublin is a monument to the Irish Regiments who served in S.Africa. The more anti British element in Dublin refer to it as, the Traitor's Gate. However, the Irish Regiments served with great valour and distinction.
Thanks for posting this. My Great Grand Father was the last President of the NZ Boer War Veterans Association when they wound up in the early 1970's. He served in the Colonial Light Horse and Bushmanland Borderers irregulars.
The actual term ‘concentration camp’ was invented by the Spanish (as campo de concentración or campo de reconcentración) in 1896 - three years before the 2nd Anglo-Boer War (1899 - 1904) started. It originated during The Cuban War of Independence (Guerra de Independencia cubana, 1895-98) was the last of three liberation wars that Cuba fought against Spain. In the end 225,000 ‘non combatant’ Cuban civilians died in just 18 months between 1896 and 1897. That is some number, nearly a quarter of a million Cubans.
Agreed! Also The Philippine-American War February 4, 1899, to July 2, 1902. American started instituting a pacification campaign that combined several counterinsurgency tactics. Insurgent fighters captured by U.S. forces were dealt with swiftly through deportation, imprisonment or execution, while tens of thousands of civilians were herded into “zones of protection” to protect them and prevent them from joining guerrilla bands. These “reconcentrados,” or concentration camps, were as reported in the Ledger at the time. One camp commandant referred to them as the “suburbs of hell.” So yes not a British idea, and not to be confuse with WW2 concentration camps which people continue to make the mistake. The aim in South Africa wasn’t systematic murder.
Interesting. I had a relative that fought in the Boer war, later sent to India, then France at the outbreak of WW1, where he was wounded. After recuperation he was sent to Mesopotamia where he was shot and killed by Ottoman Turks, outside Basra, a week after being promoted to Lieutenant . His medals are on display apparently, in the Black Watch museum. Whenever Basra was mentioned during the war in Iraq, my thoughts always drifted to him and his comrades. As for the policy of containment in Concentration camps. It should have been obvious that disease would break out. The British had already lost many troops to disease. Not our finest hour but I think it is a bit of a stretch to blame the British for Apartheid. That I think, is down to Boer policies, their thinking, as I understand it, is that they were the ones that fought for the country and therefore the only ones that deserved to have the vote. Britain would had to have kept a standing army there to ensure otherwise. This would have negated the agreement with the Boers as regards their self governance. The losses suffered by both sides hardened attitudes, in my opinion. Interesting also the famous men who fought in that war. Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes, was to use his experience there to form the character of Holmes's friend and companion, Dr. Watson. Churchill's escape from the Boers did no harm to his political ambitions. Baden Powell went on to adapt his training for young boys in the Scouts and Kitchener was lost on board a destroyer, allegedly taking gold to Russia to keep them in WW1. His face, famously being used as a recruitment poster, during the war. These snippets of history, resound like echoes from the past, fascinating. Thanks for uploading.
Steven, thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts. I certainly don't think the British were to blame for Apartheid, but I lived in SA and the concentration camp period is deeply seared into Afrikaaner souls. Best wishes ua-cam.com/users/TheHistoryChap
Ridiculous to blame the British for apartheid, it was always a Boer policy. However, the British concentration camps, whilst nothing like as bad as their Nazi namesake, were nevertheless places of (deliberate?) neglect that led to many unnecessary deaths of Boer women and children, unforgiveable!
@@TheHistoryChap - I grew up in South Africa, a descendent of English settlers in 1852 (Grahamstown) and French Huegenot settlers in 1682. Without those concentration camps, the hardliners may never gained control in 1948, and apartheid may never been implemented. And my maternal grandfather would not have been arrested along with Madiba and gaoled for 15 years for his part in the ANC. I met him for the first time in 1980, when I was 14 years old.
A good summation of events and balanced perspective of the events. The lessons Britain learned in this grubby conflict may have saved the army in 1914. Sadly, today SA is a shadow of its former self, whatever racial group or nationality people are from. Domination of the different groups by an aggressive group of whatever background will eventually tear the country apart, I fear. I can't help wondering if after 1994 it would have been better to allow a 'natural ' division if the country to have taken place. The ANC would never have sanctioned that of course, but their abysmal rule cannot survive another quartet of a century. The problem may be hothead like Malena will fill the vacuum and all he'll will break loose.
Blacks are the original and natural inhabitants of South Africa and Africa . They are the natives . Also they are 80% of the population . So it is but natural that they should dominate South Africa . The Asians ( Chinese And Indians ) , Whites and the Coloureds are immigrants and they should know that and behave accordingly . Yes , the ANC is absolutely terrible but South Africa should never be divided . Because South Africa belongs to the Blacks first and foremost . Not the other immigrant groups like Asians or Whites or Coloureds .
@@bobfaam5215 Actually the Black Bantus who make up 80% of the population in South Africa are also not the original native inhabitants. The only truly first native inhabitants are the KhoiSan, who make up less than 1% of the population today.
I think you missed one interesting fact. That the Liverpudlian soldiers at Spiro Kop went back to Liverpool and named the steep terrace at Anfield Football Ground "the Kop" due to the resemblance to the hill. IN fact many steep terraces got the name but it only stuck at Anfield as it was the biggest in the UK.
Ever travel to Loftus Rd? Offices and main stand are on the other side of QPR's stadium, on South Africa Rd. The away end is approached via Bloemfontein Rd. One of the stands is on Ellerslie Rd, which has a small street running off it called Bloemfontein Ave. The second closest pub to the ground was called General Smuts. Spion Kop...the Kop was adopted by many northern teams, though Birmingham City had one that ran down the side of the stadium. Most are gone because their stadiums got rebuilt or knocked down.
A crisp and informative overview of the conflict. However, like you, I thought that the term “concentration camp” first came from the Second Boer War. So, I was surprised to hear last week, on the “History Debunked” UA-cam Channel, that the tactic was said to originate at least several decades earlier in Cuba. In fact, one correspondent argued that such a policy was used by the Romans, at the time of the Second Jewish Revolt against their Empire. Thus, perhaps in history there truly is “Nothing new under the Sun.”
Great video Chris. Maybe you can do a video on the Irish who fought in this war. They fought on both sides. Today I come across Afrikaners with Irish surnames from that time whose forefathers fought for the Boers
In my Afrikaans High School we had o'Reilly, Kennedy & o'Neil chaps, our history teacher & later headmaster was Mr Edwards. In Primary School our PT teacher was Mr Killeen.
Hi Chris, I think your videos are really fantastic. I really like your repeated showings of maps & personalities' photos, as this greatly helps with their retention in one's memory. I will put forth a video subject request! I really would be interested to learn more about the clash between Zulus and Boers mentioned in your overview. I had not realized this occured simultaneously during the 2nd Anglo-Boer War. Best wishes and thanks again, Alexander
Many thanks Alexander. I will add your request to my ever-growing list! Please do subscribe (& hit the bell icon when you do) so you don't miss my next video.
Well done!!!! As a South African with ties to the Afrikanders and the U.K, I find your unbiased rendering of this video refreshing. You might try pronouncing the word uitlanders as"atelanders" while not perfect, it will sound much closer to the South African pronounciation. Looking forward to your next effort.
My 3X great-uncle served with the 2nd Btn, Seaforth Highlanders during the Boer War, and survived Magersfontein and the rest of Black Week. He was from Co. Mayo in Connacht, Ireland.
Thank you, a great summary, well researched and balanced. I have subscribed. The evil concentration camp policy, was, however, despicable and a gross crime against humanity. This policy incurred the generational hatred of British people, by members of the current boer tribe in SA. They do not see themselves as being of the same group of liberal Afrikaners, often referrred to as "veraaiers" or "hensopppers". There is a deep split and division in Afrikaner society, even to this day. This might still become a factor in future South African history. I am a bilingual South African, former SADF infantry officer with bush war experience.
The Boers thought it was very rude of the British cavalry to use sabers and lances. They thought that stabbing and cutting weapons were the weapons of the savage: civilized people used guns to kill eachother, or so I read in Martin Bossenbroek.
@@mankaner Comrade. There I called him. Why don't you go and educate yourself on history. You clearly have no clue besides the colonial propaganda you've been indoctrinated with.
Hello, I'm David and I'm writing an academic paper about the history of South Africa in the context of colonialism. I would like to use the quote from David LIoyd George but I couldn't find it on any websites. Do you have a reputable source that I could use for this quote? It would be nice if you could answer. By the way, a compliment to the well-made video.
Well done Mr Green. South Africa was the prelude to WW1 and mostly an effort by Britain to control colonial powers, especially those with German leanings. Wars were now fought over commercial concerns rather than borders or religion.
I always find Smuts and Botha’s behaviour after the war very suspicious. The Transvaal wanted peace, but the Orange Freestate wanted to continue the war. Only after promises were made to retake independence at the first opportunity did the Freestate agree to peace talks. Then WW1 happened and Smuts and Botha went back on their word, even having to fight a rebellion in 1915. I’d love your take on the 1915 rebellion.
My grandmother's father and his brothers served with Kitchener; great-grandpa served in Egypt and Sudan and South Africa. His his brothers and sons served in South Africa and WWI under him. He is very highly thought of and respected in our family
Not sure I agree with your assessment that they are in the same league as Stalin and the German bloke, they certainly have a lot to answer for with regard to how South Africa turned out.
Growing up here in south africa I've done a lot of hiking here. Still loads of trenches and block houses just outside of Johannesburg. Literally a time warp
Brilliant video and presentation. Just one or two comments: 1) The new method of warfare was not the same as the Spanish Geurilla warfare it was rather, due to running out of artillery ammunition etc., a much faster moving Kommando method. 2) The main reason of the Groot Trek out of the Cape province was the brutal taxes and treatment of the Afrikaner by the english empire. 3) Thousands of Afrikaner women and children died on their way trying to get back to the farms with no protection -Exhaustion, Hunger, Thirst, Attacks by native tribes etc. In the last 20 years-at least 25 new anglo Boer women and children war grave yards has been discovered and these deaths were never recorded!
My great great grandmother was born in one of those camps. Her mother was a pregnant woman thrown into terrible conditions, not knowing whether her husband lived or not.
The first Australians to arrive in South Africa were Lancers returning from some ceremonial duty in England and when they heard the war had begun simply disembarked to join the fight
My Grandfather was in the Bor War...when he returned he spent time in Netley military Hospital Southampton then carried on his army life as a Military Policemen...he died in 1945 a couple of years before i was born...what great stories he could have told me...
I feel very bad to see two groups of very important people killing themselves. Today the Afrikaaner population could have been somewhere 15 million people. A very important step in advancibg the country. Just imagine a South Africa with 15 million whites. What a progressive nation would it be.
By God and by Mauser. Might I dare suggest a program about my father's old regiment the RCDs at the battle Lily Fountain? I believe they were awarded 3 VCs in one day. My family actually came from the Netherlands so somewhat a conflict of interest eh what?
I had one great grandfather that fought on the boer side until he was was shot through the leg and one grandfather that signed the red oath his farm was spared and not destroyed and he supplied horse feed to the British the bitter enders hated him for ever and a day my grandfathers sister married a uncle Bird White from Rhodesia one of the most pleasant people on this earth my best friend Warren Beaton one grandfather fought one the British side and the other one fought on the boer side the destruction of your home your way of life is a terrible thought kill all your life stock chop down all your fruit trees durn all your crop fields and leave you destitute war is a most terrible thing
Excellent summary as always! A couple of my take-aways: - The Boers wanted to keep slaves, so they left British territory. - Rhodes wanted the land they moved into, so he convinced the Brits to attack Sounds kinda like the way the Brits ran the Zulu out; changed the rules then enforce the new ones on the local or indigenous pop. Then get the locals/indigs to support their further efforts via threats to their families or bribes of power in the new regime. See: India, North America, North Africa...
Thanks for taking the time to share your insights from the video. Not sure I agree with them, but that is the joy of history. It’s all about perspectives
You will probably be very disappointed to find out that your ancestors were no doubt racist and believe that women’s places were in the home. The world was a very different place back in 1900
There is a concentration camp 15km from where I stay. I have never been there.....cant get myself to go there...how the boer war still has an effect on me today...I dont know what to make of that.
Pretty much they are seen as cowards due to that stat and the fact that they killed women and children in concentration camps and burned farms and cattle.
But the Boers taught the British a lesson, and the British learned to improve musketry skills, so when the Germans met the BEF in 1914, they thought that they were fighting a machine gun regiment, but it was rapid and accurate fire from the BEF rifles that slowed the Germans down, all thanks to lessons learned in South Africa some 14 years before..
Brett, you are correct. It is interesting that the British generals in WW1 are now seen as dinosaurs, whereas they had actually taken on a lot of the lessons from the Boer War (in other words they were willing to adapt).
Respectfully I would to ask you because I respect your treatment of subjects as to why there were no V.C's awarded to Australians and Rhodesians at Elands River(most Australians believe it was because of the actions of Lord Roberts, in order to keep it as low key) My Australian family have taken of part of almost all wars from the Maori Wars, a small part of Sudan, my own Great- Grandfather at Elands River in the Boer, WW1, WW2, Korea and Vietnam. I want bore you with to much detail that you will already know but I will say in brief the they for 12days were under siege by a large contingent of Boer fighters(the size differs)with Cannon(amount also differs) Lord Roberts within earshot of the siege with a force of 3,000 without actually seeing the battle decided via hearing the battle it was lost and returned without firing a shot. 3 days later Kitchener was told they were still fighting and led the rescue. When asked by Australian correspondents about the siege referred to it as a skirmish. He was asked that if it was only a skirmish why then did he lead a force of 10,000 men to relieve it. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote that when the Ballard Makers of Australia are looking for the Hero's of this war look no further than Elands River. I not now nor ever believe it's my right to maline any man who wears a uniform for his nation but there were far less actions in this war where V.C.'s were awarded. I myself have my Great Grandfather's journal of the time and battle that I am giving to the Australian War Memorial and it describes the battle in great detail. Do you or can you please if I may ask your opinion of this very important part of Australian military history. Respectfully, Shane
Also like to add the Koos de La Rey himself lead this force of between 2,000 to 3,000 troops highly praised the Australian and Rhodesians and question the action of their British Commanders..... it has always bothered me and I personally believe it to be a great injustice to our Australian and Rhodesians.
I lived in South Africa the whole of 1982. Mandela was still in prison on Robben Island. The country was beautiful, prosperous and safe. Once Mandela took over, it only took a few years for the whole country to descend into utter chaos … crime, disease, AIDS and corruption turned SA into another African hell hole. Just like Robert Mugabe did in Rhodesia and what Obama attempted to do in America. The people of South Africa will tell you that they wish the Boers were back in charge. Just ask.
My grandmother lost two siblings in the British concentration camps and never forgave the British for that. So you may consider my comments in that respect. Thank you for your presentation, it was very well made without the normal derisory or flagrant insults to the Boers that typifies most Anglo-Boer war documentaries. That is, right to the end where you started talking about black franchise. So here are a few comments. 1. White South Africans voted in 1992 to end apartheid which meant they gave black South Africans the vote. This was done willingly, so your statement saying "never" is thus outright wrong. 2. Reparations were not paid to the Boers who fought till the end (Bittereinders), rather it was paid to select joiners and hensopper (hands-uppers) only. South Africans managed to build themselves up financially without handouts. 3. Britain did not demand reparations because they took over the mines which they wanted in the first place and that gold and other minerals had paid for the war many times over. Yes, I realise SA got paid in taxes. 3. The Dutch language was allowed yes, but Boer children were mocked and given donkey ears for speaking their language in government schools. 4. Black tribes were recruited by the British and were allowed to round up Boer families in the veld. One can only imagine what happend to those unfortunate women and children. No wonder the Boers lost their motivation in the end. 5. Apartheid was not created by the Afrikaners. That dubious honour also belongs to the British, just like the concentration camps. The Boers just made apartheid law. Today there are many more "reverse-apartheid" laws in South Africa than anytime during apartheid, this time aimed at destroying whites financially and culturally with no one batting an eye.
It lead to the end of "Splendid Isolation". Much of the World outside of the Empire supported the Boers. Fun fact, Winston Churchill was captured by Italian Mercenaries. He kept that quiet.
Great summary , my great grandfather served in the Worcestershire Yeomanry in the Boer war and my home of Worcester has many links to that conflict and South Africa, so I always find this topic interesting. Thanks for posting!
A cracking yarn Chris, a story that fascinated me from childhood, my dear Dad took a job in SA, early 70's and I was sent to school near Jo'burg, on a school excursion we got off the bus to explore one of those Kitchener block houses, well i was hooked. Back home an elderly Boer woman sensing my interest gave me a book i can no longer recall the title, that seemed to ooze dust and khaki and the boer war has held fascination since. I hope to visit SA next year to see some of the sites mentioned in your vlog. huzzah for the history chap !! 'pip pip hooray '!!
Another excellent job my friend oh, it is a sad fact of history that it tends to repeat itself over and over. As Hagel one fed the thing we learn from history is that we do not learn from it. A sad episode of the British Empire with the concentration camps involving the Boer population. A tragedy which has two to be repeated by the Germans and the Americans oh, we have a history to of concentration camps of which we are not proud truth. We however must acknowledge our history so that we are not doomed to repeat it but however given our current political climate I am not so sure anymore.
Great episode! I am South African and farm in the Free State...😃 I love history and find the perralels between the battles during the first part af the Boer War and the 1st WW (western front) interisting! Maybe you can look at that in one of your episodes! Anyway I like you chanel
It still amazes me that only 12 years after 1902 so many South Africans (including Afrikaaners) volunteered to fight on the British side in WW1. Their Memorial at Delville Wood on the Somme is a 'must see'.
Do tell mate what was so tragic în the British history at that time? Not exterminating enough children? I think you mean tragic for Boer history..right?
The British were just stealing the land from the Boers who had originally stolen it from the blacks. Lots of stealing going on in South Africa at the time from both sides in the war.
Randomly found your channel, have been binge watching for the past few days. very informative and entertaining. I've learnt much about many forgotten wars and battles, many thanks.
The Boer war history and battles are fascinating, and this channel does a great job of educating - thank you. I realise that this war, set in Victorian times, and distant South Africa seems romantic to many. For us however, the death in concentration camps of 13-15% of the Boer Republic's civilian population (mostly children), the rape and brutal treatment of our women and the scorched earth policy of burning farms and killing livestock was a war crime which Britain never acknowledged, much less apologised for. Most Boer descendants don't hold this dark history against living Brittons, but we can also never forget, also because of how it affected our people's destiny. I'm currently observing Britain being invaded by illegal immigrants and what those invaders are doing to British culture, woman and children and I wonder how these clear injustices against the weak and defenseless are again allowed by the British people.
I disagree with your last comment completely. As for was not forgetting, I hope that they can accept black Africans, not forgetting about oppression during apartheid.
@@TheHistoryChap So who was the instigators of apartheid? It also came from your beloved country. The puppet masters of old are still applying the same methods. I will never forget the british barbaric methods.
I’ve just found this channel and I’m thoroughly enjoying it! Thank you! I used to compete in the Brickwoods Royal Navy Field Gun competition and I’d like to know more information about the Siege of Ladysmith of which the competition is in tribute to.
I am so glad that you have this on your list. As a former sailor who served in the Navy I have an avid interest in all aspects of naval history especially the landing of ships guns.
The Boers originally stole the land from the blacks, then the British stole the land from the Boers. Lots of stealing going on. Then when South Africa became a British colony, the Boers became the leaders in the government, and instituted apartheid. A sad history for the true owners of the land, the black South Africans.
Another great video Chris, but there are many, many myths about this conflict which need to be corrected. I'll name just a few: Firstly, in October 1899 there were only around 8,000 British troops stationed in the Cape. Hardly an army capable of invading the Boer republics which had a combined size of Spain. And not a single British soldier was present in either republic at the start of the war - but the Boers had already moved their troops into Natal and the Cape. Kruger, Kommandos and Kak by Chris Ash tells a more accurate story. Oh...and when Kruger fled the country, he took much of his nations wealth with him!
Absolutely, Mike. Lots of people see it as a war of British aggression but technically it was one of Boer aggression. Kruger probably thought the best line of attack was defence but nevertheless... ua-cam.com/users/TheHistoryChap
By the time the Boers delivered their ultimatum to Britain, the British were putting the final touches to their own ultimatum to the Boers. I agree with a lot of what Chris Ash writes, but there's a lot of spin in his writing too.
Superb historical analysis and narration of the 2nd British-Boer War. Appreciate the candor and frank insight into the geopolitical and horrendous consequences of this conflict between colonial powers. Of course, the great powers didn’t learn from the earlier Crimean War that preceded the Boer conflict, and the horrific world wars that’ll follow in the first half of the 20th century and thereafter. Now in the this new century, we are living through new wars in Ukraine, in Syria and other smaller conflicts-reminding us that human history despite its advances in science, rule of law, diplomacy and humanitarian morality, is and will always be plagued by the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse-death, famine, war and conquest. I supposed, the lesson and challenge of history is keeping these “horsemen” at bay and not letting them overwhelm human existence. Really appreciate your channel content.
Churchill said his father appeared to him in a dream denouncing Britain's aggression against the Boer republics. This was Churchill's euphemism for his personal opinion. Churchill, nevertheless, the war-dog that he was, relished the action. He was so impressed by the Boer "kommando" that he created an officer class in the British army, the Commander. The spot at Chievely, Natal, where he was captured by none other than Louis Botha, is marked with an obelisk. Worth a visit if you need to round out your bucket list.
I've watched the whole set of episodes now for a second and third time. Simply the "smoothest" history lessons. I've commented to you before, and I'll say it again. Fantastic narration, fantastic story, and fantastic classic approach to the art of Boer War history. I completely acclaim, you are the epitome of quality historical stories and scenes. Well done sir. I wish we were close by, for I would love to buy you a drink and enjoy your fabulous stories. Cheers my friend! 😊
I'm a 75 year old South African living in New Zealand for 22 years. I have just recommended your history program to my children for them to listen to. You have done an excellent job of research.
The younger generation of South Africans know basically nothing of this history. I am very pleased you made a strong mention of the long forgotten, Concentration Camps.
I also well remember an elderly Boer Lady telling me how they had to bury their precious polished dining room table in the earth on their farm, to prevent the British from destroying it.
The Boer Lady who told this account to me is long ago passed on.
Thank you for your good work. Erich, now living in New Zealand.
Thank you for your support.
@@TheHistoryChap what I find absolutely fantastic is how all the commanders on both sides of the conflict got their information.
We're so connected these modern days. But how on earth were they so well informed.?
Even in the earlier Khartoum expedition.
The circle has come full circle in crimea.
So depressed that the English government simply cannot stop creating a new war. Along with the cousins in America.
Hang af wie jy vra... Ons jong Afrikaaners is wel bewus van ons geskudenis, en ons is trots Afrikaans
I found this documentary one of the best I have seen.
@@5BoB as an english south african, i hope the afrikaners carry on being proud about their history and not let it die out in south africa!
War never changes. Even the winners of the war loose. Thank you for a good to the point summary.
Thanks for your comments.
Kitchner becomes a war criminal and disgraces his entire career. It once again showed that the British were capable of despicable actions against native populations
Thanks for watching my video
Well.....today they control the Global Elite and do as they wish to achieve their agendas. What happened to Lady Diana?
Not just the natives, they killed their own people, in 1820 there were British settlers already. Killing more than 28000 women and children. They were barbaric.
...and as a Brit now living in South Africa, I can honestly say that this is the best account of the Boer War that I have ever seen..well done!
Very kind of you. Thanks.
Proud of you sir
Baie dankie, ons waardeer die waarheid
Thank you for watching
As an American I'd heard of the Boer War but as a child I couldn't find much about it. Thanks so much for your many episodes of this time in history, I now understand what this was all about. Much continued success with your work, I just finished watching the episode describing Thomas Jones' exploits in WW I. Thanks again
Very much an over view but I hope that it helped you.
Thomas Packenhams book will be of interest to you then .... find it " Boer War by Thomas Packenham " !!!
Thanks for another great history lesson! I’ve joined your channel recently and now watch a video every night, I must say these are fascinating retellings of historical events. I’ve really enjoyed learning about the British empires exploits from the Crimean war to the boar war, keep posting and thanks for all your hard work and endeavour 👏
Thank you for your support. Glad you are enjoying.
Thank you for a very well balanced exposition on the Anglo Boer war. I am the grandson of a British born grandfather who as a young boy was at the siege of Potchefstroom he fought fought for the Transvaal Republic captured while protecting Paul Kruger who was fleeing to Mozambique. After my G/f capture he was sent to Tuckers Island.
Thanks for watching my video & for taking the time to share your family story
At my Afrikaans High School, our headmaster was a Mr Edwards, thanks for sharing.
What a fascinating story. Clearly told. Clarity of the issues. High energy presentation. Thank you.
You're very welcome
My great-great grandfather fought in this war in the mounted infantry. He joined up in 1900 aged about 19 or 20 and was involved in one mini battle that went on for seven hours before he was captured by the Boers. He was a prisoner for a while before he and some of his comrades were released and welcomed home. Afterwards he married and fathered three daughters and settled down to life as a shoe riveter. He was called up again as a reservist in 1914 as an 'Old Contemptible' in the BEF and briefly made Lance Corporal until a German prisoner of war escaped while he was guarding him. He was killed at the Somme during the German advance of 1918. We have one photograph of him in our family from when he was 10 years old but sadly nothing else. It's my big dream in life to find a picture of him because I'm sure that there's one out there somewhere.
Wow what a fascinating family story. I wish you well in your quest for a phtograph.
@@TheHistoryChap Thank you! Glad you enjoyed my family story, finding a picture or enhancing & CG aging our family picture will be tricky but not impossible I'm sure 😊
Sympathy for your Great Great Grandfather. How much did true wealth did Britain lose with the sacrifice of such men in these two, unnecessary (in my humble opinion) wars?
What could this man of such loyalty and commitment have gone on to achieve in his life. Treasure lost.
Both my Grandfathers survived the Great War. My Paternal Grandfather was a regular army (Black Watch) and Old Contemptible and my Maternal Grandfather was shot through the chest in 1916 but survived.
@@presterjohn4123 Thank you for your kind words. I agree sort of in the sense that war in general is very wasteful and tragic, whether it's necessary or unnecessary. I'm glad that your grandfathers made it through the war though 🥲
I know the world will tell you otherwise but we Boers are actually loving people. Don't like conflict. Just some freedom.
Another great episode Chris. I really enjoy the information and especially your enthusiastic storytelling. Interesting and exciting at the same time, it draws the viewer in 100%.
That’s very kind of you. Thanks for watching my videos. Plenty more coming in 2023
Looking forward to them Chris, well done!
(
I'm glad that you're not a chap who is intent on taking a cheap low blow at our Country, it's just a channel which accurately depicts history of the 19th and 20th Centuries..... well done mate!!!
Many thanks.
Great video, I agree with almost everything you said, but I think your statement at 25:00 is not fair. These territories were given to black people. They were called Bantustans, each tribe had one, many were bigger than European countries and in these territories they had self government. These Bantustans consisted of territory that was traditionally occupied by the tribes, with additional land gifted by the Boere. When Bantu people moved down from central Africa they settled along the north and east coast in the most fertile parts. This means that the Bantustans have the most fertile ground of all of SA. Platinum was discovered in the Bantustan of Bophuthatswana and the Boers never tried to take it. The most platinum rich deposits in the world still belong to the Royal Bafukeng Tribe. The Transvaal territory was bought from black people in the 1800's with thousands of cattle and these contracts still exist.
Excellently done and researched . Luxembourg, where I am from also has many ties to South Africa .Have been there so many times , just love the country - thanks for bringing all its history back to life. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for watching.
thanks for explaining a part of our history that we didn't learn about in our school, i started my education in 1959 up to 1970 and it was almost all about our glorious past, in fact i do remember once celebrating empire day. i thank my secondary school history teacher Geoff Barret for instilling in me the interest i still have in our historical past, both good or bad. i came here from your corporal jack jones video. thanks.
Thanks for watching & I'm glad that you enjoyed it.
What ‘good’?
Excellent video as usual, Chris. The main gateway into St.Stephen's Green Park in Dublin is a monument to the Irish Regiments who served in S.Africa. The more anti British element in Dublin refer to it as, the Traitor's Gate. However, the Irish Regiments served with great valour and distinction.
Thanks for sharing that information, Rob.
Best wishes,
Chris
ua-cam.com/users/TheHistoryChap
Another fantastic video Chris. Delivered in your usual expert, eloquent, style.
Glad you enjoyed it.
Thanks for posting this. My Great Grand Father was the last President of the NZ Boer War Veterans Association when they wound up in the early 1970's. He served in the Colonial Light Horse and Bushmanland Borderers irregulars.
I bet he had some stories to tell.
...refreshingly honest representation of the Boer War...thank you for that!!!👌
Thanks for watching & your comment.
The actual term ‘concentration camp’ was invented by the Spanish (as campo de concentración or campo de reconcentración) in 1896 - three years before the 2nd Anglo-Boer War (1899 - 1904) started. It originated during The Cuban War of Independence (Guerra de Independencia cubana, 1895-98) was the last of three liberation wars that Cuba fought against Spain. In the end 225,000 ‘non combatant’ Cuban civilians died in just 18 months between 1896 and 1897. That is some number, nearly a quarter of a million Cubans.
Another forgotten bit of history...not least because more people want to knock the British Empire than the Spanish.
Agreed! Also The Philippine-American War February 4, 1899, to July 2, 1902. American started instituting a pacification campaign that combined several counterinsurgency tactics. Insurgent fighters captured by U.S. forces were dealt with swiftly through deportation, imprisonment or execution, while tens of thousands of civilians were herded into “zones of protection” to protect them and prevent them from joining guerrilla bands. These “reconcentrados,” or concentration camps, were as reported in the Ledger at the time. One camp commandant referred to them as the “suburbs of hell.” So yes not a British idea, and not to be confuse with WW2 concentration camps which people continue to make the mistake. The aim in South Africa wasn’t systematic murder.
Interesting. I had a relative that fought in the Boer war, later sent to India, then France at the outbreak of WW1, where he was wounded. After recuperation he was sent to Mesopotamia where he was shot and killed by Ottoman Turks, outside Basra, a week after being promoted to Lieutenant .
His medals are on display apparently, in the Black Watch museum.
Whenever Basra was mentioned during the war in Iraq, my thoughts always drifted to him and his comrades.
As for the policy of containment in Concentration camps. It should have been obvious that disease would break out. The British had already lost many troops to disease.
Not our finest hour but I think it is a bit of a stretch to blame the British for Apartheid.
That I think, is down to Boer policies, their thinking, as I understand it, is that they were the ones that fought for the country and therefore the only ones that deserved to have the vote.
Britain would had to have kept a standing army there to ensure otherwise. This would have negated the agreement with the Boers as regards their self governance.
The losses suffered by both sides hardened attitudes, in my opinion.
Interesting also the famous men who fought in that war. Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes, was to use his experience there to form the character of Holmes's friend and companion, Dr. Watson.
Churchill's escape from the Boers did no harm to his political ambitions.
Baden Powell went on to adapt his training for young boys in the Scouts and Kitchener was lost on board a destroyer, allegedly taking gold to Russia to keep them in WW1. His face, famously being used as a recruitment poster, during the war.
These snippets of history, resound like echoes from the past, fascinating. Thanks for uploading.
Steven, thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.
I certainly don't think the British were to blame for Apartheid, but I lived in SA and the concentration camp period is deeply seared into Afrikaaner souls.
Best wishes
ua-cam.com/users/TheHistoryChap
Ridiculous to blame the British for apartheid, it was always a Boer policy. However, the British concentration camps, whilst nothing like as bad as their Nazi namesake, were nevertheless places of (deliberate?) neglect that led to many unnecessary deaths of Boer women and children, unforgiveable!
For someone who loves and studies world history and is now deeply studying the Boer war, i thank you for sharing this personal insight. Fascinating👍
@@TheHistoryChap - I grew up in South Africa, a descendent of English settlers in 1852 (Grahamstown) and French Huegenot settlers in 1682. Without those concentration camps, the hardliners may never gained control in 1948, and apartheid may never been implemented. And my maternal grandfather would not have been arrested along with Madiba and gaoled for 15 years for his part in the ANC. I met him for the first time in 1980, when I was 14 years old.
A good summation of events and balanced perspective of the events. The lessons Britain learned in this grubby conflict may have saved the army in 1914. Sadly, today SA is a shadow of its former self, whatever racial group or nationality people are from. Domination of the different groups by an aggressive group of whatever background will eventually tear the country apart, I fear. I can't help wondering if after 1994 it would have been better to allow a 'natural ' division if the country to have taken place. The ANC would never have sanctioned that of course, but their abysmal rule cannot survive another quartet of a century. The problem may be hothead like Malena will fill the vacuum and all he'll will break loose.
Hi John,
Glad you enjoyed my video.
You've raised a lot of good and sad points.
Chris
ua-cam.com/users/TheHistoryChap
Blacks are the original and natural inhabitants of South Africa and Africa . They are the natives .
Also they are 80% of the population .
So it is but natural that they should dominate South Africa .
The Asians ( Chinese And Indians ) , Whites and the Coloureds are immigrants and they should know that and behave accordingly .
Yes , the ANC is absolutely terrible but South Africa should never be divided .
Because South Africa belongs to the Blacks first and foremost .
Not the other immigrant groups like Asians or Whites or Coloureds .
@@bobfaam5215 Actually the Black Bantus who make up 80% of the population in South Africa are also not the original native inhabitants. The only truly first native inhabitants are the KhoiSan, who make up less than 1% of the population today.
@@bobfaam5215 The blacks in SA today arrived approximately the same time as whites from to the north of SA.
I think you missed one interesting fact. That the Liverpudlian soldiers at Spiro Kop went back to Liverpool and named the steep terrace at Anfield Football Ground "the Kop" due to the resemblance to the hill. IN fact many steep terraces got the name but it only stuck at Anfield as it was the biggest in the UK.
Thanks for sharing.
Ever travel to Loftus Rd? Offices and main stand are on the other side of QPR's stadium, on South Africa Rd. The away end is approached via Bloemfontein Rd. One of the stands is on Ellerslie Rd, which has a small street running off it called Bloemfontein Ave. The second closest pub to the ground was called General Smuts.
Spion Kop...the Kop was adopted by many northern teams, though Birmingham City had one that ran down the side of the stadium. Most are gone because their stadiums got rebuilt or knocked down.
@@TheBostonR Thanks, very intersting. I did know about two, but not others in such close proximity.
The correct spelling is actually "Spioenkop" (spioen = spy & kop = head or rocky isolated roundish mountain) basically "Spy mountain"
A crisp and informative overview of the conflict. However, like you, I thought that the term “concentration camp” first came from the Second Boer War. So, I was surprised to hear last week, on the “History Debunked” UA-cam Channel, that the tactic was said to originate at least several decades earlier in Cuba. In fact, one correspondent argued that such a policy was used by the Romans, at the time of the Second Jewish Revolt against their Empire. Thus, perhaps in history there truly is “Nothing new under the Sun.”
George, you are right about Cuba, but the term was first used in the House of Commons.
@@TheHistoryChap Thanks for the clarification.
Great video today thanks Chris and I'm looking forward to seeing more of your stuff on this
Thanks Cameron.
Working on the Jameson Raid as we speak.
Aiming to release early next week.
Wow. I knew almost nothing about this conflict so your narrative was really eye opening. Thanks for what you do, friend.
Thanks for watching. Glad you found it interesting.
Good narration. Good images, map.
Thanks
Glad you enjoyed my video, thanks for watching.
Great video Chris. Maybe you can do a video on the Irish who fought in this war. They fought on both sides. Today I come across Afrikaners with Irish surnames from that time whose forefathers fought for the Boers
I mention some of them in my video about who captured Winston Churchill.
In my Afrikaans High School we had o'Reilly, Kennedy & o'Neil chaps, our history teacher & later headmaster was Mr Edwards. In Primary School our PT teacher was Mr Killeen.
There is a Mount Baden-Powell named after the man in the San Gabriel mountains north of Los Angeles, where I live. 9,400' elevation, I've climbed it!
Nice one!
ua-cam.com/users/TheHistoryChap
Hi Chris,
I think your videos are really fantastic. I really like your repeated showings of maps & personalities' photos, as this greatly helps with their retention in one's memory.
I will put forth a video subject request! I really would be interested to learn more about the clash between Zulus and Boers mentioned in your overview. I had not realized this occured simultaneously during the 2nd Anglo-Boer War.
Best wishes and thanks again,
Alexander
Many thanks Alexander.
I will add your request to my ever-growing list!
Please do subscribe (& hit the bell icon when you do) so you don't miss my next video.
Fascinating. Shared with several friends
Thank you, I am very grateful for your support.
Check out my latest videos from the Boer War: ua-cam.com/users/TheHistoryChap
Well done!!!! As a South African with ties to the Afrikanders and the U.K, I find your unbiased rendering of this video refreshing. You might try pronouncing the word uitlanders as"atelanders" while not perfect, it will sound much closer to the South African pronounciation. Looking forward to your next effort.
Lionel, thanks for your kind words.
Good job 👍
Just watch “ Boer War “ yesterday
But with your ; Summary made me clear
Keep Up The Good Job 😁😃👍👍💪🏻💪🏻🙏🏻
Glad I was able to make things clearer. Thanks for watching.
My 3X great-uncle served with the 2nd Btn, Seaforth Highlanders during the Boer War, and survived Magersfontein and the rest of Black Week. He was from Co. Mayo in Connacht, Ireland.
Thanks for watching my video & for sharing your family story.
Brilliantly researched and presented.
Pronunciation Uitlander pronounced 8lander
Thank you for watching
Thank you, a great summary, well researched and balanced. I have subscribed.
The evil concentration camp policy, was, however, despicable and a gross crime against humanity. This policy incurred the generational hatred of British people, by members of the current boer tribe in SA. They do not see themselves as being of the same group of liberal Afrikaners, often referrred to as "veraaiers" or "hensopppers". There is a deep split and division in Afrikaner society, even to this day. This might still become a factor in future South African history.
I am a bilingual South African, former SADF infantry officer with bush war experience.
Firstly thanks for your support. Thanks for watching my video and for your interesting feedback.
The Boers thought it was very rude of the British cavalry to use sabers and lances. They thought that stabbing and cutting weapons were the weapons of the savage: civilized people used guns to kill eachother, or so I read in Martin Bossenbroek.
They certainly didn't like bayonet charges.
Thanks for commenting.
Chris
As a black Man in South Africa watching this, I have no words really
Nevertheless, thank you for taking the time to comment.
I feel you my brother.
2 uitlanders fighting over land that did not even belong to them.
I also have no words.
@@brucebosch9362 ag asb. jy ken duidelik nie geskiedenis nie. why dont you just call him comrade 🤣
@@mankaner Comrade. There I called him. Why don't you go and educate yourself on history. You clearly have no clue besides the colonial propaganda you've been indoctrinated with.
Hello, I'm David and I'm writing an academic paper about the history of South Africa in the context of colonialism. I would like to use the quote from David LIoyd George but I couldn't find it on any websites. Do you have a reputable source that I could use for this quote? It would be nice if you could answer. By the way, a compliment to the well-made video.
I believe it is recorded in Hansard.
Well done Mr Green. South Africa was the prelude to WW1 and mostly an effort by Britain to control colonial powers, especially those with German leanings. Wars were now fought over commercial concerns rather than borders or religion.
Thanks for taking the time to add your comments. ua-cam.com/users/TheHistoryChap
I always find Smuts and Botha’s behaviour after the war very suspicious. The Transvaal wanted peace, but the Orange Freestate wanted to continue the war. Only after promises were made to retake independence at the first opportunity did the Freestate agree to peace talks. Then WW1 happened and Smuts and Botha went back on their word, even having to fight a rebellion in 1915. I’d love your take on the 1915 rebellion.
Thanks for the suggestion. Will add to my list.
@@TheHistoryChap In your own time sir, I only recently discovered your channel. I’m enjoying you war of the roses at the moment
Yes. Very good. Educational and very exciting. I am never disappointed.
Very kind of you.
My grandmother's father and his brothers served with Kitchener; great-grandpa served in Egypt and Sudan and South Africa. His his brothers and sons served in South Africa and WWI under him.
He is very highly thought of and respected in our family
That was very interesting thank you again
Glad you enjoyed my video, thanks
Thank you so much...❤
My pleasure. Thanks for watching. Please make sure you have subscribed to my YT channel.
Rhodes, Chamberlain and especially Kitchener. They all in the same league as Stalin and that other German guy. Real villains of history.
Not sure I agree with your assessment that they are in the same league as Stalin and the German bloke, they certainly have a lot to answer for with regard to how South Africa turned out.
Incredibly, Jan Smuts became the founder of the Royal Air Force.
Thanks for watching my video & your comment.
Showing the map of the British Empire during the Boer war is astonishing the amount of land the British occupied
Indeed it was, and it wasn't merely by military oppression.
Another interesting video!
Thank you. Do you remember that there was a board in the clubhouse of GRC naming all their rowers who served in this war?
Growing up here in south africa I've done a lot of hiking here. Still loads of trenches and block houses just outside of Johannesburg. Literally a time warp
Thanks for sharing
Brilliant video and presentation. Just one or two comments: 1) The new method of warfare was not the same as the Spanish Geurilla warfare it was rather, due to running out of artillery ammunition etc., a much faster moving Kommando method.
2) The main reason of the Groot Trek out of the Cape province was the brutal taxes and treatment of the Afrikaner by the english empire. 3) Thousands of Afrikaner women and children died on their way trying to get back to the farms with no protection -Exhaustion, Hunger, Thirst, Attacks by native tribes etc. In the last 20 years-at least 25 new anglo Boer women and children war grave yards has been discovered and these deaths were never recorded!
Thank you for taking the time to comment
Excellent video
Thank you John.
Please check out my latest video on The Jameson Raid - a precursor to the Boer War.
@@TheHistoryChap will do
Really enjoyed your presentation
Thanks, Gary.
ua-cam.com/users/TheHistoryChap
Another very, enjoyable, video my friend...
My pleasure. Thanks for your continuing support.
Great stuff 👍
Thank you.
For what he did in this conflict, I think that Kitchener is the most despicable figure in British military history
Thank you for taking the time to share your opinion.
My great great grandmother was born in one of those camps. Her mother was a pregnant woman thrown into terrible conditions, not knowing whether her husband lived or not.
Thank you for sharing
The first Australians to arrive in South Africa were Lancers returning from some ceremonial duty in England and when they heard the war had begun simply disembarked to join the fight
And why wouldn't you? :)
@@TheHistoryChap
Right
My Grandfather was in the Bor War...when he returned he spent time in Netley military Hospital Southampton then carried on his army life as a Military Policemen...he died in 1945 a couple of years before i was born...what great stories he could have told me...
Netley Hospital would make a fascinating story.
The lack of records is annoying. Several rflatives fought in the Boer War but no records seem to remain.
How annoying for your research.
What about the Australian forces Breaker Morant.
On my list for the future.
I feel very bad to see two groups of very important people killing themselves. Today the Afrikaaner population could have been somewhere 15 million people. A very important step in advancibg the country. Just imagine a South Africa with 15 million whites. What a progressive nation would it be.
I’m interested to know how you think the population of Afrikaners could stand at 15 million
By God and by Mauser.
Might I dare suggest a program about my father's old regiment the RCDs at the battle Lily Fountain? I believe they were awarded 3 VCs in one day.
My family actually came from the Netherlands so somewhat a conflict of interest eh what?
Robert, thank you for the suggestion.
I will add to my (ever-growing) list.
Best wishes
Chris
Pronunciation of the Afrikaner names and places is lacking, Otherwise an Impeccable video.
😵😱☠️🇬🇧🆘😳💪
Fantastic Fact's 🎬🤔
🗣️💯🇬🇧👍
Thank you for THEIR STORY'S 🥺✌️🤫🧐🙏😇
My please
excellent but I think you should be doing podcasts.
Coming soon.
The fighting style by the Boer's is from Confederate Army General Joe Hooker from 1060-1865.
Thanks for sharing.
I had one great grandfather that fought on the boer side until he was was shot through the leg and one grandfather that signed the red oath his farm was spared and not destroyed and he supplied horse feed to the British the bitter enders hated him for ever and a day my grandfathers sister married a uncle Bird White from Rhodesia one of the most pleasant people on this earth my best friend Warren Beaton one grandfather fought one the British side and the other one fought on the boer side the destruction of your home your way of life is a terrible thought kill all your life stock chop down all your fruit trees durn all your crop fields and leave you destitute war is a most terrible thing
Thank you for sharing that poignant family story.
Excellent summary as always!
A couple of my take-aways:
- The Boers wanted to keep slaves, so they left British territory.
- Rhodes wanted the land they moved into, so he convinced the Brits to attack
Sounds kinda like the way the Brits ran the Zulu out; changed the rules then enforce the new ones on the local or indigenous pop. Then get the locals/indigs to support their further efforts via threats to their families or bribes of power in the new regime. See: India, North America, North Africa...
Thanks for taking the time to share your insights from the video. Not sure I agree with them, but that is the joy of history. It’s all about perspectives
Good overview.
Thank you.
I’m pretty disappointed we as New Zealand participated. I guess it’s the way it was. But feel guilty.
You will probably be very disappointed to find out that your ancestors were no doubt racist and believe that women’s places were in the home. The world was a very different place back in 1900
@@TheHistoryChap I guess you are right.
There is a concentration camp 15km from where I stay. I have never been there.....cant get myself to go there...how the boer war still has an effect on me today...I dont know what to make of that.
Sad events that cast a long shadow over South Africa.
600 000 vs 60 000
That’s about it
Pretty much they are seen as cowards due to that stat and the fact that they killed women and children in concentration camps and burned farms and cattle.
Kitchener used similar tactics to the Butcher Cumberland following Culloden, no refuge
And, in a nasty way, it worked.
But the Boers taught the British a lesson, and the British learned to improve musketry skills, so when the Germans met the BEF in 1914, they thought that they were fighting a machine gun regiment, but it was rapid and accurate fire from the BEF rifles that slowed the Germans down, all thanks to lessons learned in South Africa some 14 years before..
Brett, you are correct. It is interesting that the British generals in WW1 are now seen as dinosaurs, whereas they had actually taken on a lot of the lessons from the Boer War (in other words they were willing to adapt).
Very good.
Thanks, Patrick.
Next up is The Jameson Raid.
In the meantime check out my other videos: ua-cam.com/users/TheHistoryChap
Respectfully I would to ask you because I respect your treatment of subjects as to why there were no V.C's awarded to Australians and Rhodesians at Elands River(most Australians believe it was because of the actions of Lord Roberts, in order to keep it as low key)
My Australian family have taken of part of almost all wars from the Maori Wars, a small part of Sudan, my own Great- Grandfather at Elands River in the Boer, WW1, WW2, Korea and Vietnam.
I want bore you with to much detail that you will already know but I will say in brief the they for 12days were under siege by a large contingent of Boer fighters(the size differs)with Cannon(amount also differs)
Lord Roberts within earshot of the siege with a force of 3,000 without actually seeing the battle decided via hearing the battle it was lost and returned without firing a shot. 3 days later Kitchener was told they were still fighting and led the rescue. When asked by Australian correspondents about the siege referred to it as a skirmish. He was asked that if it was only a skirmish why then did he lead a force of 10,000 men to relieve it.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote that when the Ballard Makers of Australia are looking for the Hero's of this war look no further than Elands River.
I not now nor ever believe it's my right to maline any man who wears a uniform for his nation but there were far less actions in this war where V.C.'s were awarded. I myself have my Great Grandfather's journal of the time and battle that I am giving to the Australian War Memorial and it describes the battle in great detail. Do you or can you please if I may ask your opinion of this very important part of Australian military history. Respectfully, Shane
Also like to add the Koos de La Rey himself lead this force of between 2,000 to 3,000 troops highly praised the Australian and Rhodesians and question the action of their British Commanders..... it has always bothered me and I personally believe it to be a great injustice to our Australian and Rhodesians.
Thanks for highlighting this particular action and your connection to it.
The glint of gold and the sparkle of the diamond in the eye brings out the blackness in the heart.
The Brits already had the diamonds.
Sounds like the seeds of greed
I lived in South Africa the whole of 1982. Mandela was still in prison on Robben Island. The country was beautiful, prosperous and safe. Once Mandela took over, it only took a few years for the whole country to descend into utter chaos … crime, disease, AIDS and corruption turned SA into another African hell hole. Just like Robert Mugabe did in Rhodesia and what Obama attempted to do in America. The people of South Africa will tell you that they wish the Boers were back in charge. Just ask.
Thank you for taking the time to comment.
Mandela and Obama were great leaders. Your racist hate is ugly and disgusting.
Amen!
I remember when Rhodesia was the " jewel of Africa " & South Africa was a great country.
My grandmother lost two siblings in the British concentration camps and never forgave the British for that. So you may consider my comments in that respect.
Thank you for your presentation, it was very well made without the normal derisory or flagrant insults to the Boers that typifies most Anglo-Boer war documentaries. That is, right to the end where you started talking about black franchise. So here are a few comments.
1. White South Africans voted in 1992 to end apartheid which meant they gave black South Africans the vote. This was done willingly, so your statement saying "never" is thus outright wrong.
2. Reparations were not paid to the Boers who fought till the end (Bittereinders), rather it was paid to select joiners and hensopper (hands-uppers) only. South Africans managed to build themselves up financially without handouts.
3. Britain did not demand reparations because they took over the mines which they wanted in the first place and that gold and other minerals had paid for the war many times over. Yes, I realise SA got paid in taxes.
3. The Dutch language was allowed yes, but Boer children were mocked and given donkey ears for speaking their language in government schools.
4. Black tribes were recruited by the British and were allowed to round up Boer families in the veld. One can only imagine what happend to those unfortunate women and children. No wonder the Boers lost their motivation in the end.
5. Apartheid was not created by the Afrikaners. That dubious honour also belongs to the British, just like the concentration camps. The Boers just made apartheid law.
Today there are many more "reverse-apartheid" laws in South Africa than anytime during apartheid, this time aimed at destroying whites financially and culturally with no one batting an eye.
Thanks for the feedback
10 Englishmen to one Dutchman, well that's a reasonable comparison.
It lead to the end of "Splendid Isolation". Much of the World outside of the Empire supported the Boers. Fun fact, Winston Churchill was captured by Italian Mercenaries. He kept that quiet.
Love your fun fact.
And escaped 👍
Not that quiet film made about his life ,young winston tells about it and his escape.
@@TheHistoryChap why did Mandela get a statue in London and not Emily hob house.
Was she considered a traitor.?
Mandela was a terrorist and was lucky not to be executed as such
A black week for the British army, followed by a dark cloud for allowing so many deaths in those camps. Thanks for sharing.
Concentrations camps not Britains finest hour.
"allowing so many deaths" it was orchestrated genocide.
@@TheHistoryChap As well as the scorched earth policy. Disgraceful and barbaric to say the very least.
Great summary , my great grandfather served in the Worcestershire Yeomanry in the Boer war and my home of Worcester has many links to that conflict and South Africa, so I always find this topic interesting. Thanks for posting!
My pleasure. Did you spot the picture of the memorial outside Worcester Cathedral that I used near the end of the video?
That compensation was never paid to the Boers by Briitain.
Really? Thanks for sharing your knowledge
My Great, great, great Grandfather was Christiaan De Wet. The epitome of Boer toughness and resilience.
Thanks for watching my video & for sharing the identity of your great, great great Grandfather. Your family must have some very interesting stories.
A cracking yarn Chris, a story that fascinated me from childhood, my dear Dad took a job in SA, early 70's and I was sent to school near Jo'burg, on a school excursion we got off the bus to explore one of those Kitchener block houses, well i was hooked. Back home an elderly Boer woman sensing my interest gave me a book i can no longer recall the title, that seemed to ooze dust and khaki and the boer war has held fascination since. I hope to visit SA next year to see some of the sites mentioned in your vlog. huzzah for the history chap !! 'pip pip hooray '!!
Strangely enough my dad got a job in SA in the 70's too.
That's where my fascination with the Zulu War started. ua-cam.com/users/TheHistoryChap
Another excellent job my friend oh, it is a sad fact of history that it tends to repeat itself over and over. As Hagel one fed the thing we learn from history is that we do not learn from it. A sad episode of the British Empire with the concentration camps involving the Boer population. A tragedy which has two to be repeated by the Germans and the Americans oh, we have a history to of concentration camps of which we are not proud truth. We however must acknowledge our history so that we are not doomed to repeat it but however given our current political climate I am not so sure anymore.
Great episode!
I am South African and farm in the Free State...😃
I love history and find the perralels between the battles during the first part af the Boer War and the 1st WW (western front) interisting!
Maybe you can look at that in one of your episodes!
Anyway I like you chanel
Glad you are enjoying. Trying to give a balanced view of events but accept that I am probably not totally neutral. Thanks for the video suggestion.
It still amazes me that only 12 years after 1902 so many South Africans (including Afrikaaners) volunteered to fight on the British side in WW1. Their Memorial at Delville Wood on the Somme is a 'must see'.
An incredible sacrifice that is rarely mentioned in Britain.
Very moving and tragic period in British history.
Qell done Chris for telling this story
Thank you for your kind words.
Check out my very latest video:
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Do tell mate what was so tragic în the British history at that time? Not exterminating enough children? I think you mean tragic for Boer history..right?
The British were just stealing the land from the Boers who had originally stolen it from the blacks. Lots of stealing going on in South Africa at the time from both sides in the war.
@@HellStr82 tragic that they didn't blow Winston churchills arse off .
@@HellStr82 Basically. The British killed an entire generation of Boer children.
Randomly found your channel, have been binge watching for the past few days. very informative and entertaining. I've learnt much about many forgotten wars and battles, many thanks.
My pleasure. I’m glad that you are enjoying my different talks.
The Boer war history and battles are fascinating, and this channel does a great job of educating - thank you. I realise that this war, set in Victorian times, and distant South Africa seems romantic to many. For us however, the death in concentration camps of 13-15% of the Boer Republic's civilian population (mostly children), the rape and brutal treatment of our women and the scorched earth policy of burning farms and killing livestock was a war crime which Britain never acknowledged, much less apologised for. Most Boer descendants don't hold this dark history against living Brittons, but we can also never forget, also because of how it affected our people's destiny. I'm currently observing Britain being invaded by illegal immigrants and what those invaders are doing to British culture, woman and children and I wonder how these clear injustices against the weak and defenseless are again allowed by the British people.
I disagree with your last comment completely. As for was not forgetting, I hope that they can accept black Africans, not forgetting about oppression during apartheid.
What goes around comes around. Their past is quickly catching up.
@@TheHistoryChap So who was the instigators of apartheid? It also came from your beloved country. The puppet masters of old are still applying the same methods. I will never forget the british barbaric methods.
I’ve just found this channel and I’m thoroughly enjoying it! Thank you!
I used to compete in the Brickwoods Royal Navy Field Gun competition and I’d like to know more information about the Siege of Ladysmith of which the competition is in tribute to.
David, thanks for requesting. It is on my list (especially as my old father-in-law competed in the Field Gun competition at the Royal Tournament.
I am so glad that you have this on your list. As a former sailor who served in the Navy I have an avid interest in all aspects of naval history especially the landing of ships guns.
Let us not forget what the Boers did on independence …apartheid
Absolutely. Good shout.
The Boers originally stole the land from the blacks, then the British stole the land from the Boers. Lots of stealing going on. Then when South Africa became a British colony, the Boers became the leaders in the government, and instituted apartheid. A sad history for the true owners of the land, the black South Africans.
you mean british loyalists with your british colonial habits
Another great video Chris, but there are many, many myths about this conflict which need to be corrected. I'll name just a few: Firstly, in October 1899 there were only around 8,000 British troops stationed in the Cape. Hardly an army capable of invading the Boer republics which had a combined size of Spain. And not a single British soldier was present in either republic at the start of the war - but the Boers had already moved their troops into Natal and the Cape. Kruger, Kommandos and Kak by Chris Ash tells a more accurate story. Oh...and when Kruger fled the country, he took much of his nations wealth with him!
Absolutely, Mike.
Lots of people see it as a war of British aggression but technically it was one of Boer aggression.
Kruger probably thought the best line of attack was defence but nevertheless...
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By the time the Boers delivered their ultimatum to Britain, the British were putting the final touches to their own ultimatum to the Boers. I agree with a lot of what Chris Ash writes, but there's a lot of spin in his writing too.
Dit was nie die Boere Oorlog nie. Dit was die Engelse Oorlog. Daai klomp Engelse het die oorlog begin.
Actually, I think you will find that the buzz invaded the British colonies as a pre-emptive strike.
Superb historical analysis and narration of the 2nd British-Boer War. Appreciate the candor and frank insight into the geopolitical and horrendous consequences of this conflict between colonial powers. Of course, the great powers didn’t learn from the earlier Crimean War that preceded the Boer conflict, and the horrific world wars that’ll follow in the first half of the 20th century and thereafter. Now in the this new century, we are living through new wars in Ukraine, in Syria and other smaller conflicts-reminding us that human history despite its advances in science, rule of law, diplomacy and humanitarian morality, is and will always be plagued by the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse-death, famine, war and conquest. I supposed, the lesson and challenge of history is keeping these “horsemen” at bay and not letting them overwhelm human existence. Really appreciate your channel content.
I'm glad that you enjoyed this video and thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Let's try to keep the Four Horsemen at bay.
Churchill said his father appeared to him in a dream denouncing Britain's aggression against the Boer republics. This was Churchill's euphemism for his personal opinion. Churchill, nevertheless, the war-dog that he was, relished the action. He was so impressed by the Boer "kommando" that he created an officer class in the British army, the Commander. The spot at Chievely, Natal, where he was captured by none other than Louis Botha, is marked with an obelisk. Worth a visit if you need to round out your bucket list.
James, thank you for taking the time to comment and to make a suggestion for my bucket list.
Chris
ua-cam.com/users/TheHistoryChap
A brutal war it really was a prelude of things to come. Good video Once again
Thanks for your kind words.
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I've watched the whole set of episodes now for a second and third time. Simply the "smoothest" history lessons. I've commented to you before, and I'll say it again. Fantastic narration, fantastic story, and fantastic classic approach to the art of Boer War history. I completely acclaim, you are the epitome of quality historical stories and scenes. Well done sir. I wish we were close by, for I would love to buy you a drink and enjoy your fabulous stories. Cheers my friend! 😊
Ed, thanks for your kind words.
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