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The Boer War (1) What was the Boer War about? The Boer war was the South African Republic (Transvaal) and the Orange Free State against Great Britain. It began with the acquisition in 1814 of the Cape of Good Hope, Great Britain gradually increased its territorial possessions in South Africa and by the late 19th century, it held Natal, Basutoland, Swaziland, Rhodesia, Bechuanaland, and other Bantu lands. The Boers (Dutch), already settled in some of these areas, …

…Britain agreed to grant a £3 million indemnity for property destruction and promised not to assess taxes to cover the expenses of the war. Amnesty was granted to all who had not violated the rules of war and repatriation to those who accepted the British king. British loss of life was over 5,000; the Boers lost about 3,700 people. The war left much bitterness, which continued to affect the political life of the Union of South Africa (organized 1910).