A Brief Overview of the Boer War

The Boer Wars were some of the rare examples of European colonial wars against people of European decedent. In the 1st Boer War, the British were taken by surprise at the use of sniping by the Boers. Hundreds of British troops were killed for just a few dozen deaths for the Boers. The British were forced to recognize the Boer South African Republic. The British Empire wanted to make ups for its humiliating defeat, declared war on the Boer Republics again. With frustrations to heavy causalities to Boer sniping, the British resorted to the ruthless method of forcing Boer families into concentration camps. Watching their families starve to death, this had a profound impact on the morale of the Boer commandos. The Boers were forced to sue for peace, and the Boer South African Republic was annexed into the British Empire. The experiences in the Boer Wars and experiences in the North-West frontier of India taught the British painful lessons of sniping. However, these lessons were forgotten with horrific consequences in WW1.