Map Description

Historical map of Africa in 1912.


Illustrating

• Possessions acquired before the Berlin Conference of November 1884 - January 1885

• Possessions acquired since 1884

• Egypt is tributary to the Ottoman Empire and subject to the financial control of Great Britain.


Inset: The Boer Republics till 1902

Inset: The Suez Canal and Lower Egypt

The Berlin Conference

The Berlin Conference of 1884-1885 was a meeting of European powers convened by Otto von Bismarck to establish rules for the colonization and trade in Africa.

Attended by representatives from 14 countries, none of them African, the conference resulted in the General Act of Berlin, which sliced up the African continent among European powers, disregarding existing cultures and political boundaries.

The Boer Republics

Early settlers in South Africa, particularly of Dutch, German, and French Huguenot descent, migrated to the Cape of Good Hope starting in 1652. The term Boers (a word derived from Afrikaans and Dutch meaning "farmer") became associated with the descendants of these settlers, especially those who established independent republics in the interior of South Africa in the mid-19th century.

These republics were primarily established during periods of dissatisfaction with British rule and reflected the desire for independence among Afrikaner settlers. Most of them were short-lived due to internal strife or external pressures, particularly from British colonial ambitions.


Here is a list of these Boer Republics:

South African Republic (Transvaal)
Formed in 1852, it was one of the most prominent Boer republics, recognized by the British after the Sand River Convention.

Orange Free State
Established in 1854, this republic was located to the south of the South African Republic and was also recognized by the British.

Natalia Republic
A short-lived republic that existed from 1839 to 1843 in present-day KwaZulu-Natal before being annexed by Britain.

Republic of Stellaland
Established in 1882, it was located in present-day South Africa near the border with Botswana and existed until its annexation in 1883.

State of Goshen
Also established in 1882 and merged with Stellaland shortly after.

New Republic
Founded in 1884 around Vryheid, it was absorbed into the South African Republic by 1888.

Lydenburg Republic
A small Boer republic that existed from 1849 until it was incorporated into the South African Republic in 1860.

Utrecht Republic
Another small state that existed briefly from 1852 to 1858 before merging into the South African Republic.

Republic of Graaff-Reinet
Established in 1795 and lasted until it was incorporated into the Cape Colony.

Republic of Swellendam
Another early Boer republic founded in 1795, which also became part of the Cape Colony shortly thereafter.

Republic of Zoutpansberg
This Boer Republic was established in 1849 and ceased to exist in 1864 when it was incorporated into the South African Republic (Transvaal) due to the Transvaal Civil War.


The discovery of diamonds in 1866 and gold in the Witwatersrand region in 1884 attracted a large influx of foreign workers and increased British interest in the region.

The first major conflict between the British and the Boers occurred during the First Boer War (1880-1881), which resulted from Britain's annexation of the Transvaal. The Boers successfully resisted British forces, leading to a restoration of their independence.

By 1899, tensions escalated again, culminating in the outbreak of the Second Boer War, also known as the South African War. This conflict lasted until 1902 and involved significant military engagements between Boer commandos and British forces.

By 1902, following a protracted guerrilla war characterized by brutal tactics on both sides, including scorched earth policies and concentration camps for civilians, the Boer Republics ultimately surrendered to British forces. The signing of the Treaty of Vereeniging on May 31, 1902, marked the end of their independence as they accepted British sovereignty, setting the stage for their eventual incorporation into the Union of South Africa in 1910.

Credits

University of Texas at Austin. Historical Atlas by William Shepherd.

Related Links

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