1899 to 1902 Anglo-Boer War

Who: British Empire vs. Independent Boer republics (Dutch farmers)

What: British backed Cecil Rhodes, founder of De Beers, against Afrikaners led by Jan Smuts former right hand person of Rhodes. Boer-Farmer war financed by J.P. Morgan and Co. British forces losing ground to Boers, captures Boer women and children and imprison them in concentration camps and lay waste to the Boer farms. The Boer farmers surrender. Great Britain takes control of South Africa.

A report after the war concluded that 27,927 Boers (of whom 24,074 [50% of the Boer child population] were children under 16) had died of starvation, disease and exposure in the concentration camps. In all, about one in four (25%) of the Boer inmates, mostly children, died.

Where: South Africa

Why: South Africa’s rich natural resources including gold and diamonds attracted British Imperialism.

Player: JP Morgan – financed British military forces

Player: Jan Smuts – Led Boer forces against British military forces

Player: Cecil Rhodes – Sponsored failed Jameson Raid of 1895 marking unofficial beginning of Second Anglo-Boer War