A Brief History Series

The Anglo-Boer Wars will introduce you to, one of the Victorian Wars of the British Empire. A bite size comprehensive account of the two Anglo-Boer Wars fought between 1880-1881 and 1899-1902. A fascinating tale of one of the bloodiest and expensive wars for over a century, which pitted the two Boer Republics of South Africa (Orange Free State and The Transvaal) against the might of the British Empire and her dominions. Five hundred thousand British and Commonwealth troops from many countries, against fifty thousand men from the South African states. This book will discuss the political backdrop to the war, a history of the country and the key figures that shaped the conflict. Names such as Churchill, Kruger, Rhodes and Kitchener (of 'Your Country Needs you' fame) all had major influences. Other, familiar characters such as Ghandi, Baden-Powell, Kiplin and Conan Doyle also played parts. Learn what impact these people had, what they said and how the war shaped them. How the Boer Nation’s guerrilla tactic was perfectly suited to the terrain? How the British tactics, the same for over a century were outdated, antiquated and ineffective. Tactics that are still employed today, such as firing from a concealed position and moving from cover to cover, whilst wearing clothing that blended into the terrain; They were employed brilliantly to devastating effect. Tactics that were not commonly used up until this point. Such crushing defeats that were inflicted on the British Empire from an inferior force, the Boers (Dutch for farmer). The book will detail what battles were fought during the Anglo-Boer wars, including how the founder of the Boy Scouts commanded the siege of Mafeking and held out for 127 days. What significance the battle of Spion Kop had, fought to relieve the siege of Ladysmith and what Premier League Football Club has a stadium stand named after the battle? What was the outcome of the conflicts and how did they shape the South African region thereafter? How was the signing of the Treaty of Vereeniging on 31 May 1902, ceased hostilities and led South African on the road to Independence? What was the reaction back in Britain, discussing the political unrest and fallout from the employment of Concentration camps and the scorch earth policy? This book is a brief history of the wars that is not complicated, will give you a comprehensive understanding of the war and the time. It is perfectly suited to the busy history enthusiast who does not have the time or the inclination to read a 1000 page tome on the wars. Enough facts to keep you entertained without investing considerable time or effort. All you need to know. Enjoy!

The Anglo – Zulu wars, a clash between the might of the British Empire with the African Zulu Kingdom, began in 1879. In 1874, Sir Henry Bartle Frere was appointed High Commissioner for Southern Africa. His mission was to bring the various African kingdoms, tribal areas, and Boer Republics together under British rule, modelled after the policy which brought the various states within Canada together under one political and military control. He was opposed by several forces, mainly the various independent Boer states, and the Zulu Kingdom, with its vast army. In order to bring the region and its tribes together under as part of the British Empire, Frere decided to go to war with the Zulu Kingdom. Working on his own, without the backing of his government, Frere issued an ultimatum to the Zulu King Cetshwayo on 11 December 1878. The demands proved impossible to comply with, and war was declared. The British forces, led by Lord Chelmsford, invaded Zululand. Many battles ensued, including a stunning Zulu victory at Isandlwana, and the near-collapse of the garrison at Rorke’s Drift. However, in the end, the British were triumphant. The Zulu Nation would no longer be independent, but part of the British Empire.

The Indian Rebellion of 1857 began as a mutiny of sepoys of the East India Company's army on 10 May 1857, in the town of Meerut, and soon escalated into other mutinies and civilian rebellions largely in the upper Gangetic plain and central India, with the major hostilities confined to present-day Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, northern Madhya Pradesh, and the Delhi region. The rebellion posed a considerable threat to Company power in that region, and was contained only with the fall of Gwalior on 20 June 1858. The rebellion is also known as the India's First War of Independence, the Great Rebellion, the Indian Mutiny, the Revolt of 1857, the Uprising of 1857, the Sepoy Rebellion, and the Sepoy Mutiny. The Mutiny was a result of various grievances. However the flashpoint was reached when the soldiers were asked to bite off the paper cartridges for their rifles which were greased with animal fat namely beef and pork. This was, and is, against the religious beliefs of Hindus and Muslims. Other regions of Company-controlled India – such as Bengal, the Bombay Presidency, and the Madras Presidency – remained largely calm. In Punjab, the Sikh princes backed the Company by providing soldiers and support. The large princely states of Hyderabad, Mysore, Travancore, and Kashmir, as well as the smaller ones of Rajputana, did not join the rebellion. In some regions, such as Oudh, the rebellion took on the attributes of a patriotic revolt against European presence. Maratha leaders, such as the Lakshmibai, the Rani of Jhansi, became folk heroes in the nationalist movement in India half a century later; however, they themselves "generated no coherent ideology" for a new order. The rebellion led to the dissolution of the East India Company in 1858. It also led the British to reorganize the army, the financial system and the administration in India. India was thereafter directly governed by the crown as the new British Raj.