Women in the Boer War

The Boer War that took place between the years of 1899 to 1902 is actually considered the Second Boer War. The first War took place in 1880 and lasted until 1881. The First Boer war is also considered the First Anglo-Boer War. The Second Boer War is more commonly called the Boer War and was fought between the British Empire and the two Boer republics, the South African Republic, and the Orange Free State. The war was fought to determine the British Empire's influence in South Africa. During this time, over 100,000 Boer citizens were relocated to concentration camps where 26,000 died. Another 20,000 Black Africans died while interned in the concentration camps. The Boer people fought using guerilla tactics, while the British a scorched earth tactic. During the Boer War, the South African and Boer people received support from outside neutral countries, as there was widespread outrage about the treatment of the Boer people. The war ended with the unification of South Africa and a war crimes trial being opened for the British

Women engaged in the Boer War in a variety of ways. Women were herded into the concentration camps, where many of the internees died due to poor sanitary conditions. Women also showed support for the Boer people by raising awareness of their conditions as well as working as nurses and offering their support to the Boer fighters. The Boer War was also the first engagement where there were women acting as war correspondents, with the introduction of Sarah Wilson, who covered the Siege of Mafeking.