A few thoughts on the genesis of the Anglo-Boer War, 1899-1902

Abstract

In 1999 we celebrated the centenary of the beginning of the Anglo-Boer War. For the last hundred years specialists asked different questions related to this war. Since the start of the war they tried to find out how and why it had broken out And how it happened that two small states dared to declare war against one of the greatest powers of that time. A war which they could not expect to win. There have been many theories which tried to explain the origins of this war, such as the threat of Afrikaner domination, a capitalistic conspiracy, and British determination to uphold its paramountcy in the region. They tried to evaluate which motives, political or economic, were more essential. Some tried to find out who was responsible: J Chamberlain or A Milner.
Of course many more questions have been asked, and many more problems discussed. But behind all of those another question is hidden: Was the Anglo-Boer War inevitable?