# Second Boer War begins (1899)

URL: https://english-history.com/timeline/1899-second-boer-war-begins
Categories: battle, main-event

Britain went to war against the Boer republics in southern Africa. Within the broader Victorian Britain period, industrial society, mass politics, public-health reform, global empire and the Irish question dominated public life. This event is placed at 1899 in the chronology so it can be read alongside the political, military, social and cultural changes around it. The conflict tested imperial military capacity and provoked controversy over concentration camps and civilian suffering.

## Why it matters
The conflict tested imperial military capacity and provoked controversy over concentration camps and civilian suffering.

Ruler at the time: [Victoria](https://english-history.com/rulers/victoria)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia topic lookup — Second Boer War begins](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=Second+Boer+War+begins&go=Go)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Second Boer War begins](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Second+Boer+War+begins)
- [Wikipedia — Timeline of British history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_British_history_%281800%E2%80%931899%29)
- [The National Archives — Victorian resources](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/)