The Boer War, also known as the South African War, was fought between the British Empire and two Boer states, the South African Republic and the Orange Free State, from 1899 to 1902. The war was sparked by tensions between the Boer settlers and the British Empire over the control of the gold and diamond mines in the region, as well as political and cultural differences.

The participants in the war were the British Empire, represented by its army and navy, and the Boer states, which were supported by volunteers from other countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, and France. The war was fought in several phases, with the Boer states initially taking the upper hand and winning several early battles, but ultimately being overwhelmed by the superior resources and manpower of the British.

Some of the main events of the war include the Boer siege of Ladysmith, which lasted from November 1899 to February 1900 and resulted in the deaths of over 3,000 soldiers and civilians; the Battle of Spion Kop in January 1900, which was a major defeat for the British; and the scorched earth campaign, which involved the destruction of Boer farms and homesteads and the relocation of their families to concentration camps.

The Boer War was a complex conflict that had its roots in the colonization of South Africa by the British Empire. In the late 1800s, the discovery of gold and diamonds in the region sparked a rush of European settlers, including Boer farmers of Dutch descent who had been living in the region for generations.

Tensions between the Boers and the British escalated as the British government sought to assert its authority over the region and its resources. The Boers, who had established their own republics in the region, resented British interference and sought to maintain their independence.

The war itself was characterized by a series of military campaigns, including sieges, battles, and guerilla warfare. Both sides suffered heavy losses, with the British deploying new tactics and technologies such as barbed wire and concentration camps to suppress the Boer resistance.

The war also had a significant impact on the civilian population, particularly the Boer women and children who were interned in concentration camps by the British. These camps were overcrowded and unsanitary, and thousands of people died from disease and malnutrition.

After the war, the Boer republics were annexed by the British Empire, and South Africa became a Union of several colonies. The war had lasting effects on the region, including the imposition of segregationist policies that would later become known as apartheid.

The Boer War is also notable for its impact on international relations. The war received widespread coverage in the international media, and sparked protests and debates about the ethics of war and the treatment of civilians in conflict. The war also led to increased tensions between Britain and other European powers, particularly Germany, which viewed Britain's actions in South Africa as aggressive and expansionist.

The war ended with the signing of the Treaty of Vereeniging on May 31, 1902, which resulted in the annexation of the Boer republics by the British Empire. The war was a significant event in South African history and had lasting effects on the region, including the consolidation of British control and the establishment of racial segregation policies that would later become known as apartheid.