History

Transvaal Independence

Since 1854 the Transvaal had been a republic; had a constitution by 1856, with the South African Republic finally coming into being in 1858--in which incidentally there was to be "no equality between coloured and white."

Living on isolated farms surrounded by game in plenty encouraged marksmanship and a spirit of independence, which fostered a disinclination to pay taxes.

Zulu Threat

Years of ineffective government, an empty national kitty, and low morale made the surrounding tribes, in particular the Zulus, seem ever more threatening. London judged the time to be ripe for annexation.

Sir Theophilus Shepstone

In January 1877 Sir Theophilus Shepstone arrived in Pretoria on what was supposed to be no more than a fact finding mission, but actually having the authority to take over the Transvaal if it could be done peacefully. By now the Transvaal national exchequer was so low that the Postmaster General had to take his salary in stamps.

Cetewayo, King of the Zulus

Cetewayo, King of the Zulus and nephew of the legendary Chaka, was restrained by Shepstone from attacking the weak and unorganized farmers. All this helped to make the British proclamation of annexation on 12th April 1877 an event which met with no resistance; and soon British regimental bands were giving concerts to appreciative Boers in the centre of Pretoria. And as soon as possible the Transvaalers were to be given a say in affairs.

Political Intrigue

Discontent began to grow as time passed and there was no sign of the granting of representative government; nor did it help when Shepstone was replaced by the far less diplomatic Colonel Sir Owen Lanyon.

The plea of Sir Bartle Frere, High Commissioner for South Africa, for Britain to grant at least a token measure of self-government forthwith was ignored. Then Frere was replaced by Sir Garnet Wolseley-"egotist and braggart," according to Disraeli-who tactlessly proclaimed that “ere Britain withdrew from the Transvaal the Vaal river would flow backwards."

Gladstone's election speeches in March 1880 bitterly criticized the annexation; but once he was in power it was "the Queen cannot be advised to relinquish her sovereignty over the Transvaal."

British Demobilization

Now the Boers were quietly preparing, but shrewdly stayed their hand while British troops continued to be sent home, until only three battalions were left.

Sir George Pomeroy Colley

Wolseley was replaced by Sir George Pomeroy Colley-to whom Lanyon described the massed meetings now being held urging armed rebellion as "a spark in the pan. . . they are mortal cowards."

On the 20th December 1880 a detachment of the 94th Infantry on the march was stopped by a Boer emissary 36 miles from Pretoria with a message that to advance further would be taken as an act of war.

They advanced, and were annihilated.