The Anti-War Movement of the South African War

This study focuses on the metropolitan Pro-Boer movement that emerged when Britain fought against the two Boer republics. These Pro-Boers argued that the war was unnecessary, for Britain could have achieved its objective with the Boers through more negotiations. This book is an analysis of Pro-Boer ideas in various forms of ephemeral literature. An important theme is that the Pro-Boers struggled to contest the war as a united front against the government. The Pro-Boers published leaflets that included competing dialogues of protest. As the war progressed, the critics became more united and consistent as the war progressed. The Pro-Boers agreed on issues such as British paramountcy, the native African issue, government responsibility, capitalism s role, and the nature of true patriotism. Similarly, the Pro-Boers were able to reach a consensus in how to rebuild South Africa, such as with the granting of self-government. This analysis should help shed light on major criticisms launched against the British Empire and war in general. Professionals and anyone else interested in British, imperial, or anti-war history in the late nineteenth century would find this book useful.

Autorentext

Dr. Jodie N. Mader is a graduate of Thomas More College, University of Cincinnati, and University of Kentucky. She has authored articles and presented several papers at regional conferences on the South African War. Dr. Mader is an assistant professor at Thomas More College, Crestview Hills, Kentucky.