Fought from October 11, 1899, until May 31, 1902, the Second Boer War comprised the battles between the British Empire and two different republics, the South African Republic, also known as Transvaal, and the Orange Free State.

Between October 11, 1899, and May 31, 1902, the British Empire engaged in a conflict with two Boer republics, the South African Republic and the Orange Free State. The war raged across the southern African region and ultimately ended with the two republics joining the British Empire as the Union of South Africa.

During the 1800s, the southern portion of Africa was challenged by a mix of cultural and ethnic diversity along with a number of economic interests. Following the Napoleonic Wars, the British Empire seized the Cape of Good Hope from the Dutch in 1815. This allowed the Empire to protect its interests in India as ships passed around the Cape. This also gave the British a foothold on an important African colony, much like other European powers. In order to stave off the forces of other nations, Britain would have to act quickly in order to consolidate its power. Portugal controlled East and West Africa, Germany controlled Namibia, Belgium controlled the Congo and France held Equatorial Africa and Madagascar.