Orange Free State, Republic of the (Boer Republic)
State | Defunct
1854 CE to 1910 CE
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Showing 10 events out of 121 total
The British pull out of the region in 1854, and in 1858 Moshoeshoe fights a series of wars with the Boers in what is known as the Free State–Basotho War.
As a result Moshoeshoe loses a great portion of the western lowlands.
The British have mixed success.
Their attempts to tax the Orange River Voortrekkers produce almost no revenue.
Claims to Sotho lands are met with opposition from Moshoeshoe, who in 1851 and 1852 successfully defeata British attempts to extend their authority into his lands.
As a result of the Sotho resistance, the British decide to withdraw from the Highveld, but in so doing they recognize the primacy of European rather than African claims to the land.
The Sand River Convention of 1852 and the Bloemfontein Convention of 1854 recognize the independence of the South African Republic and the Orange Free State, respectively, as Voortrekker republics so long as their residents agree to acknowledge the ultimate sovereignty of the British government, agree not to allow slavery in their territories, and agree not to sell ammunition to Africans.
Not until 1868 will the British again attempt to extend their power onto the Highveld, and this is only when Lesotho's defeat by the Orange Free State is so complete that the total destruction of the Sotho people seems likely.
British policies, however, bring about enormous destruction for the Xhosa on the eastern Cape frontier.
Smith is recalled by the British government in 1852 for instigating conflict with the Xhosa, but the Colonial Office decides to pursue the war to victory nonetheless in 1853.
Large areas of Xhosa land are annexed, and thousands of head of cattle are confiscated.
Drought and disease further reduce the Xhosa's remaining herds.
Defeated in war, their lands greatly reduced and food supplies in decline, the Xhosa turn for salvation to a young girl, Nongqawuse, who prophesies that if the people purify themselves through sacrifice—by destroying their cattle and their grain, and by not planting new crops—then their ancestors will return to aid them, the herds will reappear, and all the whites will be driven into the sea.
Although not all Xhosa believe the prophecies, by 1857 more than four hundred thousand head of cattle have been killed and vast quantities of grain have been destroyed.
As a result, forty thousand Xhosa die from starvation, and an equal number seek refuge in the Cape Colony, where most become impoverished farm laborers.
The Orange River Sovereignty becomes an independent republic, the Orange Free State, in 1854.
All persons of European blood possessing a six months' residential qualification are to be granted full burgher rights.
The British recognize the independence of the Orange Free State on February 17; its official independence is declared six days later in the Orange River Convention.
George Cathcart had granted the first constitution to the Cape Colony.
His replacement, former New Zealand governor Sir George Grey, appointed governor of the colony in December 1854, had founded Grey College, Bloemfontein in 1855 and Grey High School in Port Elizabeth in 1856.
The Boers of the Orange Free State begin warring with the kingdom of Basutoland in 1858.
Both parties laid claims to land beyond the Warden line, and each party had taken possession of what it could, the Basutos being also expert cattle-lifters.
In the war the advantage rests with the Basutos; thereupon the Free State appeals to Grey, who induces King Moshoeshoe to come to terms.
On the 15th of October 1858, a treaty is signed defining anew the boundary.
The peace is nominal only, while the burghers are also involved in disputes with other tribes.
George Grey has dealt firmly with the natives in South Africa, but has endeavored to protect them from the white colonists by setting apart tracts of land for their exclusive use.
He more than once has acted as arbitrator between the government of the Orange Free State and the natives, and had eventually come to the conclusion that a federated South Africa would be a good thing for everyone.
The Orange Free State would have been willing to join the federation, and it is probable that the Transvaal would also have agreed.
However, Grey is fifty years before his time and the colonial office will not agree to his proposals.
In spite of their instructions, Grey continues to advocate union, and, in connection with other matters, such as the attempt to settle soldiers in South Africa after the Crimean War, he several times disregards his instructions.
When all the circumstances are considered, it is not surprising that he is recalled in 1859.
Martinus Pretorius, the President of Transvaal, is elected president of the Orange Free State in 1859, but will fail in his effort to unite the two Boer republics.
Pretorius is told by the Transvaal volksraad on September 10, 1860, to choose between his two posts—to the surprise of both supporters and detractors he resigns as President of the Transvaal and continues in the Free State.
After Stephanus Schoeman unsuccessfully attempts to forcibly supplant Grobler as Acting President, Kruger persuades him to submit to a volksraad hearing, where Schoeman is censured and relieved of his post.
Willem Cornelis Janse van Rensburg is appointed Acting President while a new election is organized for October 1862.
Having returned home, Kruger is surprised to receive a message urgently requesting his presence in the capital, the volksraad having recommended him as a suitable candidate; he replies that he is pleased to be summoned but his membership in the Dopper Church means he cannot enter politics.
Van Rensburg promptly has legislation passed to give equal political rights to members of all Reformed denominations.
Schoeman musters a commando at Potchefstroom, but is routed by Kruger on the night of October 9, 1862.
Schoeman is found guilty of rebellion against the state and banished.