How did the South African War affect racial relations?

The South African War exacerbated racial tensions, leading to increased segregation and the institutionalisation of apartheid.

The South African War, also known as the Second Boer War (1899-1902), had a profound impact on racial relations in South Africa. The war was primarily fought between the British Empire and two Boer states, the South African Republic and the Orange Free State, over the Empire's influence in South Africa. However, the war also involved black African, Coloured, and Indian populations, who were drawn into the conflict in various capacities, including as soldiers, labourers, and concentration camp inmates.

The war exacerbated racial tensions in several ways. Firstly, it deepened the divide between the British and the Boers, who were primarily of Dutch descent. The British used scorched earth tactics and interned Boer civilians in concentration camps, leading to a deep-seated resentment among the Boer population. This resentment would later fuel the rise of Afrikaner nationalism and the institutionalisation of apartheid in the mid-20th century.

Secondly, the war also affected relations between whites and non-whites. Black Africans, Coloureds, and Indians were used as labourers and soldiers by both sides, but they were often treated poorly and their contributions were largely ignored in the post-war period. This led to increased racial tensions and a hardening of racial hierarchies. After the war, the new South African state, under the control of the British and the Boers, implemented policies of segregation that further marginalised non-white populations.

Finally, the war also had an impact on intra-racial relations. Among black Africans, for example, the war exacerbated tensions between different ethnic groups, as some chose to align with the British while others sided with the Boers. These divisions would continue to play out in the post-war period, contributing to the complexity of racial relations in South Africa.

In conclusion, the South African War had a profound impact on racial relations in South Africa. It deepened the divide between the British and the Boers, hardened racial hierarchies, and exacerbated intra-racial tensions. These developments would have long-lasting effects, contributing to the institutionalisation of apartheid in the mid-20th century.