South African Republic (Transvaal)

The South African Republic, also known as the Transvaal, was a 19th-century independent Boer (Afrikaner settlers) republic in what is now northeastern South Africa. Established by Dutch-speaking farmers, it declared independence in 1852 but was often challenged by British interests. The region was rich in gold and minerals, making it strategically important. Tensions between the Boer settlers and the British, along with issues of land and governance, led to the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902). After the war, the Transvaal was incorporated into the British Empire, eventually becoming part of the Union of South Africa in 1910.