The orange free state was an independent boer sovereign republic in southern africa during the second half of the 19th century, which ceased to exist after it was defeated and surrendered to the british empire at the end of the second boer war in 1902. When the orange free state became an independent republic in february 1854, the government hoisted a red, white and blue flag. With its wealth of historical and cultural attractions and excellent facilities, bloemfontein is the ideal place to start a tour of the free state. Orange free state introduction the orange free state oranje vrystaat named after the orange river, so called after the dutch royal house was located in the centre of south africa and had an international border only with lesotho. The boers had founded two independent south african republics the orange free state and the south african republic and had a long history of distrust and dislike for the. Download and read online for free sketch of the orange free state of south africa bloemfontein 1875 by philadelphia orange free state commission at the international. The state of africa is arranged more or less chronologically, starting with the story of how the gold coast broke away from british colonial control and finishing in the penultimate chapter with the transition of power from mbeki to zuma in south africa before a final, brief chapter in which the serial wrongs and excesses of africas big men. Marine news this book is a meticulously detailed history of. It was defeated by the british empire and its colonies, the british cape colony and the natal colony, in the second boer war. History of the orange free state, from the orange free state study.
Southern african history, african history, books barnes. The republic of south africa constitution act 1961 established with effect from 31 may 1961, the republic. Get the latest news stories and video content from bloemfontein and the rest of the free state region. He specializes in wars of empire and is the author of the indian mutiny shortlisted for the westminster medal for military literature. After being mined on the battleship nelson in 1939, he served on the prince of wales, during the bismarck action, witnessing the sinking of the hood and churchill and roosevelts. South africa, orange free state, estate files, 19512006. Orange free state countries office of the historian. The flag of republic of south africa was adopted on 27 april 1994. South africa the cape colony, natal, orange free state, south african republic, and all other territories south of the zambesi by theal, george mccall, 18371919. The rise and fall of the orange free state and transvaal in. Njesuthi in the drakensberg at 3,408 m 11,181 ft is the highest part in south africa.
The orange free state was a boer republic in southern africa. South africa the cape colony, natal, orange free, state, south african republic, and all other territories, south of the zambesi classic reprint theal, george mt on. The eerste pastorie was built in 1850 in the newly formed town of winburg in the orange free state of south africa. The british win this war and take over transvaal and the orange free state. When the union of south africa was formed in 1910 republic of south africa since 1961, the orange free state joined as one of the unions four provinces. Certificates were issued for both in afrikaans on 14 october 1983. Lying between the vaal river in the north and the orange river in the south, the region is one of flat, rolling grassland and crops fields, rising to lovely sandstone mountains in the northeast capital. Orange free state simple english wikipedia, the free. Embraced by several of south africas provinces and sharing a border with the mountain kingdom of lesotho, the free state lies in the heart of the country, between the vaal river in the north and the orange river in the south did you know. Uptodate international research is woven into a readable narrative history that makes the past.
From october 11, 1899, until may 31, 1902, the second boer war also known as the south african war and the angloboer war was fought in south africa between the british and the boers dutch settlers in southern africa. It became the orange river colony and later joined with other colonies to make the union of south africa references. The history of the oldest continually lived in house north. South africa orange article about south africa orange by. The free states major appeal is its natural beauty, open farmlands, and uninterrupted sky. The south african boer war begins between the british empire and the boers of the transvaal and orange free state.
The 1854 bloemfontein convention recognized the independence of the orange free state, which was located between the orange and the vaal rivers. This book was originally published prior to 1923, and represents a reproduction of an important historical work, maintaining the same format as the original work. This was evidently intended as a temporary flag, as the first state president, josias philip hoffman asked king willem iii of the netherlands r. It replaced the flag that had been used since 1928, and was chosen to represent multiculturalism and ethnic diversity in the countrys new, postapartheid democratic society. Enduring the south african war history of military occupation boje. South africa simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. List of books and articles about south african history. South africa is found at the southernmost region of africa, with a long coastline that reaches more than 2,500 km 1,553 mi and along two oceans the south atlantic and the indian. See also the asiatics in the northern districts of natal act of 1927.
However, over time men and women resisted the imposition of passes as it severely restricted their freedom. The 19 womens antipass campaign in the orange free state when the union of south africa was established in 1910, there was already a foundation for pass system. The rise and fall of the orange free state and transvaal. In the new history of south africa, 31 of south africas foremost share fresh insights and new approaches to the story of this country. Orange free state, afrikaans oranjevrystaat, historical boer state in southern africa that became a province of the union of south africa in 1910. South africa history, southern african history, books. The times history of the war in south africa 18991902 by amery, l. The free state province lies in the heart of south africa, with the kingdom of lesotho nestling in the hollow of its beanlike shape. Saul davids favourite books on south african history. Church registers in south africa a brief outline eggsa. The orange free state and the transvaal officially the south african republic were independent countries in southern africa in the 19th century established largely by dutchafrikaansspeaking settlers known as the boers boer translates to farmer in dutch.
About orange free state, south africa, estate files, 19512006. Land, class, and power in the eastern orange free state. Part of the the statesmans yearbook book series sybk. Collins, free statia, or, reminiscences of a lifetime. This collection includes estate files from the orange free state in south africa. Orange free state historical province, south africa. The free state with its rolling hills, wide golden plains, impressive sandstone mountains and almost 340 days of sunshine per year, is a haven for the outdoor enthusiast. Orange free state article about orange free state by the. Images of estate files from the master of supreme court in bloemfontein. Today, these lands and others make up the republic of south africa. South africa the cape colony, natal, orange free, state. This prohibited indians from remaining for more than a brief period in the orange free state.
North of winburg, the willem pretorius game reserve is the free states major provincial reserve, offering a wealth of wildlife, excellent fishing conditions, and a wide range of sports facilities. It coincides with the new post1994 free state province. Discover librarianselected research resources on south african history from the. South africa the cape colony, natal, orange free state, south african republic, rhodesia and all other territories south of the zambesi. This flag was registered with the south african bureau of heraldry as the flag of the republic of orange free state for the office of the prime minister, together with the flag of the south african republic, on 30 april 1983 application 08 january 1982, amendment 05 march 1982. It included the tiny bantustan of qwaqwa on the lesotho natal border. South africa the cape colony, natal, orange free state. The boers, of dutch ancestry, had settled the area earlier in the nineteenth century. One of the four traditional provinces of south africa, it was bordered by the transvaal to the north, natal and the independent state of lesotho to the east, and cape province to the south and west. Details of the exact design have been lost, but it was presumably similar to the contemporary dutch flag. It was a house built for the dutch reformed churchs pastor or predikant the dutch word for leader, in this instance church leader and is abbreviated as ds before his name. The 19 womens antipass campaign in the orange free. At 1,219,912 km 2 471,011 sq mi, south africa is the 25thlargest country in the world and is almost the size of colombia. It is the historical precursor to the presentday free state province.
In 1896, the transvaal and the orange free state formed an alliance, and in 1899 they declared war on great britain. Orange free state south africa upland bird hunting safari. To learn more about the boer wars and their place in south african history. Parliament in 1909, the four south african colonies of transvaal, natal, orange free state, and the cape were unified as provinces of the union of south africa. Since the last illustrated history of south africa was published, farreaching changes have affected not only the country, but the writing of history itself. List of books and articles about south african history online. Hope, natal, the transvaal and the orange free statewhich until then comprised the union of south africa. The authors naval war experiences make the most exciting reading. Although much british propaganda before and during the south african war had been concerned with the political rights of british subjects regardless of southern africa. As a result of the war, the orange free state was annexed by the british, who administered it as the orange river colony. In the new history of south africa, 31 of south africa s foremost share fresh insights and new approaches to the story of this country.
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