Dini's writes, a boer soldier during the Second Anglo-Bower War and future South African

politician had this to say about the outbreak of the war when he was 17 years old.

I have no doubt that the British government had made up its mind to force the issue and was the

chief culprit, but the trans

volars were also spoiling for a fight, and from what I saw in Pretoria during the few weeks

that preceded the ultimatum, I feel sure that the bowers would in any case have insisted on a rupture.

South Africa, 1890.

Both sides want a war, and now they have one. Welcome to the history of the 20th century.

The 20th century. Episode 11, Moving like the Wind.

When we left off last week, the two Boer republics, the Orange Free State and the South African Republic,

had issued a counter-ultimatum to the British, back off or its war,

which is kind of like a cornered mouse rearing on its hind legs and telling the cat,

get away from me or I'm going to smack you on.

But before we explore how that played out, I want to say a few words about Joseph Chamberlain.

You may recall I mentioned him at the end of last week's episode.

At the beginning of the 20th century, he is the most

important politician in Britain, even more so than the prime minister. Joseph Chamberlain was born in

London in 1836. His father was a shoemaker and was well off enough that he could afford to send

Joseph to the University College School, a prestigious school

open to nonconformists, which was important because the Chamberlain family were Unitarians.

But it seems they didn't have the money to send him to university.

Joseph left school at the age of 16 and worked for the family business.

...