Bloemfontein Convention
Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa
What happened
Sir George Clerk for Britain and twenty-five Boer representatives signed the convention. Britain had ruled the land between the Orange and Vaal rivers as the Orange River Sovereignty. At Bloemfontein, Britain gave up its claims and recognised the independence of the Orange Free State. It also cancelled earlier British treaties with African chiefdoms in the area.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It created the Boer republic of the Orange Free State, which governed itself for nearly 50 years. The Basotho leader Moshoeshoe I was not mentioned, and no border was set with his lands.
What came next
The Orange Free State was annexed by Britain during the Second Boer War, and its independence ended with the 1902 Treaty of Vereeniging.
Did you know?
The building where it was signed later became a symbol in apartheid-era education.
Timeline
- 1846Bloemfontein is founded.
- 23 February 1854The Bloemfontein Convention is signed.
- 13 March 1900British troops occupy Bloemfontein.
- 31 May 1902Treaty of Vereeniging.