Empire (70th of 90) -- The Second Boer War [audio 15min]

In 1886 gold was discovered in Witwatesrand in the Transvaal. Constitutionally, British rights in the Transvaal were contained in the Pretoria Agreement and were limited to foreign affairs. The British consideration was what would happen when the Boers became rich? Could they threaten Britain's other interests in Africa and might the Germans help the Boers? "This Sceptred Isle: Empire" is a narrative history of the British Empire from Ireland in the 12th century to the independence of India in the 20th, told in 90 programmes written by historian Christopher Lee and narrated by actor Juliet Stevenson. ~Visit website to listen again to 5 most recent episodes, plus interactive maps and timeline, biographical dictionary, image galleries, listeners' comments, quizzes, sources and resources.