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The Orange River Convention (sometimes also called the Bloemfontein Convention) was a [[Treaty|convention]] whereby the [[United Kingdom]] formally recognised the independence of the [[Boer]]s in the area between the [[Orange River|Orange]] and [[Vaal River|Vaal]] rivers, which had previously been known as the [[Orange River Sovereignty]]. This resulted in the formation of the independent [[Boer Republics|Boer Republic]] of the [[Orange Free State]] (OFS).



{{Infobox Treaty
{{Infobox Treaty

| name = Orange River Convention (1854)
| name = Orange River Convention (1854)
⚫
| long_name =

| image =
⚫
| long_name =
⚫
| image_width =

⚫
| caption =
| image =
⚫
| type = Recognition of independence and self-government

⚫
| date_drafted =
⚫
| image_width =
⚫
| date_signed = 23 February 1854

⚫
| location_signed = [[Bloemfontein]], [[Orange River Sovereignty]]
⚫
| caption =
⚫
| date_sealed =

⚫
| date_effective =
⚫
| type = Recognition of independence and self-government

⚫
| date_drafted =

⚫
| date_signed = 23 February 1854

⚫
| location_signed = [[Bloemfontein]], [[Orange River Sovereignty]]

⚫
| date_sealed =

⚫
| date_effective =

| condition_effective =
| condition_effective =

| date_expiration = 6 April 1872<br>(some parts earlier)
| date_expiration = 6 April 1872<br>(some parts earlier)
⚫
| signatories = British government and representatives of the Boer communities in the [[Orange River Sovereignty]]

⚫
| depositor =
⚫
| signatories = British government and representatives of the Boer communities in the [[Orange River Sovereignty]]
⚫
| language = [[English language|English]]

⚫
| languages =
⚫
| depositor =
⚫
| wikisource = Orange River Convention (1854)

⚫
| language = [[English language|English]]

⚫
| languages =

⚫
| wikisource = Orange River Convention (1854)

}}
}}

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The '''Orange River Convention''' (sometimes also called the Bloemfontein Convention) was a [[Treaty|convention]] whereby the [[United Kingdom]] formally recognised the independence of the [[Boer]]s in the area between the [[Orange River|Orange]] and [[Vaal River|Vaal]] rivers, which had previously been known as the [[Orange River Sovereignty]]. This resulted in the formation of the independent [[Boer Republics|Boer Republic]] of the [[Orange Free State]] (OFS).



==Lead up to the convention==
==Lead up to the convention==
⚫
During the [[Great Trek]] when [[Boer]]s moved out of the [[Cape Colony]], the British reacted by annexing [[Colony of Natal|Natal]] in 1845 and then in 1848 annexed the [[Orange River]] territory, in a quest to pursue the [[Boers]]. It was however difficult to control the [[Boers]]. <ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803095512594|title=Convention Bloemfontein|date=3 August 2011|publisher=|access-date=10 December 2017}}</ref> Relations between different groups between the [[Orange River]] and the [[Caledon River]] were extremely strained; particularly between the [[Boer]]s and the [[Basotho]]. [[Sir Harry Smith, 1st Baronet]] who was at the time the governor of the British [[Cape Colony]] decided to annex the area and set out clear boundaries. This area came to be known as the [[Orange River Sovereignty]]. The [[Basotho]] lost a vast amount of land due to this annexation. The land between the [[Vaal River]] and the [[Orange River]] was annexed on 3 February 1848. This territory was officially proclaimed the Orange River Sovereignty. The [[Boers]] were enraged by this process and in June 1848, kicked Major [[Henry Douglas Warden]] out of [[Bloemfontein]]. This group was led by [[Andries Pretorius]]. In August 1848, [[Sir Harry Smith, 1st Baronet]] then arrived with his army and fought the [[Boers]] in a battle known as the [[Battle of Boomplaats]]. The British came out victorious and one of the boundary lines created after this battle was called the Warden line. This line divided territory between British territory and the [[Basotho]] under [[Moshoeshoe I]], and stretched from Cornetspruit and the [[Orange River]] through Vechtkop to Jammerbergdrift on the Caledon. This line caused a lot of resentment from the [[Basotho]] who lost fertile and agricultural land next to the [[Caledon River]]. This then led to a conflict between the two groups where [[Moshoeshoe I]] defeated the British in a battle known as Battle of Viervoet in 1851. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sapeople.com/2016/12/19/happy-170th-birthday-bloemfontein-british-spy-post-judicial-capital/|website=South African people News|title=Happy 170th birthday Bloemfontein: From British spy post to judicial capital|date=19 December 2016|publisher=|access-date=10 December 2017}}</ref>
⚫
The British government retracted their decision for annexation, claiming it was too expensive and difficult to maintain. In addition, the [[Boers]] wanted independence and threatened to side with [[Moshoeshoe I]] in a war against the British. The [[Boer]]s were asked to send a delegation to a meeting with the British special commissioner Sir George Clerk in August 1853. This meeting was aimed at establishing some form of self-governance in the [[Orange River Sovereignty]]. When they could not agree, the [[Boer]]s sent two members of their original delegation to [[England]] to try and convince the government to alter their decision. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sapeople.com/2016/12/19/happy-170th-birthday-bloemfontein-british-spy-post-judicial-capital/|website=South African people News|title=Happy 170th birthday Bloemfontein: From British spy post to judicial capital|date=19 December 2016|publisher=|access-date=10 December 2017}}</ref>


⚫
From 1836 onwards, the [[Boer]]s migrated inwards from the Cape Colony into the interior of South Africa. This move was called the [[Great Trek]] and was as a result of increased tension between the Boers and the [[British Empire]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803095512594|title=Convention Bloemfontein|date=3 August 2011|publisher=|access-date=10 December 2017}}</ref> As the Boers moved inwards, they encountered different African tribes including [[Basotho]] who resided between the [[Orange River]] and the [[Caledon River]]. Relations between these two groups were extremely strained, particularly over land. <ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.sahistory.org.za/south-africa-1806-1899/basotho-wars-1858-1868|title= Basotho Wars 1858 - 1868|date=21 March 2011|publisher=SAHO|access-date=4 January 2018}}</ref> [[Sir Harry Smith, 1st Baronet]] who was at the time the governor of the [[British]] [[Cape Colony]] decided to annex the area and set out clear boundaries. This area came to be known as the [[Orange River Sovereignty]]. The [[Basotho]] lost a vast amount of land due to this annexation. The land between the [[Vaal River]] and the [[Orange River]] was annexed on 3 February 1848. This territory was officially proclaimed the Orange River Sovereignty. The [[Boer]]s were enraged by this process and in June 1848, kicked Major [[Henry Douglas Warden]] out of [[Bloemfontein]]. This group was led by [[Andries Pretorius]]. In August 1848, [[Sir Harry Smith, 1st Baronet]] then arrived with his army and fought the [[Boer]]s in a battle known as the [[Battle of Boomplaats]]. The [[British]] came out victorious and one of the boundary lines created after this battle was called the Warden line. This line divided territory between [[British]] territory and the [[Basotho]] under [[Moshoeshoe I]], and stretched from Cornetspruit and the [[Orange River]] through Vechtkop to Jammerbergdrift on the Caledon. This line caused a lot of resentment from the [[Basotho]] who lost fertile and agricultural land next to the [[Caledon River]]. This then led to a conflict between the two groups where [[Moshoeshoe I]] defeated the [[British]] in a battle known as Battle of Viervoet in 1851. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sapeople.com/2016/12/19/happy-170th-birthday-bloemfontein-british-spy-post-judicial-capital/|website=South African people News|title=Happy 170th birthday Bloemfontein: From British spy post to judicial capital|date=19 December 2016|publisher=|access-date=10 December 2017}}</ref>
==Convention==

⚫
The [[British]] government retracted their decision for annexation, claiming it was too expensive and difficult to maintain. In addition, the Boers wanted independence and threatened to side with [[Moshoeshoe I]] in a war against the [[British]]. The Boers were asked to send a delegation to a meeting with the British special commissioner Sir George Clerk in August 1853. This meeting was aimed at establishing some form of self-governance in the [[Orange River Sovereignty]]. When they could not agree, the Boers sent two members of their original delegation to [[England]] to try and convince the government to alter their decision. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sapeople.com/2016/12/19/happy-170th-birthday-bloemfontein-british-spy-post-judicial-capital/|website=South African people News|title=Happy 170th birthday Bloemfontein: From British spy post to judicial capital|date=19 December 2016|publisher=|access-date=10 December 2017}}</ref>



==Negotiations==

[[File:First Raadsaal Bloemfontein.jpg|thumb|First Raadsaal where the Bloemfontein Convention was signed]]
[[File:First Raadsaal Bloemfontein.jpg|thumb|First Raadsaal where the Bloemfontein Convention was signed]]
⚫
On 30 January 1854, a royal proclamation was signed abandoning and renouncing all dominion in the [[Orange River Sovereignty]]. On 23 February 1854, the Orange River Convention officially recognised the independence of the area which was called the [[Orange Free State]]. The convention made no mention of [[Moshoeshoe I]] or what the boundaries between the [[Basotho]] and the [[Orange Free State]] were. The convention was signed in a building now known as the 1st Raadsaal which was built in 1849 by Sir George Clerk (for Britain) and twenty-five representatives of the [[Boer]] people. The first two presidents of the [[Orange Free State]] Republic were sworn in in this building. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sapeople.com/2016/12/19/happy-170th-birthday-bloemfontein-british-spy-post-judicial-capital/|website=South African people News|title=Happy 170th birthday Bloemfontein: From British spy post to judicial capital|date=19 December 2016|publisher=|access-date=10 December 2017}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sahistory.org.za/dated-event/bloemfontein-convention-signed|website=South African History Online|title=Bloemfontein Convention Signed|date=22 February 2017|publisher=SAHO|access-date=10 December 2017}}</ref>


⚫
On 30 January 1854, a royal proclamation was signed abandoning and renouncing all dominion in the Orange River Sovereignty. On 23 February 1854, the Orange River Convention officially recognised the independence of the area which was called the [[Orange Free State]]. The convention made no mention of [[Moshoeshoe I]] or what the boundaries between the [[Basotho]] and the [[Orange Free State]] were. The convention was signed in a building now known as the 1st Raadsaal which was built in 1849 by Sir George Clerk (for [[Britain]]) and twenty-five representatives of the Boer people. The first two presidents of the [[Orange Free State]] Republic were sworn in in this building. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sapeople.com/2016/12/19/happy-170th-birthday-bloemfontein-british-spy-post-judicial-capital/|website=South African people News|title=Happy 170th birthday Bloemfontein: From British spy post to judicial capital|date=19 December 2016|publisher=|access-date=10 December 2017}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sahistory.org.za/dated-event/bloemfontein-convention-signed|website=South African History Online|title=Bloemfontein Convention Signed|date=22 February 2017|publisher=SAHO|access-date=10 December 2017}}</ref>
⚫
The convention guaranteed the [[Boer]]s their right to govern themselves without the influence of [[Great Britain]]. It also reversed the policy of [[Sir Harry Smith, 1st Baronet]] of extending formal British rule beyond the frontiers of the [[Cape Colony]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britannica.com/topic/sand-river-and-bloemfontein-conventions|website=Britannica Encyclopedia|title=Sand River and Bloemfontein Conventions|date=19 December 2016|last=Ballard-Tremeer|first=Beverly|publisher=|access-date=10 December 2017}}</ref> The convention also promised the citizen of the



⚫
The convention guaranteed the Boers their right to govern themselves without the influence of [[Great Britain]]. It also reversed the policy of [[Sir Harry Smith, 1st Baronet]] of extending formal [[British]] rule beyond the frontiers of the [[Cape Colony]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britannica.com/topic/sand-river-and-bloemfontein-conventions|website=Britannica Encyclopedia|title=Sand River and Bloemfontein Conventions|date=19 December 2016|last=Ballard-Tremeer|first=Beverly|publisher=|access-date=10 December 2017}}</ref> The convention also promised the citizen of the



==Aftermath==

⚫
By this convention, the [[British]] renounced control not only over the Boers but also over the [[Basotho]] and the [[Griqua]]. Earlier [[British]] treaties with African chiefdoms which protected their land, were cancelled and Boers were permitted access to gunpowder and firearms while Africans were not. <ref>{{cite book|title=The Cambridge history of South Africa, Volume 5|last1=Fage|first1=JD|last2=John|first2=E|last3=Roland|first3=Anthony|publisher=||place=Cambridge|year=|page=381|isbn=}}</ref> <ref>{{cite book|title=Historical dictionary of the British Empire|last1=Olson|first1=James S|last2=Shadle|first2=Robert|publisher=Grenwood Press|place=Westport|year=1996|page=145|isbn=0313279179}}</ref> Both the [[Sand River Convention]] and the [[Orange River Convention]] were seen as a turning point in the history of South Africa, which may have led to or at least created conditions which led to the [[Anglo-Boer War]] or the [[South African War]]. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britannica.com/topic/sand-river-and-bloemfontein-conventions|website=Britannica Encyclopedia|title=Sand River and Bloemfontein Conventions|date=19 December 2016|last=Ballard-Tremeer|first=Beverly|publisher=|access-date=10 December 2017}}</ref>


==Results==
⚫
By this convention, the British renounced control not only over the [[Boers]] but also over the [[Basotho]] and the [[Griqua language|Griqua]]. Earlier British treaties with African chiefdoms which protected their land, were cancelled and [[Boers]] were permitted access to gun powder and firearms while Africans were not. <ref>{{cite book|title=The Cambridge history of South Africa, Volume 5|last1=Fage|first1=JD|last2=John|first2=E|last3=Roland|first3=Anthony|publisher=||place=Cambridge|year=|page=381|isbn=}}</ref> <ref>{{cite book|title=Historical dictionary of the British Empire|last1=Olson|first1=James S|last2=Shadle|first2=Robert|publisher=Grenwood Press|place=Westport|year=1996|page=145|isbn=0313279179}}</ref> Both the [[Sand River Convention]] and the [[Orange River Convention]] were seen as a turning point in the history of South Africa, which may have led to or at least created conditions which led to the [[Anglo-Boer War]] or the [[South African War]]. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britannica.com/topic/sand-river-and-bloemfontein-conventions|website=Britannica Encyclopedia|title=Sand River and Bloemfontein Conventions|date=19 December 2016|last=Ballard-Tremeer|first=Beverly|publisher=|access-date=10 December 2017}}</ref>
==References==
==References==

{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}




==Sources==
==Sources==

* [http://journals.cambridge.org/download.php?file=%2FILQ%2FILQ30_03%2FS0020589300038677a.pdf&code=71b3ba13e7f0e55a5d1724b76fbc7feb Rosalie Schaffer, 'Succession to treaties: South African practice in the light of current developments in international law'] (1981)
* [http://journals.cambridge.org/download.php?file=%2FILQ%2FILQ30_03%2FS0020589300038677a.pdf&code=71b3ba13e7f0e55a5d1724b76fbc7feb Rosalie Schaffer, 'Succession to treaties: South African practice in the light of current developments in international law'] (1981)




[[Category:Treaties of the United Kingdom (1801–1922)]]
[[Category:Treaties of the United Kingdom (1801–1922)]]

[[Category:1854 in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:1854 in the United Kingdom]]

[[Category:1854 in South Africa]]
[[Category:1854 in South Africa]]

[[Category:1854 treaties]]
[[Category:1854 treaties]]

[[Category:Treaties of the Orange Free State]]
[[Category:Treaties of the Orange Free State]]

Revision as of 06:12, 4 January 2018

The Orange River Convention (sometimes also called the Bloemfontein Convention) was a convention whereby the United Kingdom formally recognised the independence of the Boers in the area between the Orange and Vaal rivers, which had previously been known as the Orange River Sovereignty. This resulted in the formation of the independent Boer Republic of the Orange Free State (OFS).


Orange River Convention (1854)
TypeRecognition of independence and self-government
Signed23 February 1854
LocationBloemfontein, Orange River Sovereignty
Expiration6 April 1872
(some parts earlier)
SignatoriesBritish government and representatives of the Boer communities in the Orange River Sovereignty
LanguageEnglish
Full text
Orange River Convention (1854) at Wikisource


Lead up to the convention

From 1836 onwards, the Boers migrated inwards from the Cape Colony into the interior of South Africa. This move was called the Great Trek and was as a result of increased tension between the Boers and the British Empire.[1] As the Boers moved inwards, they encountered different African tribes including Basotho who resided between the Orange River and the Caledon River. Relations between these two groups were extremely strained, particularly over land. [2] Sir Harry Smith, 1st Baronet who was at the time the governor of the British Cape Colony decided to annex the area and set out clear boundaries. This area came to be known as the Orange River Sovereignty. The Basotho lost a vast amount of land due to this annexation. The land between the Vaal River and the Orange River was annexed on 3 February 1848. This territory was officially proclaimed the Orange River Sovereignty. The Boers were enraged by this process and in June 1848, kicked Major Henry Douglas Warden out of Bloemfontein. This group was led by Andries Pretorius. In August 1848, Sir Harry Smith, 1st Baronet then arrived with his army and fought the Boers in a battle known as the Battle of Boomplaats. The British came out victorious and one of the boundary lines created after this battle was called the Warden line. This line divided territory between British territory and the Basotho under Moshoeshoe I, and stretched from Cornetspruit and the Orange River through Vechtkop to Jammerbergdrift on the Caledon. This line caused a lot of resentment from the Basotho who lost fertile and agricultural land next to the Caledon River. This then led to a conflict between the two groups where Moshoeshoe I defeated the British in a battle known as Battle of Viervoet in 1851. [3]

The British government retracted their decision for annexation, claiming it was too expensive and difficult to maintain. In addition, the Boers wanted independence and threatened to side with Moshoeshoe I in a war against the British. The Boers were asked to send a delegation to a meeting with the British special commissioner Sir George Clerk in August 1853. This meeting was aimed at establishing some form of self-governance in the Orange River Sovereignty. When they could not agree, the Boers sent two members of their original delegation to England to try and convince the government to alter their decision. [4]


Negotiations

First Raadsaal where the Bloemfontein Convention was signed

On 30 January 1854, a royal proclamation was signed abandoning and renouncing all dominion in the Orange River Sovereignty. On 23 February 1854, the Orange River Convention officially recognised the independence of the area which was called the Orange Free State. The convention made no mention of Moshoeshoe I or what the boundaries between the Basotho and the Orange Free State were. The convention was signed in a building now known as the 1st Raadsaal which was built in 1849 by Sir George Clerk (for Britain) and twenty-five representatives of the Boer people. The first two presidents of the Orange Free State Republic were sworn in in this building. [5] [6]


The convention guaranteed the Boers their right to govern themselves without the influence of Great Britain. It also reversed the policy of Sir Harry Smith, 1st Baronet of extending formal British rule beyond the frontiers of the Cape Colony.[7] The convention also promised the citizen of the


Aftermath

By this convention, the British renounced control not only over the Boers but also over the Basotho and the Griqua. Earlier British treaties with African chiefdoms which protected their land, were cancelled and Boers were permitted access to gunpowder and firearms while Africans were not. [8] [9] Both the Sand River Convention and the Orange River Convention were seen as a turning point in the history of South Africa, which may have led to or at least created conditions which led to the Anglo-Boer War or the South African War. [10]

References

  1. ^ "Convention Bloemfontein". 3 August 2011. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  2. ^ "Basotho Wars 1858 - 1868". SAHO. 21 March 2011. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  3. ^ "Happy 170th birthday Bloemfontein: From British spy post to judicial capital". South African people News. 19 December 2016. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  4. ^ "Happy 170th birthday Bloemfontein: From British spy post to judicial capital". South African people News. 19 December 2016. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  5. ^ "Happy 170th birthday Bloemfontein: From British spy post to judicial capital". South African people News. 19 December 2016. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  6. ^ "Bloemfontein Convention Signed". South African History Online. SAHO. 22 February 2017. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  7. ^ Ballard-Tremeer, Beverly (19 December 2016). "Sand River and Bloemfontein Conventions". Britannica Encyclopedia. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  8. ^ Fage, JD; John, E; Roland, Anthony. The Cambridge history of South Africa, Volume 5. Cambridge. p. 381. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  9. ^ Olson, James S; Shadle, Robert (1996). Historical dictionary of the British Empire. Westport: Grenwood Press. p. 145. ISBN 0313279179.
  10. ^ Ballard-Tremeer, Beverly (19 December 2016). "Sand River and Bloemfontein Conventions". Britannica Encyclopedia. Retrieved 10 December 2017.


Sources

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