The Boer War, fought from 1899 to 1902, was a conflict between the British Empire and two Boer republics in South Africa: the South African Republic and the Orange Free State. The war arose from tensions over British control and the rights of Afrikaner settlers, leading to a struggle for independence and land. The conflict is notable for its guerrilla warfare tactics employed by the Boers, which challenged traditional military strategies. The British ultimately emerged victorious, leading to the unification of South Africa under British rule and significant changes in the region's political landscape.