Maritz rebellion
A pro-German Boer uprising in South Africa at the start of World War I.
In 1914, as World War I began, a pro-German uprising broke out in South Africa, known as the Maritz rebellion, the Third Boer War, or the Five Shilling rebellion. Boers who wanted to bring back the South African Republic in the Transvaal led the revolt. It failed. Of the roughly 12,000 rebels, at least 124 died in combat, about 300 more perished while retreating across the Kalahari Desert, and at least 229 were wounded. The surviving leaders faced heavy fines and prison sentences; one of them, Jopie Fourie, was put to death.
Twelve years earlier, after the Second Boer War ended, all former Boer fighters had to sign a promise to accept the peace. Some, like Deneys Reitz, refused and were forced into exile. Over the next decade, many came back to South Africa, and not all signed the pledge when they returned. Those Boers who had fought until the very end of that war were called Bittereinders.
A German journalist from the Tägliche Rundschau interviewed former Boer general J. B. M. Hertzog, who reportedly believed that the Boers’ three-year struggle would see their freedom—in the form of a general South African Republic—handed to them as soon as England got into a war with a major European power. Paraphrasing the Irish Nationalists’ saying, “England’s misfortune is the bitter enders’ opportunity,” these Bittereinders and their backers saw the start of World War I as that chance, especially because Germany, England’s enemy, had long supported them.
The outbreak of fighting in Europe in August 1914 had been expected for some time. The Union of South Africa’s government knew the importance of its border with the German colony of South-West Africa. Prime Minister Louis Botha told London that South Africa could defend itself and that British troops could leave for France. When Britain asked if South African forces would invade German South-West Africa, Botha said they could and would. In early September 1914, troops under General Henry Lukin and Lieutenant Colonel Manie Maritz were mobilised along the border. On 19 September, another force occupied the German port of Lüderitz.
Brigadier-General Christiaan Frederick Beyers, the Commandant-General of the Union Defence Force, opposed the government’s decision to attack.
Quick Facts
- Conflict
- Maritz rebellion
- Part Of
- the Boer Wars and the South West Africa campaign of World War I
- Location
- South Africa
- Result
- South African government victory / Rebellion suppressed / South Africa occupies German South West Africa / Rise of the National Party
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
After the rebellion, the South African army continued into German South-West Africa and conquered it by July 1915. Compared to the Easter Rising ringleaders, the Boer rebels received relatively light sentences: six and seven years' imprisonment and heavy fines, and were released after two years. The exception was Jopie Fourie, a Union Defence Force officer who did not resign before joining the rebellion. His commando inflicted 40 percent of government casualties and fired during a truce, killing a soldier who was a former friend. Fourie was executed by firing squad on 20 December 1914. In a letter before his death, he wrote, 'The tree which has been planted and which is wetted with my blood will grow large and bear delightful fruit.'
Reader's Guide
The Maritz rebellion was a significant but failed attempt by Boer nationalists to restore the South African Republic during World War I. It highlighted the deep divisions within South African society just twelve years after the Second Boer War, as many government members themselves were former Boer fighters. The rebellion's suppression demonstrated the strength of the Union government under Louis Botha, who mobilized 32,000 troops—mostly Afrikaners—against the 12,000 rebels. The harsh treatment of Jopie Fourie, executed for failing to resign his commission, contrasted with the later leniency shown to other ringleaders, reflecting Botha's emphasis on reconciliation. The rebellion also underscored the pro-German sentiment among some Boers, who saw England's war as their opportunity for independence. Its failure paved the way for South Africa's conquest of German South-West Africa, but the bitterness lingered, as seen in Fourie's prophetic final letter. The event is sometimes called the Third Boer War or the Five Shilling rebellion, though the source does not explain the latter name.
Did You Know?
- The rebellion is also known as the Third Boer War or the Five Shilling rebellion.
- At least 124 out of 12,000 rebels were killed in battle, and 300 died during a retreat into the Kalahari Desert.
- Jopie Fourie was executed by firing squad on 20 December 1914 for failing to resign his commission before joining the rebellion.
- General de Wet, upon capture, said: 'Thank God it was not an Englishman who captured me after all.'
More in Rebellions against the British Empire 1-24
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