Timeline

19th century

1. 1816★★★★★

   Shaka becomes king of the Zulu

   Shaka became king of the Zulu, reorganised its army and built the Zulu Kingdom into the dominant power of southern Africa, amid the upheavals known as the Mfecane.

   DynastyWar· South Africa
2. December 16, 1838★★★★★

   Battle of Blood River

   During the Great Trek, a party of Voortrekkers defeated the Zulu army of King Dingane at the Ncome River in Natal.

   War· South Africa
3. January 22, 1879★★★★★

   Battle of Isandlwana

   In the Anglo-Zulu War, a Zulu army defeated a British column at Isandlwana, one of the worst defeats of the British army by an indigenous force.

   War· South Africa, United Kingdom
4. December 16, 1880 – March 23, 1881★★★★★

   First Boer War

   Boers of the Transvaal rose against British annexation and regained self-government after their victory at Majuba Hill.

   War· South Africa, United Kingdom
5. October 11, 1899 – May 31, 1902★★★★★

   Second Boer War

   The British Empire fought the Boer republics of the Transvaal and Orange Free State; the war ended with the Treaty of Vereeniging, after tens of thousands of civilians died in concentration camps.

   War· South Africa, United Kingdom