Unit 2: Boer War (1899 – 1902)

Boer War (1899 – 1902)

As the Frontier Wars continued, the newly forming Australian nation became involved in its first overseas conflict. Indigenous people, who had up until this point been warriors fighting for Country, now had to decide if, instead, they would fight as soldiers on behalf of a country and Empire that was actively in the process of colonising them. Just as the ongoing Frontier Wars were a fight for survival by Indigenous people against the colonists, so was the decision to risk death in a foreign land during the Boer War.

This unit highlights the stories of individuals as they navigated modern warfare and the social, cultural, and political implications of their decisions to fight for country in the Boer War. This unit introduces the theme of choice: what does it mean to ‘choose’ to enlist when there is no other paid employment available to you.

Download Teaching and Learning Overview (PDF, 1MB)

Learning intention

We are learning about the Indigenous soldiers who fought in the Boer War.

Success criteria

• I understand what the word colonists means in context of the Boer War.
  
• I can explain why Indigenous and non-Indigenous soldiers went to fight in the Boer War.
• I can share information about Jack Alick, an Indigenous solder who fought in the Boer War.

Unit 2: Boer War 1899 – 1902

Part 1 - Stimulus video and listening notes

Part 2 - Class/group discussion

Part 3 - Definition of key concepts

Part 4 - Australian soldiers for the empire

Part 5 - Jack Alick investigation

Part 6 - Jack Alick profile

Teaching and learning resources

This unit has a variety of teaching resources that provide background content knowledge and multi-media learning materials.

• Audio-visual stimulus
• Teaching worksheets
• Study notes
• Jack Alick case study