King William's Town During the South African War, 1899-1902

The 1899-1902 Anglo-Boer (more accurately known asthe South African War) is one of the formative eventsof South African history. This innovative studyexamines the impact of the war on the society of KingWilliam’s Town, a relatively large commercial andmanufacturing centre in the Cape Colony of SouthAfrica. It explores issues of race, class andculture in a colonial society which was affected byboth the South African War as well as long-termchallenges such as the decline of the town inrelation to the neighbouring town of East London.Tracing the themes of social structure and racialattitudes, the town’s economy, political processes,military matters, civic affairs, cultural life andsocial control, it analyses how African and settlerresidents perceived and responded to the end of themillennium, the war and other stresses exerted uponthe town.