The Second Boer War, which lasted from 1899 to 1902, was a conflict primarily between the British Empire and the two Boer republics: the South African Republic (Transvaal) and the Orange Free State. The war emerged from tensions over British colonial interests and the aspirations of the Boer settlers for independence. By 1902, the war had become extraordinarily costly and contentious, leading to increasing pressure for a resolution. After years of guerrilla warfare and significant loss of life on both sides, peace negotiations commenced. The Treaty of Vereeniging was a product of these negotiations, reflecting the complexities of reconciling the interests of the British Empire and the Boer populations. Signed at Vereeniging on May 31, 1902, the treaty stipulated that the Boer republics would come under British control, thereby solidifying British influence in southern Africa. It also included provisions for the future governance of the territories, indicating the potential for self-governance after a period of reconstruction and integration into the British Empire. This treaty not only ended the hostilities but also set the stage for the eventual formation of the Union of South Africa in 1910, bringing together British colonies and Boer republics under a unified government structure.