JCH 2009 Volume 34 Issue 2

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Browsing JCH 2009 Volume 34 Issue 2 by Author "Wessels, Andre"

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    The Hellenic school in Bloemfontein
    (Faculty of Humanities, University of the Free State, 2009) Katoleon, Georgios; Wessels, Andre
    Abstract not available
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    An historical perspective on the influence of the military environment on chaplaincy, with special reference to the Namibian War of Independence, 1966-1989
    (Faculty of Humanities, University of the Free State, 2009) Bredenkamp, Izette; Wessels, Andre
    Abstract not available
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    Lord Kitchener en die Anglo-Boereoorlog (1899-1902): 'n evaluering van sy opperbevelhebberskap
    (Faculty of Humanities, University of the Free State, 2009) Wessels, Andre
    The purpose of this study (which is primarily based on archival sources) is to provide a critical reappraisal of the work done by Lord Kitchener as commander-in-chief of the British forces during the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902). From the study it is clear that Kitchener was a remarkable, albeit complicated and controversial military officer who left an enduring legacy in South Africa, as is the case in Sudan and to some extent in India. When he took over from Lord Roberts as supreme commander in South Africa at the end of November 1900, the war against the Boers was supposed to have been almost over, but in practice the conflict soon escalated both geographically and in intensity. Kitchener had no other option but to expand the scorched earth policy (which was started by Roberts), with very negative consequences for both the white and black civilians in the war zone. Eventually Kitchener was ruthlessly successful; and during the peace negotiations with Boer delegates at Pretoria, he proved to be an excellent negotiator and diplomat.
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    Lord Roberts: Koningin Victoria se "ander generaal"
    (Faculty of Humanities, University of the Free State, 2009) Wessels, Andre
    In the course of the 64 years that Queen Victoria reigned over the British Empire, from 1837 to 1901, her army was involved in no fewer than 230 wars, punitive expeditions and other military campaigns. This afforded many British officers the opportunity to build “heroic” careers. Lord Roberts of Kandahar (and later, inter alia, also of Pretoria) was probably Victoria’s most famous and most beloved field marshal. In this article, his career is critically analysed, with special reference to the Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878-1880), in an effort to better understand how and why he became so famous, and to ascertain to what extent his success can be attributed to his own abilities and decisions; or rather, to luck. His earlier campaigns will also be compared with his role during the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902), before – in the concluding sections – his role as Commander-in-Chief at the War Office and career until his death in 1914 will be discussed. Throughout, mention will also be made of his “competition” with Sir Garnet Wolseley – regarded by some as Victoria’s “only general”, while Roberts’ supporters referred to their champion as Victoria’s “other general”.
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    Om die toekoms van ons verlede te verseker: fasette betreffende die aard en uitdagings vir die geskiedenis-as-wetenskap vandag in Suid-Afrika
    (Faculty of Humanities, University of the Free State, 2009) Wessels, Andre
    At the beginning of the third millennium, history as a subject at school level and as an academic discipline at universities is facing several challenges in South Africa. Are we, as a country, suffering from historical amnesia? Do we really know who we are, where we came from, and where we are heading? In this study, a brief review of what history is (or should be) is provided, and it is indicated what value the study of history has, what the task of the professional historian is, and a few comments are made with regard to, for example, people’s history and a multiperspective approach to history. Throughout it is indicated what must be done to ensure the future of our past, for example that historians must equip society with a truly historical perspective, so that it will be saved from the detrimental effects of exposure to political and ideological propaganda and historical myths. People must come to terms with their past, so that they can understand themselves (and others) better, and can learn to forgive, without the pressure that all must be forgotten.
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    Op weg na die politieke draaipunt van 1948: drie eeue van vrees as faktor in die geskiedenis van Suid-Afrika
    (Faculty of Humanities, University of the Free State, 2009) Du Bruyn, Derek; Wessels, Andre
    The desire to safeguard themselves, and the aims of preserving and protecting an own identity, are central themes in the history of the Afrikaner. There is no doubt that the concomitant fear in white ranks is firmly rooted in history. Fear of both racial and political domination has had a permanent impact on the psyche of the Afrikaner, even before he had become aware of himself as a separate nation. It was the fear of the growing threat of a numerically superior indigenous black population in particular that would become an independent variable, not only in Afrikaner politics, but also in the broader context of white politics. The source of fear for Afrikaners in particular changed as time passed – from a fear of Anglicisation by the British to a fear of equality and mixing with blacks. The “right-wing line”, as well as the “fear line”, has been motivated, stimulated, or at least influenced by historical events and tendencies which strengthened white fears in some way or other, and as a result fostered right-wing sentiments. This study makes clear that fear as a political instrument may be manipulated to achieve specific political objectives.