What if the British had managed to hold on to the South African Republic (ZAR/Transvaal) but left the Orange Free State independent? They'd either win the First Boer War here or avoid it entirely (likely due to Major-General George Pomeroy Colley visiting Transvaal himself rather than delegating responsibility to a subordinate who did not know the Boers' concerns or military capacity as well).
My understanding is that most of the diamonds, gold, and other minerals the British were interested in were in Transvaal and Kimberley (northern cape) rather than in the Free State.
Orange Free State has fairly defined boundaries here, with the Drakensberg, Orange, and Vaal rivers.
My understanding is that most of the diamonds, gold, and other minerals the British were interested in were in Transvaal and Kimberley (northern cape) rather than in the Free State.
Orange Free State has fairly defined boundaries here, with the Drakensberg, Orange, and Vaal rivers.