23 February 1854
Bloemfontein Convention
Britain recognised the independence of the territory between the Orange and Vaal rivers, creating the Orange Free State.
View in timelineOn 23 February 1854, Britain and representatives of the Boer communities in the territory between the Orange and Vaal rivers signed the Bloemfontein Convention. Britain recognised the territory's independence, creating the Orange Free State. The settlement did not represent all communities living within or claiming land in the new state.
Significance
The convention is the diplomatic founding of the Orange Free State as an independent Boer republic.
Why it matters
The convention is the diplomatic founding of the Orange Free State as an independent Boer republic, but its recognition did not settle African land rights or political authority within the territory.
Perspective notes
Britain treated the convention as a transfer of responsibility and the Boer representatives as recognition of independence. African polities and communities affected by the new state were not represented as equal parties to the settlement.