The Anglo-Zulu War was fought in 1879 between the British Empire and the Zulu Kingdom.

Following a campaign by which Lord Carnarvon had successfully brought about federation in Canada, it was thought that similar combined military and political campaigns might succeed with the various African Kingdoms, tribal areas and Boer republics in South Africa.

In 1874, Sir Henry Bartle Frere was sent to South Africa as High Commissioner for the British Empire to bring the plans into being.