The Boer War 1899-1902

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The Boer War 1899-1902
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Background

• The Boers were people of Dutch descent.
• They lived in and controlled Southern Africa.
• Britain controlled around South Africa, and
  wanted to control all of it.
• Gold was discovered in South Africa, so
  British miners began to arrive.
• Boers feared they would be outnumbered and
  absorbed to the British Empire.

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Background

• Boers passed discriminatory laws against the
  British.
• The British sent troops to demand the rights of
  British subjects, and the Boers demanded they
  leave.
• War broke out when they refused to leave.
• Boers used guerilla tactics aginst the
  British, who were unfamiliar with the land.

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Canada's Connections

• Britain called on its colonies for support in the
  war.
• The French and English differed on what to do.
• The differences between the English and French
  Canadians were shown dramatically by their
  reactions to the Boer War.

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French Canadians

• Felt no connection with the British empire
• Did not want to be involved in a British War
  halfway across the world
• Sympathized with Afrikaners
• Thought The war did not threaten Canada, and
  could lead to further participation in larger wars

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English Canadians

• Had a strong connection with the Empire
• Felt it was their duty to help Britain, seeing as
  they were a member of the Empire

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Laurier's Compromise

• No conscription
• Have Canadian units fight alongside the British
• This made it so that the English could help, and
  the French were not forced to go to war, and if
  they did, they were considered Canadian
  soldiers.