Transcript The Boer War 1899-1902

The Boer War 1899-1902
Background
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The Boers were people of Dutch descent.
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They lived in and controlled Southern Africa.
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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.
Background
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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.
Canada's Connections
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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.
French Canadians
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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
English Canadians
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Had a strong connection with the Empire
Felt it was their duty to help Britain, seeing as
they were a member of the Empire
Laurier's Compromise
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No conscription
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Have Canadian units fight alongside the British
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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.