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South African War (1899–1902)

On 13 Oct. 1899, without consulting parliament, Prime Minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier agreed to send Canadian volunteers to South Africa to support Great Britain in its war against the Boers. British imperialism, ever present as background, prompted two different visions of the country’s future – imperialism versus nationalism – and divided English and French Canadians. Between 1899 and 1902, Canada dispatched 7,300 men to assist the British in the South African War. The end of the war in May 1902 temporarily eased tensions between English and French Canadians over relations between the mother country and Canada.

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Other Resources

10 Quick Facts on... The South African War - Quick Facts - Information for Educators - Remembrance - Veterans Affairs Canada. Content archived on 3 Oct. 2022
BBC - History - The Boer Wars
Boer War. Content archived on 24 June 2018
Boer War begins in South Africa - Oct 11, 1899 - HISTORY.com
Canada Remembers the South African War Historical Sheet - South African War - History - Remembrance - Veterans Affairs Canada. Content archived on 19 Apr. 2021
Canada and the Boer War – All About Canadian History
Canada and the South African War - The Canadian Encyclopedia. Content archived on 25 Dec. 2024
Canadian Troops and Farm Burning in the South African War - Canadian Military Journal
First Anglo Boer War | South African History Online
First Boer War - Wikipedia
For Queen and Country: Canadians and the South African War, 1899-1902 | Dispatches | Learn | Canadian War Museum
Military history of South Africa - Wikipedia
Parks Canada - Canada and the South African War National Historic Event
Second Anglo-Boer War 1899 - 1902 | South African History Online
Second Boer War - Wikipedia
South Africa War Graves Project
South Africa and World War One - History Learning Site
South African War (1899-1902) - Canada.ca. Content archived on 29 Nov. 2023
South African War - History - Remembrance - Veterans Affairs Canada. Content archived on 17 Apr. 2021
South African War | British-South African history | Britannica.com
South African War | The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada Regimental Museum and Archives
South African War, 1899-1902 - Service Files, Medals and Land Applications - Library and Archives Canada
South African Wars (1879–1915) - Wikipedia
The Boer War
The Boer War in South Africa (1899-1902). Content archived on 4 Aug. 2021
WarMuseum.ca - Canada and the South African War (Boer War) - 1899-1902
WarMuseum.ca - South African War - Boer War Maps

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