South African American War Research Paper

Lord Wolseley, the Commander-in-Chief of the British Army stated “I have but one great object in this world – that is to maintain the greatness of the British Empire ... I firmly believe that in doing so I work in the cause of Christianity, of peace, of civilization, and the happiness of the human race generally.”

The South African War or Anglo-Boer War was Canada’s first official foreign war. Also known as the Boer War, it was fought in South Africa between 1899 and 1902. The Boer War pitted the British Empire (including Dominions such as Canada) against the South Afrikaner Republics of Transvaal and the Orange Free State.2 This war foreshadowed what was to come in the First World War, illustrated the defensive advantage of entrenched soldiers,

In February of 1900, the British reinforced and reorganized their war effort after a series of defeats. Under new leadership, the British began to experience success against the Boer soldiers by marching their armies across the African grasslands to the Boer capitals of Bloemfontein and Pretoria.17 On February 17, 1990, a British column of 15,000 men and 1,000 Canadian troops confronted a Boer force of 5,000 at Paardeberg.18 A British led battle trapped the Boer Army on the banks of the Modder River from February 18-27, 1900. Over 800 Canadian soldiers from William Otter’s 2nd Special Service Battalion were involved in their first major attack and victory in the Boer War. However, Commonwealth soldiers resorted to using blockhouses (buildings with holes in its sides for firing heavy artillery at the enemy), burning farms, and moving civilians into concentration camps in order to compel the Boers into submission.19 The Boers, under General Cronje, surrendered on February 27 of

Some Canadians did not want Canada to become Britain’s ‘tool’ for engaging in armed conflicts. Many English Canadians were pro-Empire and wanted the Prime Minister of Canada, Sir Wilfred Laurier, to support the British. Furthermore, English Canadians viewed the Boer War as a struggle between civilization and barbarism.26 Although Laurier admired the British Empire as the world’s leading protector of the values of liberty and justice, he opposed the imperial federation.27 Many French Canadians sympathized with the Boers because they were regarded as an oppressed minority. Besides, French Canadians felt threatened by the continuation of British Imperialism to their national sovereignty. In order to appease the Canadians who wanted war and avoid angering those that did not, Laurier sent 1,000 volunteers (under the command of Lieutenant Colonel William Otter) to aid in the war.28 The volunteers were provided to the British with the stipulation that the British pay costs of the battalion after they arrived in South Africa. Later on, the French Canadians’ opposition to Canada’s involvement in the Boer War eventually led to a three-day riot in various areas of