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In South Africa, on 11 October 1899, war broke out between the British Imperialists and the Boers
(descendants of Dutch Protestant farmers) who had been engulfed in conflict for over fifty years.
The British Imperialists, located in the Cape Colony and Natal, wanted to have South Africa unified
under British rule. The Boers, who occupied the more northern independent republics of the Orange
Free State and Transvaal, wanted to remain independent. Throughout the 19th Century more and
more commercially minded British settlers had moved to the Cape Colony causing many Boers to move
further inland to protect their way of life. With the discovery of gold and diamonds in Transvaal,
the tensions grew between the Boers and the English newcomers (Uitlanders, meaning foreigners).
These tensions soon erupted into all out war and the second Boer War commenced. (The first Boer
War occurred in 1880-1881).
Prime Minister Laurier endeavoured to keep Canada out of this conflict and the country was
divided over whether or not Canada should participate. This conflict was seen by some Canadians
as Britain's war in which Canada should not become involved, while others were drawn to the idea
of fighting in South Africa and defending the British Empire. The Canadian Government was divided
between those, primarily French Canadians, who wished to stay out of the war and others, primarily
English Canadians, who wanted to join with Britain in her fight. In the end, Canada agreed to
support the British by providing volunteers, equipment and transportation to South Africa.
Britain would be responsible for paying the troops and returning them to Canada at the end of
their service. The Boer War marked the first occasion in which large contingents of Canadian
troops served abroad.
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