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History General

Canada's Little War

Fighting for the British Empire in Southern Africa 1899-1902

by (author) Carman Miller

Publisher
James Lorimer & Company Ltd., Publishers
Initial publish date
Mar 2006
Category
General, Americas
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9781550288056
    Publish Date
    Mar 2006
    List Price
    $19.95
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9781550288001
    Publish Date
    Oct 2003
    List Price
    $29.95
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781552772058
    Publish Date
    Feb 2008
    List Price
    $29.95

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Description

The Boer War in South Africa was Canada's first trial by fire.

The pre-eminent superpower of the day, Great Britain, had decided to wage one of its 'little wars' against two white Protestant, Dutch-speaking republics in southern Africa, who had declared their independence from all European empires. At stake was control of rich resources--gold and diamonds--and strategic advantage.

Canada was divided. Many Canadians wanted to see their country prove its loyalty to the Empire by sending troops to fight alongside the British. Others felt Canada had no quarrel with the Boers, and no justification for taking up arms against them and their much-demonized leader.

In the end, the Canadian government sent 7,000 Canadian troops to South Africa, to augment a British force 200,000 strong. Some contributed to conventional military victories; others became part of a horrifying 'dirty war,' where the British used scorched-earth tactics and created concentration camps that imprisoned women and children. Canadian experiences both home and abroad foreshadowed their experiences in the great conflagration to come, the First World War.

About the author

Carman Miller is the Chairman and Associate Professor in the History Department at McGill University. He holds the Ph.D. degree from King’s College, University of London. His previous publications include articles focusing on the career of Sir Frederick Borden, a Minister of Militia at the time of the Fourth Earl of Minto, and Canada’s participation in the South African War during Minto’s term of office as Governor–General.

Carman Miller's profile page