• When Canada was granted nationhood status from Great Britain, Canada became independent and had full control over her affairs. However Canada was still considered a part of Britain’s dominion and as such Canada’s foreign affair was often controlled by Britain. • In 1899 Britain came into conflict with Dutch settlers (Afrikaner) in South Africa. Britain called for and expected Canada to send troops to help in the fight. • English and French Canada sentiment towards assisting Britain was of course different. Reaction to the Boer War rehashed the ongoing divide between the French and English. • While Laurier supported Britain’s declaration of war he at the same time believed that the war posed no threat to Canada’s security. • Laurier’s decision to not send the troops to assist Britain drew support from French Canada and outrage from English Canada who saw it as a betrayal to Britain. • Laurier in the end compromised with the decision to send troops under the conditions that those going had to be volunteers and Britain had to pay them. • Initially 1000 volunteers enlisted and by the end of the conflict 8300 Canadians had volunteered and gone to support Britain in South Africa. • Of course Laurier’s compromise angered many of his colleagues as well as French Canadians. • Many felt this would be the first of many such wars Britain would call upon them to participate in.