1. The South African War (1899-1902) & The Naval Crisis (1909)
Sir Wilfrid Laurier & The Challenge of British Imperialism

2. Britain Pressures Laurier.....
Pre-WW I: Britain seeking to strengthen ties with its colonies (Canada, Australia, New Zealand)
Britain expects colonies assist the Mother Country in solving imperial problems
PM Laurier faces two such issues during his term as Prime Minister
In both cases, English Canadians favor supporting Britain while French Canadians are opposed
What course of action should Laurier pursue?

3. The South African (Boer) War, 1899-1902
South Africa became British colony when it was obtained from the Netherlands (Dutch) in 1806
Original Dutch settlers moved inland, establish two independent republics, Orange Free State and Transvaal, clear and farm the land
Dutch settlers known as "Boers" (Dutch for "farmer")

4. The Root Causes of the Boer War
1885: Gold discovered in Transvaal
Thousands of British settlers and prospectors pour into the region but are denied political rights by the Boer government
British companies mining gold are heavily taxed by the Boer government
Britain pressured to intervene on behalf of settlers and mining companies

5. The war begins....
October 1, 1899: Britain declares war on Orange Free State and Transvaal
Britain asks Canada and other British colonies to assist the war effort by providing troops
Laurier has to decide whether or not Canada should participate

6. A Conflict of Opinions
English Canadians favored sending Canadian troops in support of their Mother Country "in its time of need"
Lord Minto (Governor- General) and General Edward Hutton (British commander of Canadian militia) pressure Laurier to send Canadian soldiers to South Africa

7. A conflict of opinions
French Canadians consider the conflict as "Britain's colonial war" and none of Canada's business
Opposition to sending troops led by French Canadian nationalist, Henri Bourassa
Grandson of Louis-Joseph Papineau and a political colleague, Bourassa soon became Laurier's fiercest critic

8. Laurier seeks a compromise
Canada would raise a volunteer force of 1000 troops and pay costs of transporting them to South Africa
Once there, troops would be placed under British command
In total, 7000 Canadians served in the Boer War
First time Canadian troops served in an overseas conflict

9. Reactions to Laurier's decision
Neither side pleased
English Canadians accused Laurier of avoiding Canada's "responsibility" to Britain
French Canadians feared Laurier's actions would result in Canada being dragged into future British imperial wars
Bourassa breaks with Laurier over the issue, resigning his House of Commons seat in protest

10. The Naval Issue
1909: Imperial Defense Conference held in London, England
Britain faces rising threat of Germany, which is building a modern navy to rival Britain's
Britain responds by building fleet of modern battleships
Britain pressures Canada and other colonies to make a financial contribution to help pay construction costs
HMS Dreadnought, British battleship

11. Laurier's Compromise
Laurier resists British pressure for direct financial contribution
1910: Laurier introduces Naval Service Bill, a plan to build a Canadian navy under Canadian command
In time of war, with consent of Parliament, the Canadian navy would be available to Britain
HMCS Niobe, one of Canada's first naval vessels

12. Response to Laurier's Actions
Robert Borden and Conservative opposition denounce Naval Service Bill as "feeble" and "insufficient"
Tory humorist Stephen Leacock labels Laurier's plan a "tinpot navy"

13. Response to Laurier's Actions
Bourassa and Quebec nationalists criticized plan as "going too far"
Bourassa feared that Laurier would give in to British pressure if war occurred, as had happened in South Africa
HMCS Rainbow in drydock at Esquimalt, BC

14. Laurier's Defeat
1911 Election: Laurier campaigns on platform promising Reciprocity (free trade) with US
Combination of fear of annexation and opposition to Laurier's compromises (Boer War & Naval Bill) results in his defeat
Conservative Robert Borden becomes PM
Laurier will spend the final 8 years of his life as leader of the Opposition