Canada and the South African War: A Case for Further Including the South African War into the Ontario History Curriculum

The South African War (1899-1902) was an important event in Canadian history as it not only impacted English-French relations in Canada, but also shaped Canada’s imperial relations and national identity. That said, the South African War comprises a very small proportion of the Ontario history curriculum during the grades in which history is a mandatory subject. Through an analysis of the images and stereotypes surrounding Canadian soldiers, the creation of Canadian-specific battalions, and the success of Canadian forces in battles such as Paardeberg, this article provides an explanation for why the South African War is an important component of Canadian history that is worthy of study. Additionally, this article provides a study of how the South African War is currently included in the Ontario history curriculum prior to Grade 11 (at which time history is no longer a mandatory subject) and makes a case for why the war should be further included. It is ultimately argued that the South African War is an important event in Canadian history and should therefore be included to a greater extent in the Ontario history curriculum.