Painting the Map Red

For almost 3 years, the Canadian public was mesmerized by the war. It affected trade, industry, transportation, fashion, discourse, literature, graphics, and music. By the time the Anglo-Boer War ended in May 1902, 7368 young soldiers and 16 nurses had sailed from Canada for South Africa. About 270 died there, killed in battle or disease. The author explains why men volunteered for service in this distant conflict despite the rancorous pre-war debate on the wisdom of Canadian participation. He examines the difficulties of leading citizen soldiers, and compares the differing styles of leadership. He also reveals how the soldiers' experiences in the field, and the public's perceptions of the war altered Canadian opinion, politics, and military development.