To which army did Laurier's recruited volunteers belong when they went to South Africa?

• A. The British Army
• B. The Canadian Army
• C. The Dutch Army
• D. The American Army

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is how Canada’s military effort fit into the larger imperial system during the Boer War. When Laurier’s volunteers went to South Africa, there wasn’t yet a separate Canadian Army fighting abroad. These volunteers served under British command as part of the British Army, joining British units to support the Empire’s war effort. This reflects how Canada contributed troops through Imperial forces rather than fielding a distinct Canadian army overseas at that time. They weren’t part of the Dutch or American forces, and the independent Canadian Army hadn’t been established for overseas campaigns yet.