'How did they justify the Boer War?' Actually the real reasons seemed to be you've got gold and diamonds and we want them. But the justification was that they refused to give voting and other rights to non-Boer inhabitants. I seem to remember something similar happening there until comparatively recently. It was called apartheid.

On the subject of smallpox infected blankets, it was actually just two blankets and a handkerchief, not like one blanket each. Despicable nonetheless.

I've just finished an excellent book 'Crucible of War' - the Seven Years War and the fate of Empire in British North America 1754-1766 by Fred Anderson. Heartily recommended reading. Oh and apart from the religion, the French encouraged the 'indians' to raid farms and other outposts, and massacre and enslave white people. Nobody comes out clean in the end.