History 144 L1: Introduction: South Africa after the Anglo-Boer war

What year was the Union of South Africa formed?

1910

Why was the Union of South Africa formed?

The British victory in the South African War

What was special about the formation of the Union?

It was the first time that South Africa existed as a political entity in its current borders

Why was the Union conceived? What was its aim?

As a way of bringing white English and Afrikaans speakers into a single political project

What was the question within white politics?

Whether the state would be dominated by Afrikaners, or by white English and Afrikaans speakers together

What would neither white English or Afrikaans speakers do?

Challenge the racial organisation of society

What was black politics about?

Challenging the white domination of the state

What was happening to black political organisation over this period?

Black political organisation was becoming stronger

What type of economy did South Africa have at the start of this period?

South Africa was an agricultural economy with some mining

What need did the growing importance of manufacturing and service industries create?

The need for a more urban and more educated workforce

What was a particular feature of South Africa during the 20th century?

How political decisions enforced the organisation of society along racial line, through allocating different economic opportunities to South Africans of different racial classifications

What was the state of SA after the Anglo-Boer War?

1. At a time when the British Empire dominated the world

2. The British victory in the war meant that all of South Africa was now under the control of the British Empire

3. The Cape and Natal were still colonies

4. Orange Free State and Transvaal were formerly Boer republics, now colonies

5. Colonies had a certain degree of self government: they had parliaments that could make their own laws

What is a ‘protectorate’?

African rulers governed these territories under an agreement that the British would protect them from invasion by another power

What countries were protectorates?

Bechuanaland (Botswana), Basotholand (Lesotho), and Swaziland (eSwatini)

Which countries were German colonies?

South West Africa (Namibia)

What was happening in Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe)?

British South Africa Company took control in the 1890s after white settlers began to occupy land

Which countries were Portuguese colonies?

Angola and Mozambique

What was South Africa’s economy like in 1902?

An economy built on farming and mining without much industry yet

What was the economy like in the city?

A capitalist economy, based on private ownership and profit making

What was migrant labour?

African men worked limited contracts in mines

What restricted African presence in cities? 

Pass law

Where were most Africans based?

Rural home areas; few settled in cities

What role was expected of African women? 

Remain in rural areas

How did colonisation change African livelihoods? 

Taxes forced rural Africans into mine work

What roles did white Afrikaners have?

Mostly farmers; some working‑class in cities post‑Anglo‑Boer War

Who dominated business and professions?

White English speakers

What roles did Coloureds and Indians hold?

Professionals, small business, and working‑class in towns

When did “coloured” and “white” become official categories?

Around 1902 in official documents

Who could vote in Boer republics?

Only white men

How did the Cape’s franchise differ?

In theory open to all men, but property/literacy laws excluded most black voters

How strict was Natal’s franchise?

Even stricter than the Cape

What issue arose during Union talks?

Black enfranchisement differences across colonies

What Afrikaner organisation shaped identity in the 1870s?

Genootskap van Regte Afrikaners

How did the Anglo‑Boer War affect Afrikaner nationalism?

Deepened resentment of British, strengthened nationalism

Who led reconstruction after the war?

Lord Alfred Milner

What were Milner’s beliefs?

Imperialism, white political superiority, Anglicisation

What did Anglicisation involve?

Promoting British culture, settlers, English schools

Why did Anglicisation fail?

Boer resentment, lack of settlers, rise of Afrikaans

What were Milner’s economic policies?

Revive mining, restore Boer farms, train farmers in modern techniques

What was the Lagden Commission’s stance?

Rejected racial equality; supported segregation

What did the Selborne Memorandum (1907) argue?

 Unified response to the “native question” across provinces

When was the National Convention held?

1908–1910, with white male delegates only

Why was Union seen as necessary?

Economic links (labour, transport) and common white identity

What challenges existed?

Afrikaner nationalism vs South Africanism, differing franchise policies

What compromises were made?

Three capitals, existing franchise systems kept, vote extended to white women, blacks represented only via white MPs

When was the Union formed and who was PM?

31 May 1910; Louis Botha