13. WHY WAS THE UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA NOT POSSIBLE BEFORE 1850’S AND POSSIBLE AFTER 1902

13. WHY WAS THE UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA NOT POSSIBLE BEFORE 1850’S AND POSSIBLE AFTER 1902?

Background
The ideas of the federation were attempts to bring about working relationship and common understanding of the whites in South Africa. It was first started by George Grey in 1854 whose aim was to bring about a common understanding amongst the Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, and British Kaffraria among others. He wanted a unitary system of government, collective responsibility and dialogue with regard to the future of South Africa. Later it was adopted by Lord Carnavon, why not possible before
1. Wrong misconception by George Grey that the Newsland experience would be applied in South Africa where the Boers had strong conviction of racial prejudice than the Maori who did not have strong conviction of racial prejudice
2. The wrong timing of the idea of federation that is the Great trek was still vivid, suspicion was still high, and even then some Boers were not settled by 1880s.
3. George Grey didn't publicise the issue of the federation before implementing it, he didn't hold conferences and didn't ask for plebiscites from the Boer states.
4. Worsened relationship between the Boers and the Sotho of Mosheshe in Basuto land led to failure of the federation. They had boundary conflicts and Grey tried to unite the two and signed the treaty of Smith field in 1855, however in 1856, war broke out and the Sotho were defeated. The Boers then urged that the British had supported the Sotho and thus
5. Discovery of diamonds at Kimberly in 1867, the Boers then thought that the federation was intended to exploit their mines at Kimberly. In fact due to the discovery, the Boers became economically strong to stand on their own thus saw no reason for the federation,
6. Presence of Hard lines like Cecil Rhodes and Paul Kruger who were not willing to solve their differences peacefully.
7. The question of the nature of government the union was to adopt also affected the union, whereas the British preferred a federal system, the Boers preferred a military system.
8. The question of where the capital was to be, whereas the Boers wanted it in their republic. The British too liked it to be in their republic. Thus
9. Continues British attacks on Boer Republics affected the union
10. Racial policy strongly affected the union.
11. Question of official language to be used in the union posed a challenge to the federation.
H owever, later it became possible because of the following factors.
1. The role of Sir. George Grey and Lord Carnaron who laid a foundation in 1850'sand 1870's
2. The role and effectiveness of the treaty of Vereeniging of l902 whichnormalized British - Boer relations.
3. Death of hard liners like Cecil Rhodes, Paul Kruger leading to the coming up of leaders like Selbourne who was in favours of the union
4. The issue of where the capital would be was solved when they choose three capitals i.e. Cape Colony for legislative matters, feretories for judiciary then
Bloemfontein for administrative matters
5. The problem of the nature of government was solved when they both agreed on a military system i.e. the British withdraw their federal system
6. The question of official language of the union was solved by making Dutch and English languages official.
7. The British act of stopping to interfere into the affairs of Transvaal made theBoers trust the British for the union
8. There was continued desire to create a large market for white produce following the discovery of minerals.
195 A study Guide of Africun History