COUNT FOR THE FORMATION OF UNION OF 1910

COUNT FOR THE FORMATION OF UNION OF 1910.

Approach
• Explain factors that led to the formation of the 1910
• No standing point required.
Background
• The idea was initiated by George Grey in 1854 and later lord Carnavon in 1872, but it failed probably because of the events and conditions of the time
• However in 1906, this issue re-surfaced not as a federation but as a union.
• Lord Selbourne the newly appointed British high commissioner in South Africa championed the cause and by May 1910 the long awaited union to reality.
• This was me joining together of the Boer republics and the Cape colony under a national parliament.
• It was envisaged in the 1902 Vereeniging treaty; hence this was a mere fulfillment
Points to consider
1. They (whites) wanted to promote unity against the blacks
2. The wanted to lower administrative costs
3. The British thought that the Boer republics would become so powerful against them.
4. The British annexation of Basuto land and Griqua land paved way for t he union.
5. The Boer republics of orange river state and Transvaal had become independent as well as Natal.
6. The outcome of the national convention of 1908 advocated for a large political union.
7. The customs union fostered a bigger union incorporating the colonies (common economic problems)
8. The British feared that the Boers would join the Portuguese and the Germans against them.
9. The whites wanted to repulse African threats following the Bambatha rebellion of 1906-07 and the Nama-Herero rebellion of 1904.
10. The Death of Cecil Rhodes and Paul Kruger who had acted as a stumbling block to the union.
11. The emergency of foresighted leaders led to the signing of the act e.g. Botha, Smuts and Hertzog.
12. The whites wanted to end the long term enmity that existed between them since the great trek of the 1830s.
13. Need to create ever lasting peace among the white races
14. The desire to have a common policy against Africans.
15. The strength of the Indians threatened the authority especially if they remained divided.
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17. The efforts of lord Selbourne.
18. Rise of Boer/ Afrikaner nationalism.
19. Need to fulfill the federation question that had been started by Sir George Grey way back in 1854.
20. The attainment of independence by Transvaal in 1900 and Orange Free State in 1908 respectively.