The 1910 Act Of Union

The 1910 Act Of Union


On September 20th 1909, the Union of South Africa was passed in the white Cape Parliament, which proposed a Constitution.
The Parliament chose May 31st, 1910, as the actual date for the Union of South Africa.
Steps to the 1910 Act or Union in South Africa
In the 1850's, the British devised schemes for federation. In 1858 George Grey was empowered to make recommendations. His report supported the idea and recommended the inclusion of the Orange Free State or former Orange River Sovereignty and Transvaal.
In 1858, there was the unification of the two Boer republics of Lydenburg and Utrecht, Zoutpansburg accepted the Constitution.
In 1866, there was the unification of the Cape Colony with the British Kaffraria. In 1868 Basuto land was annexed and in 1871 Griqualand. British policies could then be applied over a wider area.
In the 1870's Caernarvon made effort towards Union. Iv 1878 Jan Hofrneyr founded the Farmer's Protection Association. He was a Boer resident in the Cape Colony. This step provided basis for union.
In 1877 the British annexed Transvaal directly paving way for eventual unification.
By 1890's Cecil Rhodes had earlier formed the De' Beers Consolidated Company and later the British South African Company was chartered in 1890. The company advocated for union.
On 31st May 1902 the peace treaty of Vereeniging was signed. Boer republics lost independence though they were p-omised full responsible government. All major areas in South Africa were under direct British control.
Between 1902 to 1910 was a period of significant steps. In 1905, P. N. Bortha and Jan Smuts founded the Peoples Party in Transvaal, which stressed reconciliation and accepted all terms of the treaty.
In May 1908, a conference was held to consider the details of the union. From 12/10/1908 to 05/11/1908 a National Convention was held in Durban and 23/11/1908 to 02/02/1909 in the Cape Town.
In the Convention clause of equality between the Dutch and English languages was agreed on and the name Orange Free Colony changed to Orange Free State. A draft Constitution was made for the Union.
On the 31/05/1910 the British Parliament passed the South African Act. The union came into being and the four colonies became provinces.
Between 1854-74, Sir George Grey, Governor of the Cape and the British Colonial Secretary Lord Carenarvon, the latter appointed by the British Prime Minister Disraeli, who attempted to federate aJl the two South African states and the two British provinces of South Africa.