Why the Union was formed

Why the Union was formed
The Union of South Africa was a Federation of the two Boer republics- Transvaal and Orange Free State and the two British Provinces -Cape Colony and Natal.
It was formed after 1910 between the Boers and the British after several years of hostility and conflict as early as the Great Trek.
It was formed aimed at stopping hostility between the Boers and the British.
The British were threatening to destroy Boer independence and the two groups came into a Union.
The British feared that the Boers could co-operate with the Germans in Namibia and the Portuguese in Mozambique and Angola to out compete them in South Africa.
The peace treaty of Vereeniging after the Anglo-Boer wars called for unity and this led to a Union.
It was formed to avoid competition between the whites in South Africa especially Customs Union, trade policies, to avoid economic barriers and integration of railways of Transvaal and Orange Free State under one authority.
To lower administrative costs and avoid repetition of services in South Africa.
The fear of African revolts made the whites united, e.g. Africans had revolted, in 1879 Anglo- Zulu war and 1906 Bambatta rebellion in Zulu land, the 1875-76 Bapedi- Boer war, and the earlier 1854 Basuto- Cape wars, etc.
The whites were aware of African hatred and this threat united them.
There was no opposition from the Boer and British sides. The men who could have opposed it had died especially Paul Kruger, Hendrik Brand and Cecil Rhodes.
There was also a need to restore a responsible government amongst the whites.
It was also formed against Indian threats. The Indians under Mahatma Gandhi who had come during the exploitation of minerals started demanding their rights.
The efforts of the British High Commissioner in South Africa Lord Selbourne helped very much to foster the Union of South African states.