The History of South Africa (1900s)

By isabellekupka

  • Establishment of Union of South Africa

    Established from the British colonies of Cape of Good Hope, Natal, Transvaal, and Orange Free State. Herbert John Gladstone became the first governor-general and Louis Botha the first prime minister.

  • The Land Act

    Land Act introduced to prevent blacks, except those living in Cape Province, from buying land outside reserves.

  • National Party founded.

  • Period: to

    WWI

  • South West Africa (Namibia) comes under South African administration.

  • The Union Act

    The Union of South Africa parliament enacts the Status of the Union Act, which declares the country to be "a sovereign independent state". The move followed on from Britain's passing of the Statute of Westminster in 1931, which removed the last vestiges of British legal authority over South Africa
  • Period: to

    WWII

  • Beginning of the Apartheid

    The Apartheid began with the National Party's rise to power.
  • Period: to

    Apartheid Era

    Area of legalized descrimination in Soouth Africa

  • Communist Party is banned

    The Afrikaner National Congress initiates the Afrikaner Resistance Movement, led by Nelson Mandela. Population was being segregated between black and whites and the Communist Party is banned in 1948.
  • Period: to

    The Korean War

  • South African Air Force is called into the Korean War

    South African pilots were summoned to learn how to use American F-51D Mustangs to participate in the war.

  • South African Airforce awarded for participation in the Korean War

    "The Flying Cheetahs" won various American decorations and even one presidential citation.

  • South African Republic

    South Africa declared a republic, leaves the Commonwealth. Mandela heads ANC's new military wing, which launches sabotage campaign.

  • Nelson Mandela sentenced for life in prison.

  • Nelson Mandela is released after 27 years in prison.

    ANC unbanned, Namibia becomes independent.