James Hertzog Biography

Birth of James Hertzog

Appointed a General

Helps found the Orangia Unie

Advocates a "two-stream" policy regarding Dutch & English-speaking South Africans

Appointed Minister of Justice & Native Affairs, serves under Botha

Botha dissolves cabinet & excludes Hertzog because of his English-Dutch bilingualism

Advocates that Afrikaans & English culture should flow in parallel

Advocates, "South Africa First" & should use imperialism for its own sel-interest

The Bantu Land Act creates a division between the Bantu & Whites, drafted by Hertzog

The Bantu Land Act creates a division between the Bantu & Whites, drafted by Hertzog

The Bantu Land Act creates a division between the Bantu & Whites, drafted by Hertzog

Resigns from Bothas South Africa Party after his "South Africa First" speech

Founds the National Party newspaper, "Die Burger"

Founds the National Party for 2 stream English & Dutch cultural & national development

Founds the National Party for 2 stream English & Dutch cultural & national development

Leads a Boer delegation for the independence of the Transvaal & Orange Free State

Leads a Boer delegation for the independence of the Transvaal & Orange Free State

Leads a Boer delegation for the independence of the Transvaal & Orange Free State

Leads a Boer delegation for the independence of the Transvaal & Orange Free State

Demands complete independence for South Africa at Paris Conference

Forms a coalition Government with the South Africa Labour Party

Appointed Prime Minister of South Africa, 1st term

First comes to power iwith Hertzog as Prime Minister

Attends the Imperial Conference where the Balfour Declaration recognizes South Africa

Seeks clarification of the Union of South Africa as a Dominion. Returns claiming he has brought back independence & sovereign status for South Africa. Attends the Imperial Conference where the Balfour Declaration recognizes independence

Questions the Union of South Africa as a Dominion at the Imperial Conference

Defines Dominions as autonomous communities within the British Empire

Founds the Department of External Affairs

The National Party is returned with a majority of 7

South Africa begins sending diplomats broad

Portuguese Treaty with South Africa regulates transport & labour recruitment

The Hertzog Government works to undermine the Coloured (mixed race) vote by granting voting rights to white women, but not to Coloured women, effectively halving the voting power of the Coloured electorate

The Balfour Declaration of 1926 becomes law

The Balfour Declaration of 1926 becomes law. Britain renounces legislation over the Dominions

Britain renounces legislation over the Dominions

Appointed Prime Minister, 2nd term, shares power with the United Party of Smuts

Passes the Natives Bill which removes the Cape Natives from the common roll

The Balfour Declaration becomes law & Britain renounces legislation over the Dominions

Forms the United Party with Smuts so his Native Bill can be passed

Forms the Fusion Government

A hardline faction of Afrikaner nationalists, led by Malan, refuses to accept the merger and maintains a rump National Party called the Gesuiwerde Nasionale Party (Purified National Party).

Hertzog agrees to merge his National Party with the rival South Africa Party of Jan Smuts to form the United Party.

James Hertzog was formed by a merger of most of Prime Minister Barry Hertzogs National Party with the rival South Africa Party of Jan Smuts, plus the remnants of the Unionist Party.

Foundaton of the National Road Board, launches 5yr road construction programme

The denial of poltical rights by race or color becomes legitimate. Sets up the Native Representitive Council

The Native Trust & Land Act is passed

The Natives Bill excludes African representation in the House of Assembly. Passes the Aliens Bill to prevent Jewish immigration

Cape Africans are removed from the common roll.

Cape Natives are placed on a separate roll & allowed to vote for just 3 white MPs.

The Natives Bill excludes African representation in the House of Assembly.

Enactment of the "native bills", Herzog has the necassary 2/3 majority.

The Native Trust & Land Bill is passed.

Passes the Aliens Bill to prevent Jewish immigration.

Cape Africans cannot purchase land outside reserved areas.

Presents the Natives Representation Bill to a sitting of both Houses of Parliament.

The Native Laws Amenment Act extends segregation & control

The Native Laws Amenment Act extends segregation & control

Confirmed in power after South African elections

Confirmed in power after South African elections

Hertzog refused to commit South Africa to Britains war effort against Nazi Germany, the majority of the United Party caucus were of a different mind, however, and Hertzog resigns

Hertzog refused to commit South Africa to Britains war effort against Nazi Germany, the majority of the United Party caucus were of a different mind, however, and Hertzog resigns

The Fusion Government breaks up over Herzogs support for Britain in World War II

Smuts supports a Commonwealth alliance to fight World War II. Puts the case in Cabinet for South African neutrality, defeated by Smuts

Smuts supports a Commonwealth alliance to fight World War II

Puts the case in Cabinet for South African neutrality, defeated by Smuts

The cabinet is split, 7 vote for war & 6 against

On the day Britain declares war on Germany Hertzog supports neutrality

Forwards a motion in the House Assembly to remain neutral but defeated by 13 votes

Forwards a motion in the House Assembly to remain neutral but defeated by 13 votes

Makes a speech in Senate comparing Hitler's efforts with the struggle for Afrikaaners. Hertzogs motion for South African neutrality is defeated by the Senate. Hertzog is forced to resign when his policy of neutrality in World War II is defeated

Hertzog is forced to resign when his policy of neutrality in World War II is defeated

Hertzog is forced to resign when his policy of neutrality in World War II is defeated

South Africa declares war

Helps found the Afrikaner Party

Death of James Hertzog