Jan Christian Smuts1905
Negotiates a constitution with Campbell-Bannerman
South Africa · Government / Government of South Africa. Chronological records rendered directly from the World History Database.
Negotiates a constitution with Campbell-Bannerman
Favors unitary rather than federal Government for a future unified South Africa
The constitutional convention represents 4 colonies, natives of South Africa excluded. Submits his scheme for a South African Union to the National Convention. Smuts calls for a constitutional convention. 1st day of the convention which determines the Government & constitition of South Africa
The Union of South Africa is born, the Afrikaners hold the key to political power, they forme the largest part of the electorate. Smuts & Botha take the constitution to London, where it is passed by Parliament, & signed into law by Edward VII
South Africa becomes a self-governing Dominion of the British Empire. Proclamation of the Union of South Africa
South Africas 1st general election
The Bantu Land Act creates a division between the Bantu & Whites, drafted by Hertzog
Questions the Union of South Africa as a Dominion at the Imperial Conference
The Balfour Declaration of 1926 becomes law. Britain renounces legislation over the Dominions
The denial of poltical rights by race or color becomes legitimate. Sets up the Native Representitive Council
Forms the 1st all Afrikaner Government, with a majority of 5
The Statute of Westminster abolishes the 2/3 majority for constitutional change. The Status of the Union Act & Statute of Westminster abolish 2/3 maj for const change. The Status of the Union Act abolishes the 2/3 majority for constitutional change. The Status of the Union Act abolishes 2/3 majority vote for constitutional change. The Status of the Union Act abolishes 2/3 majority needed for constitutional change
Separate Representation of Voters Act, apartheid legislation
The Supreme Court judges Apartheid as unconstitutional. Parliament is transormed into a High Court & validates the Coloured Voters Bill
The High Court of Parliament Courts rule apartheid is unconstitutional. Despite the creation of the High Court of Courts rule apartheid is unconstitutional. Despite the creation of the High Court Courts rule apartheid is unconstitutional
Freedom Charter signed in South-Africa
The supremacy of Parliament is confirmed
During a vote of confidence Verwoerd announces a referendum on the republic
90.5% of whites vote, 850,458 in favour of a republic & 775,878 against
Legislation is prepared to establish the Republic of South Africa
The Republic of South Africa comes into existence
Becomes the 1st South African Head of State which previously was the British monarch
South Africa becomes a dictatorial police state under the General Law Amendment Act
South Africa convenes the Turnhalle Conference to draft a South West Africa constitution
South Africa opens the Turnhalle Conference to draft a constitution for South West Africa
The United Nations & SWAPO reject the results of white acceptance of the constitutional referendum. A referendum is held on the Turnhalle Conference constitution for South West Africa
Separate Asian, coloured & white assemblies are created
Wins an election to offer representation for all elements of the population
Announces proposals for a new constitution that will provide black suffrage. Announces a new constitution that will provide suffrage for black people
Delegations from 19 political groups discuss drafting the new constitution
19 political groups from all races create the Convention for a Democratic South Africa
Mandela & de Klerk agree to a Government of national unity after elections. De Klerk abandons the principle of power sharing & majority rule until 1999. An interim majority rule constitution is adopted
The Interim constitution is completed
The homelands are reincorparated into the republic
The new constitution replaces the interim constitution
This factsheet is generated from stored World History Database records matching the country, broad category, detailed category and exact Event value shown above. Duplicate display records are collapsed; database wording is otherwise preserved. Source provenance varies by record, so formal academic citation should be checked against the relevant primary source, archive or specialist historical reference.