Alliance Jan Smuts and the Commonwealth
Smuts supports a Commonwealth alliance to fight World War II. Puts the case in Cabinet for South African neutrality, defeated by Smuts
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1939 in South Africa
Explore 37 historical events and records for South Africa in 1939.
Historical records for South Africa in 1939
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 37 of 37 unique records.
37Unique records
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29Named events on this page
9Named people on this page
3Places on this page
September
Commonwealth
Smuts supports a Commonwealth alliance to fight World War II
Neutrality
Puts the case in Cabinet for South African neutrality, defeated by Smuts
Neutrality
The cabinet is split, 7 vote for war & 6 against
Neutrality
On the day Britain declares war on Germany Hertzog supports neutrality
Alliance James Hertzog and neutrality supporters
Forwards a motion in the House Assembly to remain neutral but defeated by 13 votes
Neutrality
Forwards a motion in the House Assembly to remain neutral but defeated by 13 votes
Neutrality
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
Prime Minister of South Africa
Appointed Prime Minister of South Africa, 2nd term
Resignation of James Hertzog
Hertzog is forced to resign when his policy of neutrality in World War II is defeated
Resignation of James Hertzog
Hertzog is forced to resign when his policy of neutrality in World War II is defeated
Break in Diplomatic Relations with Germany
South Africa severs relations with Germany
Break in Diplomatic Relations with Germany
South Africa severs relations with Germany
Declaration of War
South Africa declares war
Imperial War Cabinet
Appointed Member of Imperial War Cabinet as the most senior South African in favour of war
Prime Minister Appointment
Becomes prime minister after Parliament rejects Hertzog's neutrality policy.
Pro-War Faction Prevails
Leads supporters committed to entering the war against Germany.
Smuts Government Formed
Forms a government committed to participation in the war.
South Africa Enters War
Forms a government committed to war against Germany.
United Party Leadership
Takes control of the United Party after Hertzog's resignation.
War Policy Implemented
Directs South Africa's entry into the Second World War.
Alliance James Hertzog and for Britain in World War II
The Fusion Government breaks up over Herzogs support for Britain in World War II
Other events (month unknown)
Bachelor of Arts Studies
Begins university studies toward a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Declaration of War
Opposes South Africas participation in the war
Deputy Prime Minister
Appointed Deputy Prime Minister
Fort Hare Enrollment
Enrolls at the University College of Fort Hare.
Minister of Education
Appointed Minister of Education
Minister of Finance
Appointed Minister of Finance
Minister of Native Affairs
Appointed Secretary for Native Affairs
Nationalist Party
Founds & leads the reunited Nationalist Party
Opposition to Allied War Effort
Vorster opposed South Africa's participation in the Second World War on the Allied side and associated with antiwar Afrikaner nationalism.
Party Leader
Jan Smuts succeeds Hertzog and led the party and the country throughout World War II and the immediate post-war years
Resignation of Daniel Francois Malan
Resigns in favour of Hertzog
Resignation of James Hertzog
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
Reunited National Party
Opposition to South African participation in World War II is used by the Purified National Party to stir up anti-British imperialist feelings amongst Afrikaners & reunification of the Purified Nationalists with the National Party. Formation of the Herenigde Nasionale Party (Reunited National Party), which went on to defeat Smuts United Party in 1948
Secretary of State for Agriculture
Appointed Minister for Agriculture & Forestry
United Party
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
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.