Polity Union of South Africa (Dominion)

This article is about the specific polity Union of South Africa (Dominion) and therefore only includes events related to its territory and not to its possessions or colonies. If you are interested in the possession, this is the link to the article about the nation which includes all possessions as well as all the different incarnations of the nation.

If you are looking for the page with the statistics about this polity you can find it here: All Statistics

The Union of South Africa came into being on 31 May 1910 with the unification of the Cape Colony, the Natal Colony, the Transvaal Colony, and the Orange River Colony.

Establishment

  • May 1910: The Union of South Africa came into being on 31 May 1910 with the unification of the Cape Colony, the Natal Colony, the Transvaal, and the Orange River Colony.

Chronology

Interactive Chronologies with maps are available in the section Changes Navigation

1. Union of South Africa

The Union of South Africa came into being on 31 May 1910 with the unification of the Cape Colony, the Natal Colony, the Transvaal, and the Orange River Colony.

  • May 1910: The Union of South Africa came into being on 31 May 1910 with the unification of the Cape Colony, the Natal Colony, the Transvaal, and the Orange River Colony.

2. World War I

Was a global conflict between two coalitions, the Allies (primarily France, the United Kingdom, Russia, Italy, Japan, and the United States) and the Central Powers (led by Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire). It was mainly caused by the competition of the western countries over domain in Europe and in the rest of the world with their colonial empires. The war ended with the defeat of the Central Powers. The war also caused the Russian Revolution and the ensuing Russian Civil War.

2.1. World War I African Theatre

Was the African Theatre of World War I.

2.1.1. South West Africa campaign

Was the conquest and occupation of German South West Africa by forces from the Union of South Africa during World War I.

  • February 1915: Battle of Kakamas: To disrupt South African plans to invade South West Africa, the Germans launched a pre-emptive invasion of their own.
  • February 1915: The South Africans successfully defended the fords at Kakamas against the Germans. This prevented the Germans from crossing the river and gaining control of the territory.

3. Further events (Unrelated to Any War)

  • January 1923: Administration of Walvis Bay was transferred to South West Africa under the South West Africa Affairs Act of 1922.
  • December 1931: The full sovereignty of South Africa was confirmed with the Balfour Declaration 1926 and the Statute of Westminster 1931.

Disestablishment

  • December 1931: The full sovereignty of South Africa was confirmed with the Balfour Declaration 1926 and the Statute of Westminster 1931.

Selected Sources

  • Leacock S. The Union of South Africa. American Political Science Review. 1910;4(4):498-507. doi:10.2307/1944928