History of South Africa (1910–1948) facts for kids

This article tells the story of South Africa from 1910 to 1948. It covers how the country joined two big world wars and the important changes that happened afterwards.

South Africa in World War I (1914-1918)

During the First World War, Smuts (right) and Botha were key members of the British Imperial War Cabinet.

When World War I began, the new country of South Africa was closely connected to the British Empire. This meant that when Great Britain and its friends (the Allies) went to war against the German Empire, South Africa automatically joined them.

Interestingly, Prime Minister Louis Botha and Defence Minister Jan Smuts had both been generals fighting against the British in the Second Boer War. But now, they became important and respected members of the British Imperial War Cabinet, which helped lead the war effort.

Even though some people in South Africa, especially some Boers, didn't want to fight alongside the British, the government led by Afrikaners decided to join the Allies. They even agreed to let British soldiers leave South Africa to fight in Europe. South Africa also planned to invade German South-West Africa.

However, some parts of the South African army refused to fight the Germans. These groups, along with others who opposed the government, started a rebellion. The government declared a special law on 14 October 1914. Forces loyal to the government, led by General Louis Botha and Jan Smuts, quickly stopped this rebellion, known as the Maritz Rebellion. The leaders of the rebellion received light punishments, like short prison terms and fines.

Fighting Germany in World War I

The South African Union Defence Force fought in several places:

• They sent their army to German South-West Africa (which is now Namibia). South African soldiers pushed out the German forces and took control of this former German colony.
• General Jan Smuts led a military group to German East Africa (now part of Tanzania). Their goal was to fight German forces there and try to capture the clever German General Paul Erich von Lettow-Vorbeck. He managed to avoid capture until after the war ended.
• The 1st South African Brigade went to France to fight on the Western Front. One of the toughest battles for South African forces there was the Battle of Delville Wood in 1916.
• South Africans also fought with the Cape Corps in Palestine, as part of the British forces.

South Africa's War Effort and Losses

South Africa had about 6 million people at the time. Between 1914 and 1918, over 250,000 South Africans from all racial groups volunteered to serve their country. Many more joined the British Army directly. For example, over 3,000 joined the British Royal Flying Corps (early air force) and more than 100 volunteered for the Royal Navy. It's thought that about half of all white men of military age served in the war.

More than 146,000 white, 83,000 black African, and 2,500 Coloured and Asian soldiers served in places like German South-West Africa, East Africa, the Middle East, or on the Western Front in Europe.

Sadly, about 19,000 South Africans were injured or killed. Over 7,000 died, and nearly 12,000 were wounded. Eight South Africans received the Victoria Cross, which is the highest military award in the British Empire, for their bravery. The Battle of Delville Wood and the sinking of the SS Mendi were the two events where South Africa lost the most lives.

South Africa's help to the British Empire was very important. They helped take over two German colonies in Africa. Soldiers from all racial groups helped the Allies not just in Europe and Africa, but also in the Middle East against the Ottoman Empire.

South Africa's ports and harbours were also very important. They provided places for ships to rest and refuel, helping the British Navy keep important sea routes open to places like India and the Far East.

Economically, South Africa produced two-thirds of all the gold in the British Empire. At the start of the war, British officials worked with South Africa to stop gold from being sent to Germany. They made sure mine owners sold gold only to the British Treasury at set prices. This helped Britain buy weapons and food from countries like the United States.

South Africa in World War II (1939-1945)

Joining the Fight Against the Axis

On 4 September 1939, the ruling United Party decided not to stay neutral in World War II. Because of this, Prime Minister Hertzog resigned, and Jan Smuts took his place. As the new Prime Minister, Smuts officially declared that South Africa was at war with Germany and its allies, the Axis powers.

Smuts quickly started to strengthen South Africa's defences against any possible German sea invasion. This was because South Africa's location, controlling the long sea route around the Cape of Good Hope, was very important globally.

Smuts also took strong action against the pro-German South African Ossewabrandwag movement. This group was caught doing acts of sabotage. Their leaders were put in prison for the whole war. One of them, John Vorster, later became a Prime Minister of South Africa.

Prime Minister and Field Marshal Smuts

Prime Minister Jan Smuts was a very important non-British general. Britain's wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill often asked for his advice. Smuts was invited to the Imperial War Cabinet in 1939 because he strongly supported joining the war.

On 28 May 1941, Smuts was made a Field Marshal of the British Army. He was the first South African to reach this high rank. However, Smuts' close ties to the British, the King, and Churchill made him very unpopular with many conservative Afrikaners. This eventually led to his political downfall. Most English-speaking whites and some liberal Afrikaners in South Africa remained loyal to him.

South Africa's War Contributions and Losses

South Africa and its military forces helped in many parts of the war. South Africa's contribution mainly involved sending soldiers, people, and supplies for the North African campaign (the Desert War) and the Italian Campaign. They also helped Allied ships that stopped at South Africa's important ports, which are located where the Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean meet. Many volunteers also flew for the Royal Air Force.

Here are some of South Africa's contributions:

• The South African Army and Air Force helped defeat the Italian army of the Fascist Benito Mussolini. This army had invaded Abyssinia (now Ethiopia) in 1935. During the 1941 East African Campaign, South African forces played a big part in this early Allied victory.
• Another important victory South Africans helped with was freeing Madagascar from the control of the Vichy French. The Vichy French were allies of the Nazis. British troops, helped by South African soldiers, attacked from South Africa and took control of the important island in 1942. This stopped the Japanese from taking it.
• The South African 1st Infantry Division fought in several battles in North Africa in 1941 and 1942, including the famous Battle of El Alamein. After this, they returned to South Africa.
• The South African 2nd Infantry Division also fought in North Africa in 1942. However, on 21 June 1942, two full brigades of this division and most of their support units were captured when Tobruk fell.
• The South African 3rd Infantry Division did not fight in active battles. Instead, they organized and trained South Africa's home defence forces, did guard duties, and provided replacement soldiers for the 1st and 2nd Infantry Divisions. However, one of its brigades, the 7 SA Motorised Brigade, did take part in the invasion of Madagascar in 1942.
• The South African 6th Armoured Division fought in many battles in Italy from 1944 to 1945.
• South Africa also helped in the war against Japan by providing people and manning ships in naval battles.

About 334,000 men volunteered for the South African Armed Forces during the war. This included about 211,000 whites, 77,000 blacks, and 46,000 "coloureds" and Asians. Sadly, nearly 9,000 of them were killed in action.

South Africa After 1945

After the Allies won World War II, South Africa's reputation and national honour grew. The country had fought hard for the Western Allies. South Africa's standing in the world was improving, at a time when many countries were not yet fighting against colonialism.

In May 1945, Prime Minister Smuts represented South Africa in San Francisco. There, he helped write the United Nations Charter, which created the United Nations. Just like he did in 1919 for the League of Nations, Smuts urged the delegates to create a strong international group to keep the peace. He wanted the United Nations to be powerful, unlike the League of Nations. Smuts also signed the Paris Peace Treaty, which officially ended the war in Europe. This made him the only person to sign both the treaty ending World War I and the one ending World War II.

However, there were growing political problems inside South Africa. Many Afrikaners felt unhappy and were still struggling financially. This led to Smuts losing the 1948 elections to the National Party. In these elections, only white and coloured people could vote.

This election result began South Africa's journey towards being isolated from the rest of the world. The world would soon no longer accept any form of political unfairness or separation based only on race.