The Union of South Africa and Afrikaner Dominance (1910)

In this episode of Mr. Hutchings History, we delve into the formation of the Union of South Africa in 1910, a pivotal moment in South African history. This political realignment marked the beginning of entrenched racial segregation, setting the stage for apartheid. We examine the constitution that excluded the Black majority from power, the rise of Afrikaner nationalism, and key laws like the Mines and Works Act (1911) and the Natives Land Act (1913) that institutionalized white supremacy. We also explore the early resistance movements, such as the founding of the South African Native National Congress (later the ANC), and how these efforts clashed with the growing dominance of Afrikaner nationalism. The Union’s legacy of exclusion and economic disparity provides essential context for understanding the emergence of apartheid in 1948. #IBHistory #SouthAfrica #Apartheid #UnionOfSouthAfrica #AfrikanerNationalism #NativesLandAct #RacialSegregation #ANC #CivilRights #ColonialHistory #EconomicInequality #MinesAndWorksAct #EarlyApartheidPolicies Works Cited Dubow, Saul. Apartheid, 1948-1994. Oxford UP, 2014. Plaatje, Sol T. Native Life in South Africa. P. S. King, 1916. Thompson, Leonard. A History of South Africa. Yale UP, 2001.