- 1. The Union of South Africa was established on May 31, 1910, as a result of the unification of four previously separate colonies: the Cape Colony, Natal Colony, Transvaal Colony, and the Orange River Colony. This momentous occasion marked a significant turning point in the history of South Africa, as it brought together diverse regions under a single governmental structure, providing a foundation for modern governance in the country. The unification aimed to create a more cohesive political landscape, and to address the complexities of the various ethnic, cultural, and economic groups within these territories, which had been deeply affected by British colonial rule and the aftermath of the Anglo-Boer War. The formation of the Union was heavily influenced by the desire of English and Afrikaans speakers to establish a sense of national identity, as well as to create a stronger political entity that could effectively manage the interests of its inhabitants. The new government adopted a parliamentary system modeled after the British system, with a Prime Minister at the helm, and it laid the groundwork for later legislative developments. However, the Union's establishment also perpetuated racial divisions and established policies of exclusion that would later inform apartheid, highlighting the complexities and contradictions in South African political history. As the country embarked on this new chapter, it faced the dual challenge of fostering national unity while grappling with the legacy of colonialism and the socio-economic disparities that accompanied it.
When was the Union of South Africa established?
A) 1879
B) 1900
C) 1925
D) 1910
- 2. Which two Boer republics were included in the Union of South Africa?
A) Botswana and Swaziland
B) Ciskei and Bophuthatswana
C) Transvaal and Orange Free State
D) Natal and Cape Colony
- 3. Who was the first Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa?
A) Jan Smuts
B) Cecil Rhodes
C) Louis Botha
D) J.B.M. Hertzog
- 4. Which group faced discrimination under the Union of South Africa's policies?
A) British Settlers
B) Indian Immigrants
C) Boer Farmers
D) Black Africans
- 5. What was the capital city of the Union of South Africa?
A) Durban
B) Kimberley
C) Pretoria
D) Bloemfontein
- 6. Which document served as the constitution of the Union of South Africa?
A) South Africa Act 1909
B) Freedom Charter
C) Rivonia Trial Verdict
D) Groot Trek Manifesto
- 7. Which ethnic group was mainly responsible for the government policy of apartheid in the Union of South Africa?
A) Zulus
B) Afrikaners
C) British Settlers
D) Xhosas
- 8. Which organization was founded in response to the discriminatory laws in the Union of South Africa?
A) Pan Africanist Congress
B) African National Congress
C) Inkatha Freedom Party
D) South African Party
- 9. What major industry played a role in the economic development of the Union of South Africa?
A) Mining
B) Tourism
C) Agriculture
D) Manufacturing
- 10. What was the racial segregation policy called in the Union of South Africa?
A) Apartheid
B) Multiculturalism
C) Integration
D) Assimilation
- 11. Which political party was formed by white South Africans who opposed the policies of the Union of South Africa?
A) Congress of the People
B) Democratic Alliance
C) National Party
D) United Party
- 12. Which country had a significant influence on the development of the Union of South Africa before its independence?
A) Spain
B) France
C) United Kingdom
D) Germany
- 13. Which Boer republic was reluctant to join the Union of South Africa and only did so after talks?
A) Transkei
B) Ciskei
C) Orange Free State
D) Venda
- 14. What was the capital of the Orange Free State before it joined the Union of South Africa?
A) Pretoria
B) Durban
C) Johannesburg
D) Bloemfontein
- 15. Which of the following acts brought about the establishment of the Union of South Africa?
A) Freedom Charter
B) Groot Trek Manifesto
C) Rivonia Trial Verdict
D) South Africa Act
- 16. When did the Union of South Africa become a republic?
A) 1961
B) 1952
C) 1985
D) 1976
- 17. Which British monarch was on the South African pound before the Union became a republic?
A) Queen Elizabeth II
B) Queen Victoria
C) King Edward VIII
D) King George VI
- 18. In which war did the Union of South Africa participate as part of the British Empire?
A) Korean War
B) Vietnam War
C) Falklands War
D) World War I
- 19. What was the official language of the Union of South Africa established?
A) English
B) Afrikaans
C) Xhosa
D) Zulu
- 20. Which of the following was not a member of the Union of South Africa?
A) Transvaal
B) Cape Colony
C) Orange Free State
D) Rhodesia
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