Sub-Saharan Africa 1910: Union of South Africa

View full map and options for mobile…
Political map of Sub-Saharan Africa on 31 May 1910 (The Scramble for Africa: Union of South Africa), showing the following events: Adrar Campaign; French Equatorial Africa; Union of South Africa.
Middle
Niger(FWA terr.)

In the wake of the Second Boer War (1899-1902), the British encouraged a tighter union between the old British colonies of the Cape of Good Hope and Natal and the two former Boer republics of Transvaal and Orange River Colony. This vision was realized in 1910, when all four colonies united to form the Union of South Africa. A self-governing dominion, this new South Africa was run almost exclusively by its White minority - in particular the Boers/Afrikaners, who were more numerous than the English-speaking Whites.

About this map
Download map
(download without labels)

Main Events

Dec 1908–Sep 1909 Adrar Campaign ▲

In late 1908 a French expedition under the command of Colonel Henri Gouraud advanced from St Louis, Senegal, north into Mauritania to suppress the restive Emirate of Adrar. After capturing the key town of Atar in January, Gouraud was unable to compel the Adrar to meet him in open battle until he occupied the palm groves of the region and thereby threatened their food supply. Provoked, the Adrar launched a full-scale attack on the French in July, only to be defeated and chased north into the desert. in wikipedia

15 Jan 1910 French Equatorial Africa ▲

In 1910 the French colonies of Gabon, Middle Congo, and Ubangi-Shari-Chad were united to form the colonial federation of French Equatorial Africa, replacing the French Congo. Brazzaville, Middle Congo, was designated as the capital of the federation and Martial Henri Merlin was made Governor-General. From the start the federation was much more centralized than French West Africa, and for a brief period (1934–37) the federal structure would even be abolished altogether. in wikipedia

31 May 1910 Union of South Africa ▲

On 20 September 1909 the South Africa Act was passed by the British Parliament and given royal assent by King Edward VII of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. On 31 May of the following year, in accordance with the act, the Union of South Africa was formed from the British colonies of the Cape of Good Hope, Natal, Orange River Colony, and Transvaal. As a compromise over disagreements of the location of the capital, the administration was seated in Pretoria (Transvaal) while Parliament was held in Cape Town (Cape of Good Hope). The union was also bilingual, with both Dutch and English as official languages. A self-governing dominion, the new state was run almost exclusively by its White minority—in particular the Boers/Afrikaners, who were more numerous than the English-speaking Whites. in wikipedia

1910 1910s Adrar Africa African history Central African Republic Chad France French Equatorial Africa Gabon maps Mauritania May May 31 Orange Free State Republic of Congo South Africa Sub-Saharan Africa United Kingdom

Follow us

Join Omniatlas