South Africa under the Nationalist Party

Abstract

party to power in South Africa varied from consternation to complacency. To some observers the rejection of Field Marshal Smuts' United party, which had brought South Africa through World War II, and had received a substantial majority in the election of 1943, was a major tragedy. That one nation of the Commonwealth should espouse political policies which would inevitably widen the breach between itself and the Dominion of India appeared to be more than a portent that the Commonwealth was breaking up. More cautious observers, noting that Dr. Malan had received a minority vote, and held only a small majority in the House of Assembly, suggested that the Nationalist government would go slow. Six months have elapsed since the May election, and it is now possible to assess the government's record, and to find where South Africa stands on internal and external affairs.