Smuts, Jan Christiaan << smuhts, yahn KRIHS tee ahn >> (1870-1950), was one of South Africa’s greatest statesmen and military leaders. He helped create the Union of South Africa in 1910 and served as prime minister from 1919 to 1924 and from 1939 to 1948. An Afrikaner of mainly Dutch ancestry, he fought against British forces in the Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902. But he later wanted South Africa to maintain close ties with the United Kingdom. Smuts played an important role in transforming the British Empire into the Commonwealth of Nations during the 1920’s and 1930’s. He also was a key international figure because of his military leadership in World War I (1914-1918) and World War II (1939-1945) and his role in peace efforts after those wars.
British South Africans and moderate Afrikaners were loyal to Smuts during his career. But many Afrikaners distrusted Smuts because of his pro-British views.
Smuts was born on May 24, 1870, near Riebeek-Wes in what is now Western Cape province. He studied law at Cambridge University in England. Smuts was recognized as a skillful military leader for the Boers (Afrikaners) during the Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902. But after the British defeated the Boers, he helped prepare the peace settlement.
Smuts worked to unify South Africa’s Afrikaner and British populations. In 1910, he helped merge four British colonies, including two former Boer republics, into the Union of South Africa. Smuts played a major role in drafting the Union’s constitution, and he served in various cabinet roles. In 1914, after South Africa entered World War I on the British side, Smuts crushed an Afrikaner rebellion. During the war, Smuts led successful invasions of German-held territories in Africa. In 1917, he became a member of the British War Cabinet in London. In 1919, he helped found the League of Nations.
Smuts became prime minister of South Africa in 1919 but was defeated in the 1924 election. In 1933, Smuts became deputy prime minister. In 1939, despite objections from Afrikaner nationalists, South Africa entered World War II against Germany, and Smuts became prime minister. In 1945, Smuts helped found the United Nations. He was defeated in the 1948 election. He died on Sept. 11, 1950.
