Cabinet Name: | First Smuts Cabinet |
Cabinet Number: | 3rd |
Jurisdiction: | the Union of South Africa (since the 1909 South Africa Act) |
Flag: | Red Ensign of South Africa (1912–1951).svg |
Flag Border: | true |
Incumbent: | 1920–1921 |
State Head Title: | Monarch |
State Head: | King George V |
Governor General Title: | Governor-General |
Government Head Title: | Prime Minister |
Government Head: | Jan Smuts |
Political Party: | South African Party |
Legislature Status: | Majority |
Opposition Party: | National Party |
Opposition Leader: | Barry Hertzog |
Election: | 1920 election |
Previous: | Botha II |
Successor: | Smuts II |
Gen. Jan Smuts became Prime Minister, after Louis Botha's death in September 1919. In the general election of 1920, with 134 seats elected to the lower house, the South African Party led by Jan Smuts was ahead by three seats against the National Party (44 seats). Both parties then found themselves forced to form alliances with third parties (unionists and labour) to form the new government. The South African Party was quick to form an alliance with the pro-British Unionist Party (25 seats) and Jan Smuts was reappointed prime minister. Shortly after in the same year, the Unionists agreed to join the South African Party and early general elections were held in February 1921.