Transvaal, Republic of the
Years: 1852 - 1859
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In 1852 a coalition of Tswana chiefdoms led by Sechele I resists Afrikaner incursions during the Battle of Dimawe, and after about eight years of intermittent tensions and hostilities, eventually come to a peace agreement in Potchefstroom in 1860.
From this point on, the modern-day border between South Africa and Botswana is agreed on, and the Afrikaners and Batswana trade and work together 'peacefully'.
The first Boer state established by the Voortrekkers becomes the independent republic of the Transvaal on January 17, 1852, when the United Kingdom signs the Sand River Convention treaty with five thousand or so of the Boer families (about forty thousand white people), recognizing their independence in the region to the north of the Vaal River, or the Transvaal.
In return, the Boers promise that slavery will be outlawed in the Transvaal and that they will not interfere in the Orange River Sovereignty's affairs.
Marthinus Wessel Pretorius succeeds his father Andries in 1853 as the Transvaal’s commandant general.
Martinus Pretorius founds Pretoria in 1855, naming the city after his father.
Pretorius becomes the first president of the South African Republic (the Transvaal) in 1857, and promulgates a constitution assuring central government.
George Grey has dealt firmly with the natives in South Africa, but has endeavored to protect them from the white colonists by setting apart tracts of land for their exclusive use.
He more than once has acted as arbitrator between the government of the Orange Free State and the natives, and had eventually come to the conclusion that a federated South Africa would be a good thing for everyone.
The Orange Free State would have been willing to join the federation, and it is probable that the Transvaal would also have agreed.
However, Grey is fifty years before his time and the colonial office will not agree to his proposals.
In spite of their instructions, Grey continues to advocate union, and, in connection with other matters, such as the attempt to settle soldiers in South Africa after the Crimean War, he several times disregards his instructions.
When all the circumstances are considered, it is not surprising that he is recalled in 1859.
Martinus Pretorius, the President of Transvaal, is elected president of the Orange Free State in 1859, but will fail in his effort to unite the two Boer republics.
Pretorius is told by the Transvaal volksraad on September 10, 1860, to choose between his two posts—to the surprise of both supporters and detractors he resigns as President of the Transvaal and continues in the Free State.
After Stephanus Schoeman unsuccessfully attempts to forcibly supplant Grobler as Acting President, Kruger persuades him to submit to a volksraad hearing, where Schoeman is censured and relieved of his post.
Willem Cornelis Janse van Rensburg is appointed Acting President while a new election is organized for October 1862.
Having returned home, Kruger is surprised to receive a message urgently requesting his presence in the capital, the volksraad having recommended him as a suitable candidate; he replies that he is pleased to be summoned but his membership in the Dopper Church means he cannot enter politics.
Van Rensburg promptly has legislation passed to give equal political rights to members of all Reformed denominations.
Schoeman musters a commando at Potchefstroom, but is routed by Kruger on the night of October 9, 1862.
Schoeman is found guilty of rebellion against the state and banished.