Transvaal Civil War of 1862-64
1862 CE to 1864 CE
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Showing 7 events out of 7 total
Commandant-General Paul Kruger and others in the Transvaal government dislike Pretorius's unconstitutional dual presidency, and worry that Britain might declare the Sand River and Orange River Conventions void if the republics join.
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.
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.
Civil war breaks out in Transvaal following Stephanus Schoeman’s unconstitutional ousting of the acting President of the Executive Council of the South African Republic.
Schoeman musters a commando at Potchefstroom, but is routed by Kruger on the night of October 9, 1862.
Schoeman musters a commando at Potchefstroom, but is routed by Kruger on the night of October 9, 1862.
Paul Kruger and Marthinus Pretorius, after Stephanus Schoeman returns with a larger force, hold negotiations in which it is agreed to hold a special court on the disturbances in January 1863, and soon thereafter fresh elections for President and Commandant-General.
Schoeman is found guilty of rebellion against the state and banished.
Schoeman is found guilty of rebellion against the state and banished.
The election results are announced in May—Willem van Rensburg becomes President, with Kruger as Commandant-General.
Both express disappointment at the low turnout and resolve to hold another set of elections.
Both express disappointment at the low turnout and resolve to hold another set of elections.
Van Rensburg's opponent this time is Pretorius, who has resigned his office in the Orange Free State and returned to the Transvaal.
Turnout is higher and on October 12 the volksraad announces another Van Rensburg victory.
Kruger is returned as Commandant-General with a large majority.
Turnout is higher and on October 12 the volksraad announces another Van Rensburg victory.
Kruger is returned as Commandant-General with a large majority.
The Transvaal Civil War ends with Paul Kruger's victory over Jan Viljoen's commando, raised in support of Marthinus Pretorius and Stephanus Schoeman, at the Crocodile River on January 5, 1864.
Elections are held yet again in the Transvaal, and this time Pretorius defeats Willem van Rensburg.
Kruger is re-elected as Commandant-General with over two-thirds of the vote.
Kruger is re-elected as Commandant-General with over two-thirds of the vote.