First cabinet of Jan Smuts

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.

Dateformed20 March 1920 (1920-03-20)

Datedissolved8 February 1921 (1921-02-08)
(10 months and 19 days)

Monarch

King George V

Governor-General

• Viscount Buxton (until 1920)
• Prince Arthur

Quick facts Date formed, Date dissolved ...

First Smuts Cabinet
3rd Cabinet of the Union of South Africa (since the 1909 South Africa Act)
1920–1921
Jan Smuts (c. 1934)
Date formed	20 March 1920 (1920-03-20)
Date dissolved	8 February 1921 (1921-02-08) (10 months and 19 days)
People and organisations
Monarch	King George V
Governor-General	Viscount Buxton (until 1920) Prince Arthur
Prime Minister	Jan Smuts
Member parties	South African Party
Status in legislature	Majority
Opposition parties	National Party
Opposition leaders	Barry Hertzog
History
Election	1920 election
Predecessor	Botha II
Successor	Smuts II

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