Transvaal proclaimed a republic with Paul Kruger as president (1880–1884)

The South African Republic was restored in December 1880 following a gathering at Paardekraal, leading to the First Boer War. Paul Kruger served as part of an executive triumvirate until 1883, when he was elected president. The London Convention of 1884 confirmed full independence, correcting the legacy claim that Kruger was the first president in 1880.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. British occupation fostered a national consciousness in the Transvaal. In December 1879, 6,000 burghers voted to pursue an independent republic. Kruger and Joubert requested restoration from Gladstone in 1880, but he refused. The conflict escalated into the First Boer War, culminating in the Pretoria Convention of 1881, which initially placed the republic under British suzerainty.

Establishment. On 13 December 1880, the Volksraad was summoned to Paardekraal. Kruger declared he was called by the people. The war formally broke out on 20 December 1880. The Pretoria Convention was signed in August 1881, superseded by the London Convention in 1884, which relinquished British suzerainty and recognized the South African Republic as an independent state.

Presidency. Kruger served as a member of an executive triumvirate until 1883. In July 1882, the volksraad decided to elect a new president. Kruger defeated Joubert in the election and was inaugurated as president on 9 May 1883. He headed a deputation that brokered the London Convention in 1884, securing full independence.

People involved

Sources

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