South African Republic

South African Republic
Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek  (Dutch)
1852–1877 1881–1902 1914–1915
Flag Coat of arms
Anthem Transvaalse Volkslied
Location of the South African Republic, circa 1890.
Capital		Pretoria 25°43′S 28°14′E / 25.717°S 28.233°E / -25.717; 28.233
Languages		Dutch, Afrikaans
Religion		Dutch Reformed Church
Government		Republic
President
•	1857–1863	Marthinus Wessel Pretorius1
•	1883–1902	Paul Kruger
•	1900–1902	Schalk Willem Burger (acting)
History
•	Established	17 January 1852
•	British annexation	12 April 1877
•	First Boer War	20 December 1880
•	Pretoria Convention	3 August 1881
•	London Convention	27 February 1884
•	Second Boer War	11 October 1899
•	Treaty of Vereeniging	31 May 1902
Area
•	1870	191,789 km² (74,050 sq mi)
Population
•	1870 est.	120,000
Density		0.6 /km²  (1.6 /sq mi)
Currency		Suid-Afrikaanse pond (South African pound)
Preceded by Succeeded by Klein Vrystaat Nieuwe Republiek Transvaal Colony
Today part of		South Africa
1Also State President of the Orange Free State

The South African Republic (Dutch: Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek, ZAR), often referred to as the Transvaal and sometimes as the Republic of Transvaal, was an independent and internationally recognised country in Southern Africa from 1852 to 1902. The country defeated the British in what is often referred to as the First Boer War and remained independent until the end of the Second Boer War on 31 May 1902, when it was forced to surrender to the British. The territory of the ZAR became known after this war as the Transvaal Colony. After the outbreak of the First World War a small number of Boers staged the Maritz Rebellion, declared the reinstatement of the South African Republic and aligned themselves with the Central Powers in a failed gambit to regain independence.

Constitutionally the name of the country was Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek (South African Republic or ZAR). Many people also called the ZAR Transvaal, in reference to the area over (or trans) the Vaal River including the British press and the press in Europe. In fact the name "Transvaal" was later so often used that later the British objected to the use of the real name (The South African Republic). The British pointed out that the Convention of Pretoria of 3 August 1881 referred to the 'Transvaal Territory' and that the Transvaal and the South African Republic did not have the same boundaries. However, in the London Convention dated 27 February 1884, a subsequent treaty between Britain and the ZAR, Britain acquiesced and reverted to the use of the true name, "The South African Republic".

The name of the South African Republic was of such importance that on 1 September 1900 the British declared by special proclamation that the name of the South African Republic be changed from "South African Republic" to "The Transvaal" and that the entire territory shall henceforth and forever be known as "The Transvaal". This proclamation was issued during the Second Boer War and whilst the ZAR was still an independent country.

On 31 May 1902, the Treaty of Vereeniging was signed, with the South African Government, Orange Free State Government and the British Government which also converted the ZAR into the Transvaal Colony. On 20 May 1903 an Inter Colonial Council was established, to manage the colonies of the British Government. The name "Transvaal" was finally changed in 1994, when the ANC government broke up the Transvaal area and renamed the core to "Gauteng".