Who founded the National Party?

The National Party was founded by James Barry Munnik Hertzog in 1914.

The National Party, also known as the Nationalist Party, was established in South Africa by James Barry Munnik Hertzog, a prominent political figure, in 1914. Hertzog was a former Boer general who had served in the Second Boer War and later became a leading figure in South African politics. He was a staunch advocate for Afrikaner nationalism, a political ideology that sought to promote the interests of the Afrikaners, a South African ethnic group descended from predominantly Dutch settlers.

Hertzog founded the National Party in response to what he perceived as the marginalisation of the Afrikaners by the South African Party government led by Louis Botha and Jan Smuts. The National Party aimed to protect and promote the interests of the Afrikaners, particularly in relation to the English-speaking population, who Hertzog believed were dominating the political, economic and cultural life of South Africa.

The National Party's political platform was based on the principles of Afrikaner nationalism, republicanism and a policy of segregation which later evolved into apartheid. The party's policies were deeply divisive and led to significant social and political change in South Africa. The National Party came to power in 1948 and implemented the policy of apartheid, a system of institutionalised racial segregation and discrimination that lasted until the early 1990s.

Hertzog's leadership of the National Party marked a significant period in South African history. His policies shaped the country's political landscape for much of the 20th century and continue to influence South African politics and society today. Despite the controversial nature of his policies, Hertzog remains a significant figure in South African history, and his role in founding the National Party is a key part of his legacy.