SA ENTRY INTO WW2 ON THE SIDE OF THE ALLIES .....AFRIKANER NATIONALISM
played a significant role in South Africa's entry into World War II on the side of the Allies.
During the interwar period, South Africa became increasingly involved in the global political landscape. Afrikaner nationalists, who dominated the country's politics at the time, saw Hitler's rise to power in Germany as a threat to their own ideals of racial purity and white supremacy. They also feared that Germany's expansionist policies would threaten South Africa's interests in Africa.
In September 1939, South Africa declared war on Germany, initially as a response to British pressure. However, the decision was also shaped by nationalist sentiment and the desire to defend the country's perceived interests. The government mobilized the military and introduced various measures to support the war effort, including conscription and rationing. These actions were popular among Afrikaner nationalists, who saw them as evidence of the government's commitment to protecting white South Africans.
South African military forces participated in various campaigns across the African continent and also fought in Italy. The country's contribution to the war effort was significant, with some 334,000 South Africans serving in the military or in support roles. However, the war also exposed the deep racial divides in South African society, with black and colored South Africans excluded from military service and facing exploitation in wartime industries.
After the war, South Africa's role in the global community continued to shape its domestic politics. The country's participation in the international community, including its membership in the United Nations, was a key factor in the dismantling of apartheid in the 1990s.