François Christiaan Erasmus

François Christiaan Erasmus (1896 - 1967) was a lawyer and a politician of South Africa, member of the national Parti, mainly Minister for defense of 1948 with 1959 but also Minister for the stations (1949-1950), forests (1956-1958) and finally of the justice (1959-1961).

Private life

Public life

General secretary of the national Party in the Thirties and Forties, it is appointed of Moreesburg (free State of Orange) of 1933 with 1961.

After the victory of the national Party to the elections of 1948, Erasmus became the new Minister for defense in load of the Defense forces of the Union of South Africa (Union Defense Forces). He then undertook to purge the army of his elements anglophone or related to the old government of Jan Smuts in order to ensure a certain political and ethnic homogeneity afrikaner.

F.C. Erasmus also makes modernize the army and created a military academy close to Pretoria in Voortrekkerhoogte on the models of Sandhurst and West Point.

In 1949, it goes to the the United States to buy new equipment for the air force.

In 1950, it goes in France, with the the United Kingdom, the United States and the Portugal to develop the military cooperation between these country and South Africa.

In 1956, F.C. Erasmus reinforces the bonds of friendship of South Africa with the State of Israel by accommodating cordially the Israeli general Ygal Allon.

In 1959, it leaves its wallet of defense for that of justice.

In 1961, it withdraws political life.

F.C. Erasmus died in 1967.

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