Fusion, noun

Origin:
EnglishShow more Special sense of general English.
historical
The political coalition formed by J.C. Smuts of the South African Party and J.H. Hofmeyr of the National Party, 1933–39; samesmelting. Also attributive, especially in the phrases Fusion cabinet, Fusion ministry, etc., of or pertaining to this coalition government.
Note:
This coalition preceded the formation of the United Party (see UP).
1934 J.C. Smuts Plans for Better World (1942) 87At this moment we are trying to lay the enduring basis of peace in our national life...In our politics and our racial relations we are at present concluding the grand pact of union and of fusion.
1968 E.A. Walker Hist. of Sn Afr. 636Negotiations between Malan and Hertzog in which the former tried to entrench the right to conduct republican propaganda within the fold of the projected Fusion Party.
1968 E.A. Walker Hist. of Sn Afr. 637At the close of this cheering Session the terms of Fusion were published.
1977 T.R.H. Davenport S. Afr.: Mod. Hist. 218The Fusion Government was born of a common desire to settle the constitutional relationships with the Empire and to pull South Africa out of economic crisis...Heaton Nicholls..claimed that its (sc. the Joint Select Committee’s) deliberations were inhibited by Fusion.
1983 C. Saunders Hist. Dict.Fusion (1934), The merger of the National Party under Hertzog and the South African Party under Smuts to form the United Party. Fusion, flowing from coalition (1933), was born of a desire to pull the country out of its economic plight..and to forge a new unity after the constitutional relationship with Britain had been adjusted.
1989 Reader’s Digest Illust. Hist. of S. Afr. 344The 20-year political enmity of Jan Smuts..and Barry Hertzog..was buried with Fusion — a coalition of the National and South African parties in response to the crisis sparked by the Great Depression.
1989 Reader’s Digest Illust. Hist. of S. Afr. 345At stake were the Fusion Government and five years of work by Smuts and Hertzog to bring about unity between English- and Afrikaans-speakers.
1989 Reader’s Digest Illust. Hist. of S. Afr. 347The blossoming wartime industries created employment opportunities for thousands of blacks. But the war was fought by South Africa at the price of Fusion.
The political coalition formed by J.C. Smuts of the South African Party and J.H. Hofmeyr of the National Party, 1933–39; samesmelting. Also attributive, especially in the phrases Fusion cabinet, Fusion ministry, etc., of or pertaining to this coalition government.
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19341989