民主联盟的前身是進步黨(英语:Progressive Party (SouthAfrica))、進步改革黨(英语:Progressive Reform Party (SouthAfrica))、進步聯邦黨(英语:Progressive Federal Party),由著名反對种族隔离的活动家海伦·苏斯曼、
Loveland. By Due Process of Law: Racial Discrimination and the Right to Vote in SouthAfrica 1855-1960. Bloomsbury Publishing. 1 June 1999: 263– [2018-11-30]