Anti-Apartheid Movement Overview

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Questions and Answers

What legislation did the South African government pass to enforce black residential areas under Prime Minister Jan Smuts?

The Native Urban Areas Act.

Describe the economic contradictions of the apartheid system regarding the employment of non-whites.

Over half of the non-white population worked in white-owned industries, making complete separation impractical without collapsing the economy.

What was the purpose of the Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act of 1949?

To prohibit marriage and sexual relations between whites and non-whites to maintain the 'purity' of the white race.

How did the apartheid government regulate movement for black Africans?

Through strict pass laws requiring permits for blacks to travel to white areas, restricting their movements. Signup and view all the answers

In what ways were the educational opportunities for black children inferior under apartheid?

Black children attended separate schools that provided a much lower quality of education compared to white schools. Signup and view all the answers

What societal aspects were segregated under the apartheid regime?

Bus, trains, cafes, toilets, hospitals, beaches, schools, and churches were all racially segregated. Signup and view all the answers

What were the consequences for black communities if they were deemed too close to white areas?

They were uprooted and relocated to maintain separation. Signup and view all the answers

How did the apartheid system impact the structure of white households?

Virtually every white household employed at least two African servants. Signup and view all the answers

What were the living conditions like for black workers in the gold-mining industry during apartheid?

Black workers lived in single-sex compounds with as many as 90 men sharing a dormitory. Signup and view all the answers

What law enacted in 1911 impacted black workers' rights significantly?

The 1911 law forbade black workers from striking and barred them from holding skilled jobs. Signup and view all the answers

What prompted the introduction of the apartheid policy in 1948?

The independence of India and Pakistan in 1947 alarmed white South Africans and they sought to preserve their racial supremacy. Signup and view all the answers

Which political party led the implementation of apartheid policies under Prime Minister Malan?

The Afrikaner Nationalist Party led by Dr. Malan. Signup and view all the answers

What influence did the Dutch Reformed Church have on apartheid ideology?

The Dutch Reformed Church supported apartheid by quoting biblical passages that justified white supremacy. Signup and view all the answers

What was the mission of the secret organization Broederbond during apartheid?

The Broederbond aimed to protect and preserve Afrikaner power. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Nationalists' justification for continuing apartheid after winning the 1948 elections?

They argued it was to rescue whites from the 'black menace' and preserve racial purity. Signup and view all the answers

Name one prime minister who further developed apartheid after Malan.

Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd developed apartheid further after Malan. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main assertion of the Freedom Charter regarding South Africa's ownership?

South Africa belongs to all who live in it, both black and white. Signup and view all the answers

What were the key demands outlined in the Freedom Charter?

The key demands included equality before the law, freedom of assembly and speech, the right to vote, and equal pay for equal work. Signup and view all the answers

How did the South African government respond to the Freedom Charter?

The government regarded the Freedom Charter as a treasonable document and arrested 156 members of the Congress Alliance. Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the treason trial that followed the arrests of Congress Alliance members?

The trial lasted from 1956 to 1961, but the government failed to prove treason, leading to the acquittal of all defendants. Signup and view all the answers

What was the objective of the 1957 bus boycott organized by the ANC?

The objective was to protest a fare increase by walking to work, compelling the authorities to reduce the fares. Signup and view all the answers

What tragic event occurred during the protest against pass laws in Sharpeville in 1960?

Police opened fire on demonstrators, killing 67 Africans and wounding many more. Signup and view all the answers

What was the immediate consequence for the ANC following the Sharpeville Massacre?

The ANC was banned as a direct result of the massacre and the ensuing protests. Signup and view all the answers

How did the Freedom Charter address the economic rights of workers?

It demanded a 40-hour working week, a minimum wage, and unemployment benefits. Signup and view all the answers

What were the main features of Apartheid as implemented in South Africa?

The main features of Apartheid included racial segregation, disenfranchisement of non-whites, and the establishment of separate development policies for different racial groups. Signup and view all the answers

How did Dr. Nelson Mandela contribute to the opposition against Apartheid?

Dr. Nelson Mandela played a critical role by leading protests, organizing the African National Congress (ANC) and becoming the symbol of resistance against Apartheid, ultimately leading to his election as South Africa's first black president. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the significance of the Great Trek in South African history.

The Great Trek was significant as it represented the Boer farmers' resistance against British rule, leading to the establishment of independent Boer republics and contributing to the cultural divide in South Africa. Signup and view all the answers

What role did the British Empire play in the formation of the Union of South Africa?

The British Empire played a pivotal role by defeating the Boer republics in the Boer War, which led to the unification of British colonies and territories into the Union of South Africa in 1910. Signup and view all the answers

What was the cultural clash between the English and Afrikaners in South Africa?

The cultural clash arose from the English's dominance in politics, trade, and finance, against the largely agricultural and uneducated Afrikaner population, leading to tensions over power and identity. Signup and view all the answers

Discuss the consequences of the British decision to make all slaves free in the British Empire in 1838.

The decision to free all slaves caused unrest among Afrikaner farmers who felt their economic livelihoods were threatened, resulting in the Great Trek and heightened resistance against British authority. Signup and view all the answers

How did the Boer War (1899-1902) affect the relationship between the British and Afrikaners?

The Boer War deepened animosities between the British and Afrikaners, leading to lasting divisions and suspicions that influenced future conflicts and the development of Apartheid policies. Signup and view all the answers

What led to the establishment of separate development policies during Apartheid?

Separate development policies were established to maintain racial segregation and control over black South Africans, enshrining systemic inequality in all aspects of life. Signup and view all the answers

What was the main focus of the Nelson Mandela Foundation established in 1999?

Advocating for peace, reconciliation, and social justice. Signup and view all the answers

How did Mandela perceive the connection between racial discrimination and imperialism?

He linked racial discrimination to imperialism, viewing them as interconnected issues. Signup and view all the answers

What were the key components of the Gandhian method of resistance that Mandela endorsed?

Civil disobedience, strikes, protest marches, boycotts, and various demonstrations. Signup and view all the answers

What did Harold Macmillan emphasize regarding African nationalism in 1960?

He warned that 'the wind of change is blowing through the continent' and urged policy adaptation. Signup and view all the answers

What was the global reaction to the Sharpeville massacre?

The world was horrified, leading to intensified criticism of South Africa's apartheid regime. Signup and view all the answers

What consequence did Prime Minister Verwoerd's decision have on South Africa's status in the Commonwealth?

South Africa ceased to be a member of the Commonwealth after withdrawing its application. Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant outcome of the intense criticism during the 1961 Commonwealth Conference?

Many believed South Africa would be expelled from the Commonwealth due to its apartheid policies. Signup and view all the answers

How did Mandela's views evolve regarding the unity of people in the struggle against apartheid?

He believed that cohesion of people from various backgrounds was essential for overcoming apartheid. Signup and view all the answers

What shift in attitude was observed among white South Africans regarding black political exclusion by the late 1980s?

They became resigned to the idea of black majority rule in the future. Signup and view all the answers

What significant action did the Commonwealth take against South Africa in 1986?

They imposed a strong package of sanctions including banning loans and sales of certain goods. Signup and view all the answers

How did British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's stance on sanctions differ from that of the Commonwealth?

She committed only to a voluntary ban on investment, arguing that severe sanctions would harm black workers. Signup and view all the answers

What major legislative action did the United States Congress take regarding South Africa in 1986?

They voted to stop American loans and cut imports from South Africa, overcoming President Reagan's veto. Signup and view all the answers

What was F.W. de Klerk's initial approach to the issue of apartheid upon his presidency in 1989?

He was cautious but privately decided that apartheid had to end completely. Signup and view all the answers

What were the challenges F.W. de Klerk faced in transitioning away from apartheid?

He needed to achieve this without further violence and the risk of civil war. Signup and view all the answers

Why did the Commonwealth nations, except Britain, feel bitter towards Thatcher's policies?

They felt she compromised on basic principles for economic reasons, undermining collective efforts against apartheid. Signup and view all the answers

What was the international context regarding sanctions in relation to South Africa during the late 1980s?

International pressure was increasing, leading to more unified sanctions against apartheid. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Anti-Apartheid Movement Background

South Africa's history is complex, marked by Dutch settlement at the Cape of Good Hope in 1652.
Dutch settlers, known as Afrikaners or Boers, took land from native Africans, forcing them into labor.
British capture in 1795 and the subsequent 1835-40 Great Trek led to Boer republics (Transvaal and Orange Free State).
Cultural conflicts arose between the more urbanized British and the predominantly agricultural Boers.
The Boer War (1899-1902) resulted in British victory and the formation of the Union of South Africa in 1910. This war was driven by British desire to control South Africa and secure its "great power" status.

Pre-Apartheid Discrimination

White Afrikaners dominated politics and the economy, except for a few select exceptions, blacks often weren't allowed to vote.
Black Africans primarily performed manual labor in mines, factories, and on farms, often living in segregated barrack-style accommodations.
Housing and land were heavily segregated. Reserved areas for black Africans comprised a very small percentage of the total area.
Pass laws controlled black movement within the country, prohibiting them from entering certain areas without permission.

Apartheid Introduced and Developed

After World War II, apartheid, which emphasized racial separation, became a more prominent policy.
The National Party, led by D.F. Malan, came into power, and the Afrikaner Nationalist Party espoused the idea of white supremacy
The Dutch Reformed Church strongly supported this ideology by quoting scripture passages deemed supportive of this notion.
The Broederbond was a secret Afrikaner organization aimed at protecting and preserving Afrikaner power.
The goal was to maintain white supremacy

Main Features of Apartheid

Separation: Complete separation of racial groups in areas like housing, education, and public facilities.
Racial classification: Strict racial classification and identity cards were used to govern people's rights and living conditions.
Pass laws: Laws mandating passbooks for black South Africans that required permission to travel outside of reserved zones. This led to restrictive travel policies for black citizens.
Mixed-race marriages: Marriage and sexual relationships between people of different races were forbidden.
Bantustans: Establishment of separate, self-governing "homelands" for Black people. These areas were politically and economically underdeveloped.

Opposition to Apartheid

African National Congress (ANC): Formed in 1923 to advocate for racial equality, land, and voting rights.
Initial Methods: Began with moderate tactics like lobbying for rights and organizing protests.
Defiance Campaign (1952): A large-scale civil disobedience campaign to challenge apartheid laws. Participation in the campaigns grew with widespread arrests and sentences.
Role of Mandela: A prominent figure in the ANC and an advocate for both non-violent and violent resistance.
Sharpeville Massacre (1960): A major turning point, marked by police brutality against anti-apartheid protestors resulting in a loss of life.
Umkhonto we Sizwe: A militant wing of the ANC formed to engage in sabotage activities aimed toward ending racial discrimination.

Transition to Black Majority Rule and the End of Apartheid

P.W. Botha's Reforms: A series of reforms aimed at easing apartheid despite opposition.
Changes Under Botha: Gradual changes in laws that allowed certain economic and social rights to blacks.
USA Sanctions and International Opposition: Increased international pressure on South Africa through economic boycotts and sanctions by the United States.
Mandela's Release (1990): A crucial step towards ending apartheid.
Free Elections (1994): First multiracial elections and the transition to a democratic and nonracial government, with Nelson Mandela as president.

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Description

Explore the complex history of South Africa leading up to the Anti-Apartheid Movement. This quiz covers the impact of Dutch and British settlement, the cultural conflicts between Afrikaners and British, and early discrimination against black Africans. Test your knowledge of how these events shaped the nation's political landscape.