SA - The Response to Apartheid c1948-59
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- Created by: LewysJones17
- Created on: 14-02-18 16:00
What was life like in South Africa in 1948?
Race, Segregation and Discrimination
- South Africans categorised into 4 racial groups - Whites, Africans (Natives), Coloured, and Indians
- Racial discrimination existed before 1948
- Whites had power, although in minority (21% of population) - majority of parliament were white MP's
- Africans not allowed to vote, forced to live in separate areas (Townships)
- 1948 election was decided by white population
Urbanisation, Industrialisation and Townships
- Gold discovered in 1886 - caused people to move to Johannesburg to work (Population increased to 1 million)
- South African industry expanded due to WW2
- Africans lived in countryside, Whites lived in cities/towns
- Even poor whites who lived in the countryside, still had vote and were kept separate from blacks
- Increased population of migrants = formation of townships (Areas outside cities) - poor healthcare and sanitation
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What was life like in South Africa in 1948? Pt2
Rural Society
- By 1948, land ownership was divided by race and class - whites owned over 80% of land
- Blacks worked on farms with whites but under strict hierachy - whites didn't do manual labour, blacks did
Arfrikaner Culture and Politics
- Boer War (1899-1902) - Britain fought against the two Afrikaner republics to cement control of the region
- Two parties formed - United Party (Smuts) and The National Party (Malan)
- 1920s to 1930s saw an increased pride in Afrikaner culture - creating new communities in towns
The Influence of Britain
- In 1948, SA was part of the British Empire
- Peopleof British descent made up 40% of the white population
- British investors dominated industries and mines
- English was joint official language and brought across sports such as: rugby, football, and cricket
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Why was the National Party victorious in 1948?
Growth of Afrikaner Nationalism
- Idea that Afrikaners had a distinct identity spearate from other South Africans - gained significantly popularity
- Broederbond (Society of Afrikaners) provided ideological direction in favour of a Christian, Nationalist, and Republican outlook - Christian view was that it was God's plan for whites and blacks to live separately
- Many opposed SA's decision to join WW2, which led to a mass anti-war movement (Ox Wagon Guard) which had 300,000 members. and after the war most supported the National Party
International Context
- Before WW2, segregation and discrimination were common in other countries - United States 'Jim Crows' laws and still remained racially divided
- After WW2 there was an increasing desire for human rights - caused problems for SA's policies
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why was the National Party victorious in 1948? Pt2
The 1948 Election/Fear of Black Resistance
- Smuts would make liberal policies if he had too - people accused Smuts of being sympathetic to the blacks
- Whites feared the flooding of Africans into cities and taking the jobs of whites as well as sexual relations between races
- Due to the 'Westminster Constituency System' - Malan won the election with 39% of the votes even though Smuts got 49% due to Malan gaining the support from the rural areas of SA
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How was Apartheid codified and implemented?
Strengthening the National Party
- In 1949, six members of Parliament were added for whites in Namibia where the Nationalists had support - this increased the support for the NP
- Coloured people became a separate racial group - before they became separate they had the vote, so by removing their ability to do so it meant the NP would have less opposition + less support for United Party
- NP increased the number of people working for the government from 482k to 799k - this would make it easier for the NP to pass laws
Apartheid Laws
- Didn't have a blueprint when they came to power - apartheid meant separateness but NP wanted complete hierachy of rights and power
- 'Separate Development' was long term plan
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how was Apartheid codified and implemented? Pt2
Verwoerd
- Minister of Native Affairs (1950-58) and Prime Minister (1958-66)
- Believed African people saw themselves as tribal people and loyal to their old chiefdom
- Passed Bantu Authorities Act (1951) as a result - tribal authorities in 'reserves' who controlled land and ensured development
- In 1959 passed Bantu Self-Government Act - self governing African units which he hoped would welcome 'separate development'
Race Laws
- Mixed Marriage Act 1949 and Immorality Act 1950 - banned marriages/sex between races
- Population Registration Act 1950 - assigned all South Africans into one of four racial categories
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