1968 - 1983 Flashcards
Why did the National Party establish ethnically specific universities for black South Africans?
Because they realised that whites could not provide all the skills needed to keep the country afloat.
Why was Bantu education criticised?
Lower level of education due to separate development, poor facilities and overall bad quality of education.
What were students influenced by in their fight against apartheid?
The US civil rights movement, Christian and black American ideas.
Some had families with ties to the ANC and PAC and were influenced by that as well.
What is the NUSAS?
National Union of South African Students.
Who was Steve Biko?
A medical student at the University of Natal. He led the black division of the NUSAS in 1967. He was also the first president of the SASO when it was founded in 1969.
What were the key principles of black consciousness?
pride in being black, liberation of the black mind and self-identity.
What allowed black students to create the movement of black consciousness and have spaces for intellectual exchange?
The creation of black universities by the National Party.
Why did the mobilisation of schoolchildren increase?
Because student numbers increased drastically and schools were not equipped to accommodate this. It led to protests and discontent.
Students were also fighting on two fronts; against the government and against the gangs who threatened them.
When did the Soweto uprising happen?
June 1976.
Briefly explain the Soweto uprising.
The NP wanted to implement more subjects being taught in Afrikaans. Students were unhappy and protested. 2000 marching students were confronted by police. Police threw stones, shot and released dogs. The students responded by killing two cops, attacking government buildings and putting up barricades.
Incidents spread through the country during the following weeks.
What happened to the student leaders of the Soweto uprising?
They were imprisoned at Robben Island.
How was Steve Biko’s death (1977) impactful?
He had been banned and broke his banning order. He was arrested, beaten and tortured. He died a few weeks later in police custody. They claimed it was due to a hunger strike, but there was compelling evidence that this was a lie. It caused international outrage, particularly in Western countries. His funeral was attended by several foreign ambassadors.
Name the two attempts of MK to create a route from Zambia to South Africa.
Wankie, 1967
Sipolio, 1968
Why was the ANC in exile based in Zambia?
To maintain control of operations from a country close to South Africa, ruled by a president sympathetic to the ANC cause.
What challenges was the National Party facing within South Africa?
Trade union activity, re-emergence of the ANC and support in South Africa, liberal opposition within the country, troubles in the Bantustans and homeland policy, as well as division within the party and economic and population pressures.
The National Party was divided into two groups during this time. What were they?
Verligte (progressive) and Verkrampte (conservatives)
How did the National Party try to influence international media in their favour?
By buying and publishing magazines and cultivating overseas politicians.
What was the information scandal of 1978?
Newspapers published stories that the propaganda fund of the party was being used in corrupt and inappropriate ways. For the opposition, this was a chance to showcase the corruption and abuse of power of the government.
Who became prime minister in 1978?
P. W. Botha.
Why was South Africa affected by the 1973 oil crisis?
Because it has no natural oil. It was also no longer economically growing and the population was increasing drastically.
What was the Surplus People’s Project?
A research program by anti-apartheid academics that documented the experiences of those farmers who left to live and work in urban areas.
Why did Botha want to reform the country?
To develop a presidential government and save the economy. He made it clear that reform would come with repression if necessary, and that his goal was not to eliminate apartheid.
What happened to the Verkrampte?
They split from the National Party and formed the Conservative Party.
How did Botha reform the economy?
He began to relax economic apartheid. Black people could get more high-level jobs and in 1979 the national professional football league was deracialised.
How did Botha reform the constitution?
He concentrated power in the executive branch rather than parliament. He established the President’s Council in 1980. In 1983, coloured and Indian parliaments were established.
Why and when was the UDF formed?
As a result of many activists deciding to stand against Botha.
It was formed in 1983.
Did the UDF advocate for armed struggle?
No.
Name some protest strategies of the time.
Open rebellions, the ‘Liberation before Education’ school boycott and ANC leaders calling to ‘make the country ungovernable’.
