1978-89 Flashcards
When was Botha president and prime minsiter
PM - 78-84
President 84-89
What problems did Botha face when coming into office (6)
- The sporting boycott irritated white South Africans
- Pressure to isolate South Africa with economic sanctions was increasing
- Foreign businesses were under pressure to withdraw from SA
- The buffer states were hostile to SA
- The black population was fast growing - whites were outnumbered 8:1
- Black anti apartheid protest was proving impossible to crush
What was total onslaught
South Africa was facing ruthless and relentless attacks from communist forces, both inside and outside the country
What was total strategy
The governments would fight this onslaught totally - abroad and in SA - with every possible means: military, economics, physiology and politics
What was the propaganda war
South Africa were fighting a war against communism on behalf of freedom, democracy, Christianity and free enterprise
What did Botha do militarily (5)
- Set up the State Security Council in 1982 - including army generals and police chiefs - became like a parallel government
- The SADF (SA defence force) numbered over 250k by 1981
- Two years of military service became compulsory for all white South African males
- Set up SAs own arms industry
- Military spending rose from 700m rand in 1974 to 3b rand in 1981
What was the key fact on bothas military reforms
Military spending rose from 700m rand in 1974 to 3b rand in 1981
What was the result of bothas military reforms on South Africa’s global position
SA became a major military power
What did Botha do in Angola
Backed anti-government guerrila movements and raided MK bases
What did Botha do in Mozambique
Set up an anti-government force, triggering civil war. In 1984, they agreed to withdraw if Mozambique stopped assisting the ANC
What was the dirty war
Many assassinations of ANC leaders in exile
Ruth First was killed by parcel bomb in Mozambique, 1982
How did Botha improve relations with the west (2)
- Played on fear of communism
- Success with thatcher and Reagan resisting UN sanctions, as well as worldwide opinion
What was the quote of Reagan towards SA
He called South Africa a “friendly nation”
What were the 5 aims for reforms in SA from Botha
- Placate (make less angry) the white business leaders who were worried about the economy by lifting some restrictions of movement and making a black ‘middle class’
- Trade unions for black workers legalised in the 1979 Wiehahn Report
- Education - spending tripled by 1990, although it was still segregated
- Blacks we’re allowed to move more freely - Reikert Report 1979
- “Petty apartheid” - pass laws abolished 1986, some desegregation + mixed marriages act abolished
How did Botha do political reform
1983 -a new constitution with Tricameral parliament
Coloureds and Indians got some votes:
178 white MPs, 85 coloured, 45 Indians
What was the overall opinion of total strategy
Failed
What was the effect of the relaxation of pass laws
More unemployed blacks poured into townships, fuelling anger
What did the trade union allowing cause (2)
- 365k days were lost through strikes in 1982 (only 14k in 1974)
- COSATU was formed
What % of blacks we’re under 25 in 1980 and what effect did this have
Almost 50%
Schools became centres of resistance - no books, crowded etc
Nearly 100,000 student boycotted class in 1981
When was the UDF formed
1983
What was the UDF’s full name
The United Democratic Front
What was the UDF
A group that combined 565 anti-apartheid groups, including student organisations, trade unions, women’s groups and church groups
what was the effect of the formation of the UDF
- The movement became more unified
- Revival of interest in the ANC due to very similar ideals
- Calls for mandelas release
