Black Consciousness Movement Flashcards
who were the leaders of the black consciousness movement
They were people who had studied at bush colleges which were universities in informal settlements under the Bantustan Policy
What was the Black Consciousness Movement
it was a state of mind rather than a movement
What were the aims of the black consciousness movement. (4)
Promote self respect and confidence in order to liberate south africans
Promote Pride in black identity, culture and history
not work with white liberals but rather encourage them to educate white people and change their attitudes
Unify South Africans by mobilising them to fight in struggle against Apartheid Government
Who were the influences on the black consciousness movement
- PAC and African Nationalists in 1950’s who believed that South Africa belonged to Africans alone
- Black Power Movement in USA
- Ideologies of African leaders such as Kenneth Kaunda, Kwame Nkrumah and Julius Nyerere
why was the BCM referred to as a movement
The BCM was referred to as a broad term for organisations that operated in the 1970’s
what was the BPC
It was the black peoples convention which formed as an umbrella body for organisations which had similar views.
Name 2 organisations formed under BPC
SASM- South African Students Movement
Allied Black workers union
what was the significance of SASM
Encouraged to create student councils in which they could address needs and grievances
what did the BPC do in communities
Created self help schemes such as clinics, legal service, literacy campaigns, community operative and social up lifment projects in disadvantaged areas
Discuss the initial relationship between the ANC and Black Consciousness Movement
The ANC’s non racial stance was a contradiction to the views of BCM aims
What was the Apartheid Governments views of the BCM initially?
The Apartheid government at first was not threatened by the movement because it was seen as a philosophy rather than a political ideology. It also supported the idea of black separateness as this aligned with the bantustan policy
Why did the AG Apartheid Government change its Stance
The black consciousness movement rejected the idea of bantustans and was strongly Anti- Apartheid
Why was the black consciousness movement significant
because it provided black people with confidence which ultimately led them to protest, a significant protest was the Soweto Uprising
put the Soweto Uprising in historical Context
SASM Students had joined BCM and created forums for where students could address their grievances with the oppressive Bantu Education System. As a retaliation they formed thrust a newspaper but was banned and leaders were banned. As a result students came together and formed an Action Committee in which they organised mass demonstration. This took place and as a result police responded harshly, this led to the Soweto Uprising.
why was the BCM significant?
After the demonstration motivated by the SASM which was apart of the BCM, the soweto uprising led to a state of unrest in South Africa leading to SASM members and leaders being detained, killed. Protest was no longer against education but rather the Apartheid government. The govt banned the organisation associated to BCM showing its threat and strength hence the need to destroy it. BCM brought a new sense of defiance
