Development of Apartheid (1954 - 1978) Flashcards
When did Verwoerd become Prime Minister?
In 1958
1959 Bantu Self-Government Act
• Set up territorial governments in ‘homelands’, the designated lands for Black people, where they could vote
• The intention was for these homelands to become independent of South Africa
How was Verwoerd successful at establishing Social Control / Racial Segregation 1958 - 1966?
• Police had increased control and could be cruel to Blacks without charge
• Whites and Blacks went to different schools
• Blacks had to present passes to get jobs
• Blacks were confined to their homelands and became too poor to afford to live
• Interracial marriage was banned
How was Verwoerd successful at establishing Political Control 1958 - 1966?
• His government gained the support of the South African Agricultural Union
• Banned parties & protests in favour of racial integration
• Staged a mock reform to blunt opposition
• Imprisoned the country’s most experienced opposition leaders
• Heavy, widespread censorship
How was Verwoerd successful at improving White Economy 1958 - 1966?
• Economic boom in the 1960s
• Lots of British investment
• International Investment boomed
• Focus on industry and heavy machinery
How was Verwoerd successful at improving White Living Conditions 1958 - 1966?
• Whites had very good living conditions
• White population grew massively
• White Life expectancy was 68, Blacks was 55
How was Verwoerd’s approach to tackling the Economy unsuccessful?
It relied on:
• Foreign investment
• Importation of heavy machinery
• Importation of oil
How was Verwoerd successful at improving White International Relations 1958 - 1966?
Britain:
• Maintained close economic ties with SA
• British banks controlled 60% of SA bank deposits
USA:
• Interest in SA minerals so kept close ties
• Its leader condemned Apartheid
• Saw SA as a bulwark against communism and sold arms to SA to aid this
Friendly Neighbours
• Portuguese colonies in Angola & Mozambique
• White-controlled Rhodesia
• Zambia (newly independent) relied on SA for trade and parts
How was Vorster successful at improving Social Control / Racial Segregation 1958 - 1966?
• Vorster got PW Botha to investigate a new constitution to bring Indian and Coloured voters into government
How was Vorster successful at improving Political Control 1958 - 1966?
• Thousands detained, banned or put under house arrest
• Vorster turned a blind-eye to deaths in detention, with some accusing him of encouraging the practice
• Compulsory military service for white youth & increased capacity of the Army
• March 1973 government banned Steve Biko & a number of Black Consciousness activists
• Banned 18 political organisations banned (mostly BCM) following the 1977 Soweto Uprising
How was Vorster successful at improving * International Relations* 1958 - 1966?
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1955 Freedom Charter
• Outlined opposition’s wishes for a free SA and helped them plan opposition moving forward
• Led by the ANC
• 3,000 delegates
• Secretly watched by Mandela & Sisulu
• Meeting surrounded by Police
1956-1961 Treason Trial
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