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Fall Of Apartheid Flashcards

1
Q

How did the political leadership and mobilisation of the ANC contribute to the fall of apartheid

A

They were the main political opponents.
- provided leadership and vision for the anti-apartheid movement
- united groups like workers, students, intellectuals etc around common goals of justice and democracy.

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2
Q

When was the anc created

A

1912

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3
Q

When was the MK founded, who founded it and what was it

A

1961 by ANC members such as Mandela. They were an armed wing of the ANC that launched sabotage campaigns against government infrastructure like power stations and railways.

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4
Q

What was the MK called in afrikaans

A

Umkhonto Sizwe

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5
Q

How did the ANC influence international sanctions on SA

A

They put pressure on other countries to economically isolate South Africa, but the ANC also told other countries to also apply diplomatic pressure on South Africa

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6
Q

What groups did the ANC ally with (2)

A
  1. The UDF (united democratic front)
  2. The SACP (the South African communist party)
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7
Q

What were the positive impacts of the ANC’s ties with the communist party (3)

A
  1. The anti-apartheid struggle was strengthened
  2. Many ANC leaders like Mandela were influenced by communist ideas (shown by his policies when he became president)
  3. Left-wing countries like the USSR, China and Cuba offered support to the anti-apartheid movement because they wanted the communists to overthrow the capitalist apartheid government
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8
Q

What were the negative impacts of the ANC’s ties with the communist party

A
  1. The west did not support them due to their communist ideas and even supported the white government, even while knowing apartheid was wrong
  2. White people in South Africa developed fear of communism (red scare esque)
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9
Q

Summarise the impact of Mandela on the fall of apartheid in one sentence

A

He emerged as the symbolic leader of the anti-apartheid struggle and his imprisonment galvanised global support for the ANC.

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10
Q

Who were some key leaders of the ANC (5)

A
  1. Nelson Mandela
  2. Desmond Tutu
  3. Joe Slovo
  4. Oliver Tambo
  5. Walter Sisulu
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11
Q

When was the ANC banned and Mandela released

A

1990

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12
Q

How long did Mandela spend in prison

A

27 years

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13
Q

How did the ANC’s mass resistance campaign impact the fall of apartheid

A

It destabilised the apartheid government, leading to increasing unrest in SA and forcing the government to consider reform.

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14
Q

What was the “New South Africa” vision made by the ANC

A

They played a central role in shaping the vision of a post-apartheid SA, promoting ideas such as non-racialism, reconciliation (restoring of friendly relations with other countries) and equality

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15
Q

How did the ANC’s “new South Africa” impact the CODESA talks

A

It established the framework for a peaceful transition to democracy, ending in the first ever SA multiracial election in 1994.

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16
Q

How did the endurance of the ANC impact their impact on the fall of apartheid

A

They faced a lot of repression e.g. Rivonia, or the banning of their activism, but they kept fighting for almost 60 years

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17
Q

Summarise the impact of the ANC on the fall of apartheid (5)

A
  1. Active for almost 60 years (long term impact) KEY POINT - first key sentence for ANC
  2. Helped to foster the emergence of figure like Mandela, Tutu, Tambo and Biko
  3. Unified many anti-apartheid groups into one movement
  4. Advocated for international support
  5. Took charge of the CODESA talks
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18
Q

How did the leadership of churches impact the fall of apartheid

A

Many church leaders spoke out against apartheid, many of whom were from the SACC (South African council of churches). They framed apartheid as a sin

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19
Q

How did churches provide non violent resistance

A

They used protests, strikes and prayer services. They provided a shield of moral legitimacy to the movements, so it was hard for the government to attack them without seeming anti-religious

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20
Q

How did the churches provide sanctuary and support

A

They offered sanctuary to anti-apartheid protesters running from the law - they also provided legal, medical and material aid to victims of apartheid

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21
Q

How did churches internationally contribute to the fall of apartheid

A

Many churches used their influence to pressurise governments and international organisations to sanction SA

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22
Q

How did the churches help to organise anti-apartheid groups

A

Provided platforms for groups like the UDF to act from

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23
Q

What percentage of South Africans were Christian

A

75%

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24
Q

How did trade unions impact the fall of apartheid, using strikes

A

They organised large scale strikes and protests, disrupting the economy. A key protest was the 1973 Durban strikes, inspiring broader labour activism, showing the strength of the working class

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25
How did trade unions apply economic pressure to the apartheid government
Workers refused to comply with unfair labour laws and apartheid policies. By halting production and transport, they were able to show how important black people were to the economy
26
What was the COSATU and what did it do
The congress of South African trade unions - formed as an umbrella organisation to unite trade unions. Combined labour activism with political resistance - became a vital force in the anti-apartheid fight
27
Who was Cyril ramaphosa and what did he do
He was the general secretary of the NUM (national union of mineworkers) - the largest trade union in SA at the time. He orchestrated the 1987 mining strike, with 300,000+ workers participating
28
1987 mining strike
Orchestrated by ramaphosa - over 300k workers striked
29
What did ramaphosa do with the COSATU
He helped to build it, then his leadership helped to unite the labour movement with other groups like the ANC, with ramaphosa becoming a key negotiator for the ANC during the CODESA talks
30
Summarise the contribution of Mandela in one sentence
The iconic leader of the ANC, imprisoned for 27 years, who became a symbol of resistance against apartheid and later the first black president of SA
31
Summarise F.W de Klerk’s contribution in one sentence
He was the last apartheid president who, dramatically, initiated the dismantling of apartheid, unbanning the ANC and releasing Mandela
32
Summarise Desmond tutu’s contribution in one sentence
A prominent anti-apartheid activist and bishop who led campaigns of non violent resistance and advocated for international sanctions against the apartheid government
33
Summarise Steve biko’s contribution in one sentence
Leader of the Black Consciousness Movement, advocating for the empowerment of black South Africans; his death in 1977 in police custody was a rallying cry
34
Summarise the contribution of Oliver Tambo in one sentence
ANC leader in exile who played a major role in garnering international support for the anti-apartheid struggle
35
How did the economic decline impact the fall of apartheid
By the 1980s, the economy was struggling due to international sanctions, lack of investment and the racially separated labour market being very inefficient
36
Why did the cost of the military and police impact
The SA government spent lots on keeping a strong arms industry, with the buffer states becoming hostile and to suppress internal uprisings in SA - this was taking a huge chunk of their already small budget
37
What were the disinvestment campaigns and how did they impact the fall of apartheid
International pressure on businesses to disinvest from South Africa, leading to economic instability and awareness of the unsustainable nature of apartheid
38
How was SA diplomatically isolated
they were banned from the Olympics 1980 - as well as other international organisations
39
Why did the end of the Cold War impact the fall of apartheid
International focus shifted towards human rights instead of keeping capitalist apartheid alive. After the USSR fell, the threat of communism fell
40
What impact did the global human rights movement have
Put pressure on SA to end apartheid and reach international standards
41
How did the UN impact the fall of apartheid
It’s nations sanctioned SA including arms embargo, trade restrictions and isolating SA
42
How did anti-apartheid movements in other countries impact the fall of apartheid
Boycotts and disinvestment campaigns and protests pressured governments to act against apartheid
43
When did de Klerk come to power and why
1989 - Botha suffered a stroke, but didnt die
44
What did de Klerk immediately do
He legalised the ANC, PAC and SACP, along with releasing political prisoners like mandela
45
Why did de Klerk legalise the ANC
He though it would’ve been weaker than it was
46
Why did the economic situation prompt de Klerk to do what he did
The economy was bad and was getting worse
47
How did some white South Africans view apartheid in 1989
They wanted to abolish it - primarily for economic reasons
48
Why did the nationalists offer Mandela a deal to release him
They wanted him to live a quiet life in retirement, so he would lose his influence, but also because they thought the world would like that, so they would hold onto power
49
When was Nelson released
February 1990
50
What did Mandela hope for when he was released
That apartheid would be overthrown and that he would make deals with de Klerk
51
How did the ANC change in 1989
Mandela became the president of
52
Why did de Klerk say he ended apartheid
Conscience, ethics and moral justice (Christian perspective)
53
What is my opinion on why de Klerk release Mandela
He was foolish - he misread the situation and it ended up working against him. He was probably misadvised - it was most likely a scheme to gain political support, but actually it leaned the other way. He wanted mandela’s release to be a distraction from the apartheid regime on the international and domestic stage, but actually with mandela’s activism this backfired. However, he was somewhat forced into it due to international pressure and the poor state of the economy. Perhaps his Christianity in a way impacted this.
54
Give 5 reasons why anti-apartheid seemed hard to achieve in 1990
1. The Namibian elections (SA funded assassinations + disruptions, not foreshadowing well for SA elections) 2. The sebokeng massacre 1990 - police fired on 50,000 ANC 3. Opposition from white suprematists 4. State sponsored black on black violence 5. Disagreements over the new constitution e.g. the one man one vote
55
56
What were the national party demanding in CODESA (3)
1. Against one man one vote 2. Minority parties needed to have a share of the power to protect and reassure the whites 3. Kept regional power in hands of black chiefs
57
What did the ANC want from the CODESA talks
One man one vote - this would give the ANC power because they were the majority black party
58
What was the Inkatha and why did they clash with the anc
A black Zulu organisation lead by chief Buthelezi. The zulus had special status under apartheid. Buthelezi feared that he would lose his power if aparthied fell. Armed groups of the Inkatha and anc killed each other in 1991-92
59
What was the third force
Accused policemen in disguise who attacked ANC supporters to stir up violence between the ANC and the Inkatha. De Klerk denied a part
60
What was the boipatong massacre and when
17th June 1992 - Inkatha members attacked residents of boipatong, killing 46, mostly women and children. The security forces didnt try to prevent it. Mandela’s patience snapped (this was during the CODESA talks) - he accused de Klerk of organising violence. The ANC then suspended the CODESA talks. There was a 48 hour strike involving 100,000 people.
61
What was the Bisho massacre and when
7th September 1992 - 70k ANC supporters marched to Bisho, protesting against the Ciseki leader, Gqozo. He then ordered his troops to open fire. 28 were killed (shot by Gqozo’s men) and 200 wounded
62
When did the CODESA talks resume
September 1992
63
When did the CODESA talks start
Late 1991
64
Who was Chris Hani and what happened to him and when
The popular leader of the South Africa communist party. He was gunned down by a white récits o the 10th April 1993
65
How did Mandela impact CODESA
He signed a record of understanding to reduce the violence surrounding the talks and to continue talks, avoiding potential civil war. He achieved the abolition of the bantusans He achieved a free election He achieved one man one vote He did however walk out of the talks
66
How did de Klerk impact CODESA
He aimed to delay the changes. He ensured he had white support in a whites only referendum- 17th march 1992 - 69% supported him. He was unwilling to make his security protect the ANC however
67
Who was joe Slovo
A white communist who was also in the MK. He suggested that the jobs of all civil servants for aparthied should be preserved. He said that a power sharing system should be be in use for 5 years

History South Africa (5 decks)

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