Radicalisation of Resistance and the Consolidation of the National Party Power - Topic 2.2 Flashcards
The reasons for creating a South African republic
What were Verwoerd’s aims to create a republic?
How did he plan to achieve his goal?
To build support amongst the white electorate and his own party.
- A whites-only referendum: The 1958 Election gave Verwoerd a secure majority in Parliament and saw the referendum to rally support beyond the Nationalists
- Make the party follow his lead: as a hardline Transvaler, he stamped his authority on the more moderate Cape nationalists
- Bolster support amongst the Broederbond
- Increase control in the South African Broadcasting Corporation
What was the significance of the ‘Wind of Change’ speech?
Macmillan was attempting to steer a careful line: celebrating 50 years of the Union of South Africa; responding to Verwoerd’s calls for a republic; and anxious not to polarise the position. Macmillan was keen to keep South Africa securely western.
‘The wind of change blowing through Africa’ was not intended to call for radical change but articulated conservative realism. Macmillan hoped rapid decolonisation would facilitate strong links between Britain and its former colonies.
Macmillan did query ‘some aspects’ of their policies and warned South African against trying to go it alone.
What outcome came about after the Republic referendum?
5th October 1960
White South Africans voted by a narrow majority of 52% for a republic. Transvaal and the Cape were close, however, Orange Free State and Natal swung further from the middle. A large number rejected the referendum in Natal as the province contain a sizeable British South African population. This severing of ties from Britain made this population lose an important part of their identity.
What was the process for South Africa to leave the Commonwealth?
March 1961
A special Commonwealth Conference was called to consider South Africa’s position. Verwoerd wanted South Africa to remain a republic within the Commonwealth like what ohter countries such as India had done. Asian and African heads of state were strongly against keeping South Africa in the Commonwealth so long as apartheid was in place. New Commonwealth leaders, such as the new President of Ghana Nkurmah, were aware not to split the organisation.
In response to the request for new embassies in Pretoria, Verwoerd said the capital could not be crowded with so many embassies. This response made South Africa unamicable to Britain and Australia, resulting in Verwoerd rescinding the request and South Africa became a fully independent country.
How did international relations change after leaving the Commonwealth?
Relations with Britain didn’t alter too much as Macmillan realised that South Africa was economically and strategically important for Britain. Britain still controlled three colonies surrounding South Africa which, after their independence, became havens for South African political dissidents as well as Britain being home to the AAM.
Britain and the US were still keen to keep South Africa as an ally against communism which the Nationalists always sought to remind in times of trouble. Overseas investment became massive for South Africa in the 60s, reaffirming Britain’s belief that white minority rule outweighed the costs at least in the short run. The UN passed a resolution banning imports and exports to and from South Africa but this call was voluntary.
