Reasons the National Party won the 1948 election Flashcards
What was Afrikaner Nationalism?
The idea that Afrikaners are a separate identity and are the chosen people of South Africa
What was the Broederbond and when was it formed?
Formed in 1918; an organisation which promoted Afrikaner interests and laid the foundation for ideological direction
What was at the heart of Afrikaner nationalism?
Religion - Christianity through the Dutch Reformed Church
How did segregation tie into religion?
Afrikaners believed that black and white people were different parts of God’s plan (segregation needed to keep racial purity and the divine design)
Why did the Nationalists oppose SA’s involvement in WW2?
It supported the British Empire - they wanted to be independent/a republic
Who did nationalists support during WW2?
Nazi’s (were fascist sympathizers)
Which two movements were created for fascist supporters?
Oxwagon Sentinel (mass rallies/shooting associations and had 300,000 members)
Greyshirt movement
Members of these groups joined/supported the National Party
Was discrimination and segregation vast globally and what did this mean for nationalism?
Was very common internationally; meant South Africa was no different
Why did South Africa gain more sympathy post-WW2?
Major powers began to become concerned about the lack of human rights for blacks and so began to reconsider racial policies; SA believed they stood for Western values so gained sympathy
What did the United Party begin to do with their policies before the 1948 election?
They flirted with liberal policies and beliefs
Was Smuts a liberal/didn’t support Afrikaner values?
Smuts did support Afrikaner values but was a pragmatist
What did the United Party’s Health Minister advocate for healthcare?
A healthcare system like NHS which served blacks and whites in segregated hospitals
What did nationalists use to play on fears of Afrikaners?
Black danger and Oorstrooming (flooding) of blacks into cities to compete for jobs
What did nationalists accuse Smuts being towards Africans?
Being more sympathetic
How much of the vote did Malan and Smuts win in the 1948 election?
Malan - 38%
Smuts - 49%
