South Africa 1960-68 Flashcards
Why did African opposition to Apartheid increase in 1960
The rise of the PAC created new communities who wanted rid of Apartheid
What did the PAC do to directly oppose the ANC in 1960
They knew the ANC were holding a campaign on the 31st March 1960, but wanted to do one, so they set up their own for the 21st March 1960, angering Mandela and the ANC
Context of Sharpeville including:
- Distance from a major city
- Date of foundation
- How Sharpeville was planned out
- 3 reasons why Sharpeville was politicised
A suburb of Vereeniging, about 70km South of Johannesburg. It was set up in 1942, as a model township with more amenities than most, like a clinic and a library. However, the mass immigration of people forced out of demolished townships like Sophiatown, immigrants from Lesotho and the foundation of a PAC branch politically mobilised the community
What happened on the 20th March 1960
In the night, youths moved onto the streets and stabbed a policeman, before policemen opened fire and killed 2 protesters, then had a meeting at a football stadium which the police broke up
What happened on the 21st March 1961
- 5,000 people, some PAC members, some regular activists, some curious citizens, assembled at Sharpeville Police Station in the morning, and the crowd was relaxed and friendly
- At 1pm, Police reinforcements arrived, with 200 White Policemen with rifles, and 200 Black Policemen with clubs. They were led by the regional chief of police, Lieutenant Colonel Pienaar.
- When one organiser refused to tell the crowd to disperse, he was arrested, making the crowd angrier
- The Police panicked, and one low ranking policemen shouted ‘fire!’ causing panic and the Police opened fire on the crowd, shooting many in the back as they ran
Why did the Police panic at Sharpeville? (3 reasons)
- They were severely outnumbered
- Most policemen there were inexperienced and got overwhelmed by fear
- There was an attack on police at Cato Manor the week before which killed 9 policemen, so police may have feared a repeat
How many were killed and injured in the Sharpeville Massacre
69 killed, 186 wounded
3 things the Police did to cover up their huge mistake in Sharpeville
- Kicked and killed wounded witnesses
- Planted stones to look like they were being attacked
- Got interviewed and blamed the protestors
Why was Sharpeville so much more disturbing to international audiences compared to other events
Photographs of the event quickly circulated in national and international press
How did the UN react to Sharpeville
Passed a regulation denouncing and calling for an end to Apartheid
What did the ANC do following the Sharpeville Massacre
Kept to their plan and organised a mass pass burning on the 28th March 1960, but declared a day of mourning
What two events happened on the 30th March 1960
- A State of National Emergency was declared by Verwoerd
- 30,000 Africans marched peacefully Cape Town
What did the State of Emergency mean
- Public meetings (protests) were banned
- The Police could arrest anyone without fear of consequence
- The Government could pass whatever laws they wanted
Name 3 people who were arrested in the State of Emergency
Nelson Mandela, Joe Slovo, Albert Luthuli
What law banned the ANC and PAC and what day was it passed
8th April 1960, the Unlawful Organisations Act 1960 was passed, meaning the NP could ban whoever they wanted
What happened on the 9th April 1960, a day after the Unlawful Organisations Act 1960
Verwoerd was shot (but survived)
Why was the question of forming a Republic in SA so controversial
Many more moderate NP members (pragmatists) hated Verwoerd’s aggressive, hardline approach and his arrogance, so they wanted to remain a British colony
How did Verwoerd bolster support for becoming a Republic
Made P.J. Meyer, a Transvaal Radical, head of the Broederbond, increasing pro-Republic opinions amongst the Afrikaner elites. Meyer also became head of the South African Broadcasting Corporation, where the Nationalists took control of media
What aspect of media was not introduced by Meyer in SA during until 1976 and why
TV - As the NP didn’t think they could control what went on TV well enough which could cause anti-NP propaganda to be nationally broadcast
What month and year did Harold MacMillan make his ‘winds of change’ speech
February 1960
What was said in the Winds of Change Speech (3)
- Confirmed the UK’s intent to decolonise SA
- Praised SA for its achievements and beauty
- Indirectly called out Apartheid
Why did the UK choose to decolonise SA
- Pressure from the USA
- Insurgencies in Kenya and Malaysia as a result of defending the empire
- High costs for the UK
- Choosing decolonisation could lead to friendly relations and therefore trade
How did Verwoerd react to the Winds of Change Speech
- Emphasised the White determination to stay in power
- Cemented in his mind the idea of ‘decolonising’ SA itself using Bantustans
When was the vote for an independent Republic (MM/YYYY)
October 1960
What was the outcome of the vote for SA independence
52% yes, 48% no
What date did SA become fully independent
31st May 1961
Describe the events that led up to SA leaving the Commonwealth
- Verwoerd applied to remain as a republic in the Commonwealth
- Meeting was held to discuss it in March 1961
- UK, Australia, NZ FOR SA
- Most of Africa and Asia AGAINST SA
- When asked about embassies of newly independent African/Asian countries in Pretoria, Verwoerd said he couldn’t have the city ‘crowded’ with embassies
- This undiplomatic behaviour angered literally everyone, and negotiators advised that SA couldn’t stay in the Commonwealth
- Verwoerd withdrew and SA became fully independent of Britain and the Commonwealth, fully achieving the Afrikaner national dream
What were UK relations with SA like after SA left the commonwealth
- Placed some pressure on them, as they still owned Botswana, Lesotho and eSwatini
- The UK and London especially became the centre of the international Anti-Apartheid Movement (AAM)
- They wanted good relations still though for trade as SA exports to the UK were really important for the UK
- They needed SA as a partner against Communism
What year was the AAM founded, and where
London, 1960
When did the ANC first call for UN boycotts of SA (YYYY)
1959
What law did the UN pass against SA in 1962
Optional ban on imports and exports to SA (mostly not followed by most Western Trade Partners)
What law did the UN pass against SA in 1963 and did the UK follow this
Optional arms embargo against SA, followed by the UK in 1964