South Africa - Radicalisation of resistance and the consolidation of National Party 1960-68 Flashcards
How many were killed and injured in Sharpeville and when?
69 dead, 187 injured in 21 March 1960
When was Verwoerd leader till and what was the policy that he supported strongest?
1966, and separate development in the Bantustans
What was the result of breaking a pass law?
Fine between £5-£8 or 5-8 weeks in prison
What percentage of Africans lived on less than £20 a month?
80%
How many pass incidents were there a day in the 1960s?
1,000
What were the main 3 complaints of Africans in the 1960s?
Pass laws, municipal rents and prohibition of liquor sales
How did the PAC protest compared to the ANC?
The PAC were less about leaders and more about the population struggling together towards freedom
How did the PAC act towards the ANC?
They copied, and tried to outdo them, such as doing Sharpeville 10 days before a planned ANC protest
What had happened in 1956 to show Sharpeville’s anti-apartheid stance?
15 were killed in bus boycotts
What occurred in 1958 to politicise the Sharpeville community?
10,000 forced to move there under Group Areas Act, so lack of housing and higher rents
Which ethnic group in Sharpeville raised the political tension?
Lesotho Africans who had next to no rights
What was founded in 1959 to raise the political activism in Sharpeville?
A well organized branch of the PAC with leader Nyakane Tsolo
What was the trigger for the shootings at Sharpeville?
Colonel Pienaar’s reinforcements, inexperienced and scared since the killing of 9 policemen in Cato Manor a few weeks before as well as police arrested Nyakane Tsolo, only leader able to control crowd
What did the police do post-Sharpeville to aid their case?
Place stones in the grounds of the police station and created two mounds of weapons to show to media
Why were the Sharpeville shootings seen so vividly and what was the international response?
There were many photos of the events, and the UN Security Council passed a resolution denouncing the events - later supported by UK and US
What does the events at Cape Town in 1960 show about the PAC at this time?
They were still committed to peace, with the Langa March receiving the support of around 40,000
What was the government response to Sharpeville?
State of emergency, and many increased police powers with a crackdown arresting many, including Mandela and Luthuli
What piece of legislation was passed after Sharpeville?
Unlawful Organisations Act aimed at the PAC and ANC, banning them in 1960
Which piece of legislation was most useful to the police during crackdowns?
Public Safety Act of 1953 whereby the police could work without warrants
What shows the waning power of Britain in SA before the republic was created?
1955 Simonstown Naval Base was handed to SA
What gave the National Party the political ability to cal a referendum?
Their 66% of seats in parliament after the 1958 election
How was the National Party split in 1960?
Between hardline Transvaal inhabitants like Verwoerd and nationalist Cape Town inhabitants
How did hardline Transvaal influences grow by 1960?
The Broderbund were led by a new leader as such, who also controlled the SA Broadcasting Association
How did the SA Broadcasting Association aid the NP?
They only allowed TV in 1976 to limit foreign influence
Why was Macmillan somewhat for decolonisation?
It would mean that those nations would be happier to trade and work with Britain
When was the Wind of Change speech?
1960, after Verwoerd had called the referendum
What was Verwoerd reaction to Macmillan’s calls for decolonisation and more black rights?
A further pursuit of the policy in the Bantustans of self-government
When did SA become RSA?
May 1961
What changes were made to government and currency as a result of the RSA forming?
State President became head of state and rand replaced pound
What were the majority of changes like in the move to RSA?
Aesthetic, such as the removing of Royal from state-owned entities
Why did SA have to leave the Commonwealth?
As well as Asian and African nations’ qualms, Verwoerd said that African embassies would not be allowed into Pretoria due to overcrowding
How was Britain and it’s colonies used by dissidents?
They often fled there, for example the AAM set up in London in 1960
How was SA politically safe from international pressure in the 1960s?
Parts of the Tory Party were against the wind of change speech, and SA positioned itself well as a bulwark against communism after the Cuban Missile Crisis
How was SA economically safe from international pressure during the 1960s?
Much foreign investment was pumped into SA from Britain at this time, and the gold and uranium from SA was of vital use to other nations
When were the first British sanctions laid on SA?
1964 Wilson’s arms embargo as put forward by the UN a year before
When were the Treason Trial members acquitted?
March 1961
Why did the ANC see violence as a possible route to success?
It has worked in China, Cuba and Algeria
When was the armed struggle taken up by the ANC?
June 1961
Who in the ANC had reservations about the armed struggle?
Luthuli and some members of the SA Indian Congress
Who led the MK?
Mandela for the ANC side, and Joe Slovo for the CP
Who helped the MK internationally?
Soviet Union, and China and East Germany for training and Ethiopia (not so communist)
How did the MK begin it’s violence?
Sabotage of communication links
Who worked for Poqo?
Underground migrant workers, first in Cape Town
What did Poqo attempt to do?
Work like the Mau Mau in Kenya and focus on pro-African SA political education
How did Poqo work with the PAC?
While the same Africanist views were supported, the PAC had little control over the random violence of Poqo