South Africa - Why did SA become a republic in 1961? Flashcards
VERWOERD’S AIMS
What was the outcome of the 1958 elections? What percent of parliamentary seats did they have?
NP secure majority
66%
VERWOERD’S AIMS
By 1960s, what was Verwoerd confident enough to announce? What did he see this as an opportunity for?
a whites-only referendum
opportunity for:
rallying support beyond normal constituencies that back NP
VERWOERD’S AIMS
What was Verwoerd’s reasons for calling the referendum? What did he want to be seen as a representative of, and against?
determined to stamp his authority within the Party
representative of hardline Transvalers
against the influence of more moderate Cape nationalists
VERWOERD’S AIMS
Why were moderate Cape nationalists unhappy with Verwoerd?
his aggressive:
- leadership
- arrogance
- his refusal to change view on SA as a republic
VERWOERD’S AIMS
Where else did Verwoerd get his support from?
Afrikaner Christian nationalist association, Broederbond
VERWOERD’S AIMS
Who was now the head of the Borderbond? What was he like
Dr. P.J. Meyer (former member of Ossewabrandwag)
he was a Transvaal radical
VERWOERD’S AIMS
What else was Meyer appointed head of? What did this mean?
South African Broadcasting Corporation
nationalists took increasing control of the broadcast media
VERWOERD’S AIMS
How did the government curtail the influence of global news and opinion at height of apartheid?
SA was not allowed 1976 because they could not adequately control the output
MACMILLAN’S WIND OF CHANGE SPEECH
When did Macmillan go on a tour of Africa? What were the 3 purposes of the tour?
Feb 1960
- confirm Britain’s decision to decolonise more broadly
- to celebrate African self-government
- strengthen Commonwealth ties
- to keep African on side of Western democracies during Cold War
MACMILLAN’S WIND OF CHANGE SPEECH
What were 2 reasons why had Britain decided to decolonise?
- costs of empire were rising
2. American pressure on Britain to decolonise
MACMILLAN’S WIND OF CHANGE SPEECH
What was the famous phrase from the speech? What was this intended to mean?
‘the wind of change is blowing through Africa’
NOT intended to ask for radical change
WAS intended to show the conservative realism that meant the government was pursuing decolonisation
MACMILLAN’S WIND OF CHANGE SPEECH
What was Macmillan trying to steer a careful line between?
celebrating 50 years of Union of SA
Responding to Verwoerd’s call for a republic
all whilst not trying to polarise the nation
MACMILLAN’S WIND OF CHANGE SPEECH
What evidence was there that Macmillan seemed to be ‘on side’ of the African nationalists?
- presented African nationalism as natural and indicated that white SAs needed to accept it
- did not directly say that white SA should give black SAs political rights but did explicitly query ‘some aspects of your policies’
MACMILLAN’S WIND OF CHANGE SPEECH
What did he warn SA against?
‘going it alone’
MACMILLAN’S WIND OF CHANGE SPEECH
What did Verwoerd publicly react to Macmillan’s speech? How did Macmillan’s speech affect Verwoerd’s inward views?
he emphasised the white determination to stay in power
with Macmillan’s speech and changing face of Africa, it cemented in his head the idea of an ‘internal decolonisation’ policy of SA
e.g. through Bantustan or homeland polic
MACMILLAN’S WIND OF CHANGE SPEECH
What were 2 effects of Macmillan’s speech?
- SA saw Britain as a reference point
2. media was more attentive, speech was heard more analytically
ESTABLISHING THE REPUBLIC, 1960-1
What was the outcome of the Oct 1960 whites-only referendum?
52% in favour for a republic
ESTABLISHING THE REPUBLIC, 1960-1
How was the franchise extended?
- voting age lowered to 18 for whites
- extended to whites in South-West Africa
ESTABLISHING THE REPUBLIC, 1960-1
What was the consensus in the Cape and Transvaal? How about in Natal?
Cape/Transvaal: small majorities voted for a republic
Natal: large number of British SAs rejected it (Commonwealth remained a large influence on their identity)
ESTABLISHING THE REPUBLIC, 1960-1
What was the black reaction to the referendum?
rejected it as it did not consult the African majority
ESTABLISHING THE REPUBLIC, 1960-1
When did SA become a republic? What were the 3 major changes?
31 May 1961
- ‘state president’ to be ceremonial head of state instead of Queen and GG
- new currency Rand replaced British Pound
- ‘crown’ was replaced by state, ‘royal was removed’ from organisations and institutions
ESTABLISHING THE REPUBLIC, 1960-1
What had a bigger effect on SA: republic or commonwealth?
commonwealth
LEAVING THE COMMONWEALTH
When and why did Verwoerd go to London after SA became a republic?
3 March 1961
to discuss SA becoming a republic while remaining in the commonwealth (like India)
LEAVING THE COMMONWEALTH
Who was originally in favour of SA remaining the commonwealth as a republic? Who was against it?
Britain, Australia, New Zealand
Asian and African heads of state
LEAVING THE COMMONWEALTH
A compromise could’ve been possible, but what did Verwoerd say that was too controversial for this to happen?
when asked whether he’d allow diplomatic representation for new independent African states in Pretoria
he was quoted saying that he could not have the capital so crowded with embassies
LEAVING THE COMMONWEALTH
What changing after Verwoerd’s controversial statement?
British and Australians could not advise to keep SA as a republic in Commonwealth
Verwoerd withdrew the application to stay
LEAVING THE COMMONWEALTH
What were 3 positive impacts of leaving the Commonwealth? What was a negative one?
- Afrikaner nationalist dream achieved of becoming a state full independent from Britain
- more overseas investment
- essential gold still supplied by SA to Western powers
negative
3 neighbouring countries were British colonial powers. they were occasional havens for SA political dissidents looking to escape
LEAVING THE COMMONWEALTH
What are 5 negative impacts on SAs international relations?
- Britain keep to keep some pressure on SA through international and regional channels
- Britain was still colonial power in 3 neighbouring countries (they were occasional havens for SA political dissidents looking to escape)
- Britain was also major fleeing destination for those fleeing SA. British AAM become global focus for opposition
- Con Party Monday Club established after Macmillans speech, he was seen as undermining commitment to Empire
- Sharpeville and Cape Town triggered a brief withdrawal of investment from AS
LEAVING THE COMMONWEALTH
What were some positive impacts on international relations?
- Macmillan notes that SA was economically and strategically important for UK
- SA emphasised its role as a bastion against communism in Africa. Cuban Missile Crisis ‘62 affirmed white minority rule outweigh the costs
- massive investment overseas during 60s
LEAVING THE COMMONWEALTH
Was the government more rewarded or punished for leaving Commonwealth and being a republic?
more reward
LEAVING THE COMMONWEALTH
What were the first calls for sanction against SA in 1959?
ANC called for sanctions against SA
LEAVING THE COMMONWEALTH
What 1962 resolution did the UN pass? What was the issue with this?
to ban imports and exports to/from SA
voluntary
so Western powers with strong interests in SA did not implement sanctions
LEAVING THE COMMONWEALTH
What was the 1963 UN resolution? Why was this more successful than the other resolution?
arms embargo against SA
voluntary
but ‘64, Labour under Harold Wilson decided to impose it
