T1 M8 The Nature of the Apartheid State Flashcards
What was apartheid in South Africa?
Apartheid was a legal and institutionalized form of racism in South Africa, initiated by the National Party in 1948, which granted political power to white South Africans and enforced segregation and discrimination against black South Africans.
What were the main resistance movements against apartheid in South Africa?
The African National Congress (ANC) and the Pan African Congress (PAC) were the primary resistance movements against apartheid in South Africa.
What was Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), and what was its focus?
Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) was the armed wing of the ANC, and it primarily focused on sabotage attacks on public buildings, electricity lines, and other government property.
How did the apartheid government react to resistance in the 1960s?
In the 1960s, the apartheid government reacted harshly to resistance by infiltrating the underground structures of resistance movements, imprisoning leaders on Robben Island or forcing them into exile, and granting the Security Police greater powers to suppress opposition.
What was the role of the Bureau of State Security (BOSS) during apartheid?
The Bureau of State Security (BOSS) was known for its torture and abuse of prisoners, using violent assaults, beatings, electric shock treatment, sleep deprivation, and other torture methods to extract information about resistance activities.
What event in 1976 marked an intensification of resistance against apartheid?
The 1976 Soweto Uprising marked an intensification of resistance against apartheid in South Africa.
Who was John Vorster, and what role did he play in South African politics?
John Vorster was a prominent figure in South African politics, serving as the Prime Minister of South Africa during the late 1960s and most of the 1970s. He led the National Party, which was committed to maintaining apartheid and protecting white privilege.
How did John Vorster view communism and his relationship with the USA during the Cold War?
John Vorster was strongly anti-communist and supported the USA during the Cold War. South Africa’s government had a close relationship with the USA during this period.
What was the concept of “separate development” in the context of apartheid?
“Separate development” was a component of apartheid, part of President Verwoerd’s “grand apartheid” scheme, which aimed to separate black and white South Africans. It involved the creation of “homelands” or “Bantustans” for African people in South Africa.
What were some of the key pressures on the apartheid system in the 1970s and 1980s?
Pressures on the apartheid system included a rise in oil prices, the growth of trade unionism and illegal strikes, a declining economy, collapsing influx control, the loss of protective buffer states, the emergence of the Black Consciousness Movement, and the impact of the 1976 Soweto Uprising.
What was the “total strategy” developed by Prime Minister P.W. Botha, and what were its main components?
The “total strategy” was developed to protect white rule in South Africa and included:
Portraying South Africa as facing a threat from the Soviet Union and communist forces.
Increasing military conscription for white men to two years.
Destabilizing neighboring countries through cross-border attacks.
Introducing limited “reforms” to win the support of middle-class black South Africans.
Supporting a tri-cameral parliament that excluded Africans.
What was the global context during the development of the “total strategy,” and how did this influence international responses to South Africa’s policies?
The “total strategy” was developed during the Cold War when the West, including the USA and the UK, was strongly anti-communist. This influenced their resistance to pressure from the UN and the Commonwealth to impose sanctions on South Africa, as they viewed South Africa as a bulwark against communism in southern Africa.
How did the recognition of black trade unions by the 1979 Labour Relations Act impact the struggle against apartheid?
The recognition of black trade unions by the 1979 Labour Relations Act led to a significant growth in trade unionism in South Africa during the 1980s. This growth, including the launch of COSATU in 1985, allowed half a million workers to participate in strikes, which had a devastating effect on the economy.
How did anti-apartheid opposition become more organized in the 1980s?
Anti-apartheid opposition became more organized with the formation of the United Democratic Front (UDF) in 1983 and the Mass Democratic Movement (MDM) in 1989. These organizations facilitated more organized and effective resistance to apartheid.
What events in the townships in 1984 marked the beginning of unrest, and how did the apartheid regime respond?
Unrest in the townships began in 1984 with protestors burning down government buildings, erecting roadblocks in townships, and an increase in violence. In response, the apartheid regime declared a State of Emergency in 1985, granting the police and army unlimited power to arrest, interrogate, and detain anti-apartheid activists.
