T1 M9 The Impact of the Black Consciousness Movement Flashcards
Who was the president of the ANC in the early 1960s?
Albert Luthuli
What is Black Consciousness, and who introduced this philosophy in South Africa?
Black Consciousness is a philosophy introduced by Steve Biko in 1968. It advocates black self-respect and confidence to free black South Africans from the mindset of white superiority and black inferiority.
What were the core principles promoted by Black Consciousness, and what did it encourage black people to do?
Black Consciousness encouraged black people to take pride in their culture, history, and identity. It aimed to free black people psychologically from an oppressive and racist system to empower them to physically overthrow apartheid.
What was the role of the South African Students’ Organisation (SASO) in the Black Consciousness movement?
SASO, founded in 1968, played a vital role in spreading Black Consciousness ideas and conscientising black communities. It aimed to instill self-confidence and self-pride in black individuals to effectively resist white rule.
What were some of the achievements and impact of SASO in the South African liberation struggle?
SASO played a significant role in promoting black unity, making students more politically aware, and encouraging them to liberate themselves from apartheid. It produced a new generation of youth leaders equipped to challenge the apartheid system.
What was the main aim of the South African Students’ Organisation (SASO), and who was its founder and first president?
The main aim of SASO was to raise black consciousness among students and black communities. Steve Biko was the founder and first president of SASO in 1969.
How did the BCM view foreign investment, and what action did they take in relation to foreign investment?
The BCM believed that foreign investment sustained apartheid and openly supported disinvestment campaigns overseas to oppose the apartheid regime.
What was the purpose of the Black People’s Convention (BPC), and how did it relate to the BCM?
The BPC was formed in 1972 by SASO to serve as a national black political movement and an umbrella body for the BCM. It aimed to coordinate activities and involve adults in the BCM’s efforts.
What is black communalism?
Black communalism as an economic policy was based on the principle of sharing, and emphasised communal ownership of property and wealth.
How did the apartheid government respond to the perceived threat posed by the BCM and Black Consciousness?
The government reacted by banning BC leaders from speaking in public, detaining activists under the Terrorism Act, banning SASO on university campuses, and resorting to brutal tactics against activists, including the murder of Steve Biko.
What were the circumstances surrounding the arrest, detention, and subsequent treatment of Steve Biko in September 1977?
Steve Biko was arrested in August 1977, detained in Port Elizabeth, physically abused during interrogation, and left in his cell for 24 hours. Despite evident signs of neurological damage, he was not properly diagnosed, and authorities decided to send him to Pretoria, 1,100 kilometers away, without medical records.
How did Steve Biko die, and what was the official cause of his death?
Steve Biko died as a result of head injuries from torture. The official cause of death given by the government was a hunger strike.
How was Black Consciousness in line with ‘separate development’?
At first, the South African Government was not concerned about the Black Consciousness Movement as it seemed in line with its own policy of separate development. Apartheid philosophy believed in racial segregation so the formation of SASO, a union for black students only, seemed in accordance with the apartheid theories of ‘own affairs.’
What were some of the major grievances that learners in Soweto had regarding their education?
Learners in Soweto were dissatisfied with the severe inequality in education funding, overcrowded classrooms, limited curriculum, and the introduction of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction in their schools.
What was the event that triggered the Soweto Uprising on June 16, 1976?
The trigger for the Soweto Uprising was the introduction of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction in black schools in the southern Transvaal region in 1975, particularly for subjects like Mathematics, Geography, Physical Science, and Biology.
