Theme 1: c1948-59 Flashcards
How did WWII help the National Party win the 1948 election?
Stimulated economic growth that led to black migration. 1946 - more blacks than whites in urban areas for first time.
Demand slumped after WWII led to competition between blacks and whites for jobs
Smuts was blamed for this and backing Britain in the war that lost him votes
How did Afrikaner Nationalism help The National Party win the 1948 election?
It grew in 1930s-40s due to discontent with dominance of pro-British United Party.
Held celebrations in 1938 of the Battle of Blood River and unveiling of the Voortrekker monument.
Was catalysed by WWII due to disapointment of allying with the British over Nazis
How did the electoral system help the National Party win the 1948 election?
Rural constituencies, where more NP voters lived, had more MPs than urban areas, where UP voters lived.
White South Africans voted for UP more than NP. Only 37% of voters voted for apartheid. UP had more votes, NP had more seats due to first past the post.
Segregation before 1948 facts
- Native Urban Areas Act 1923: segregated areas of towns called townships where Afrians had to live - 1950 Group Areas Act: cleaned these areas out with 3.5 mil black people forced from homes between 1951-86. Lead to Bantu Authorities Act of 1951 that seperated the development of races into self governing tribal nations in rural areas (also links with 1934 Native Economic Comission
stating blacks suited to rural life) - Ubran Areas Native Pass Act of 1909: African workers given pass to be in cities for 6 days to find work. If successful kept pass, if not return to native area - like the Pass Laws which legislated movement between racially seperated areas. Designed to protect white workers from cheap black migrant labour to urban areas. Every adult had one and in 1952 - 164,000 convictions for disobedience regarding them and by 1962 this figure was 384,000.
New forms of segregarion after 1948
1950 Population Registration Act: everyone classified into 4 races (white, coloured, Indian or Bantu - black African). Bizarre tests used to categorise (eyelid colour or pencil in hair to see if it falls out). Public National Register of race created and rights were based on race
ANC protests in the 1950s that didn’t improve lives of supporters
- Freedom Charter 1955 written Congress Alliance claimed “South Africa belongs to those who live in it, black or white…”. Led to 156 arrests on the 5th December 1956 accusing them of treason. ‘Treason trial’ went on for 5 years before acquital in 1961
- Defiance campaign of 1951 led by Mandela. Protestors willing arrested in Khaki uniforms. Youth violence in East London resulted in arson and 2 whites killed. 4,000 to 100,000 members. Resulted in 8000 arrests, creating fear of public meetings/assembly + mass protest. 1953 - public safety emergency act gave government poter to delcare state of emergency for up to 12 months.
ANC protests in 1950s that did improve lives of supporters
1957 Zeerust uprising against women’s passes. Chief refused to enforce these laws so was dismissed. However, only short term as special police squad enforced
New ANC tactics in 1950s
- Creation of Youth League 1949. In 1950 Defiance campaign caused arson and killed 2 whites. Shift from peaceful to violent
- ANC Women’s League formed 1948, expanded in 1950s. 1955 - women’s protest (signatures + 20,000 marched in Pretoria) 1957 - protest outside pass office in Johannesburg agaisnt forced removals in Cato Manor and Durban
What did the Bantu Education Act of 1953 do to improve the economy?
Government controlled education + reomoved elite mission schools which had given some blacks high levels of education. Used to create black unskilled workforce with basic literacy skills to work in factories, shops or as construction workers. H.F. Verwoed was the key architect.
How did the the 1959 extension of University Education Act promote segregation?
Banned mixed unis. Theorised that both races would be better off seperate as Africans supposedly rural, tribal people, incapable of equality and loyal to their traditions over race.
How did the Bantu Education Act of 1953 improve government control?
Black schools were under government control (no mission schools). Dealt with Tsotsis (gangs) and controlled ciriculm, making it difficult for blacks - prepared for life in homelands not cities.
How was the 1950s group areas act successful for the government?
Achieved aim of seperate development and only temporary work/migration for blacks to avoid threat to white labour. It removed black townships from urban migration - 3.5mil forced from homes between 1951-86. Sophiatown bulldozed in 1950, affecting 60,000 wealthy blacks. Blacks lost property rights in white areas (unless they had government permission).
Why were the 1952 Pass Laws a failure for the govermnment?
Intended to legislate movement between racial areas. Instead become a form of protest for oppostion and failed as the urban black population increased from 1.8mil in 1946 to 3.5mil in 1960 (more than white population)
Why was the Bantu Education Act of 1953 successful for government?
Removed mission schools, black curriculm under government control with sperate courses to whites. Mixed unis also banned in 1959. Achieved segregation but was a hub for opposition.
