total onslaught total strategy Flashcards
What was total onslaught total strategy
The belief that white South Africans were under attack from external and internal attacks and that these attacks had to be met with equally massive counter attack led by the government
What prompted it
South Africa had erupted into riots, demonstrations and violence from within along with increasing pressure from outside nations.
State Security Council
Set up in 1982 as a parallel government including army generals and police chiefs.
Country was divided into security units in an attempt to combat resistance
Armed forces
By 1981 South African Defense Force (SADF) numbered over 250,000.
2 years of military service became compulsory for all white south african males in an attempt to strengthen military to comabt resistance.
Arms Industry and military spending
South African Arms industry (ARMSCOR) founded (made guns, tanks etc) in orer to ensure military was well equipped.
Military spending. rose from 700 million rand in 1972 to 3 billion rand in 1981, SA becoming a major military power.
WHAM
Looked at fixing issues within south africa.
It’s aims were to create ‘ a black middle class’ through lifting some restrictions on them in attempt to better economy.
WHAM (trade unions)
1979 Wiehalm report legalised trade unions for black workers.
Education
1981 Lange report recommended a single education system for blacks and whites.
Increased funding was given to black education, with spending tripling in 1980.
Urban Areas
Reikert report 1979 enabled black south africans to move more freely and to buy houses in townships.
end of ‘Petty aparthied’
Colour bar was relaxed (more jobs etc accessible to black people)
Mixed marriages act was repealed
Some desegregation of parks, shops etc
Pass laws relaxed and then abolished in 1986
Political reform
1983 new constitution with tricameral parliament resulted in:
Coloureds and indians able to vote for their own representatives in seperate chambers of parliament. (178 white MPs, 85 Coloured, and 45 indian)
Cabinet composed of representatives from all three in same proportions
Relations with western leaders
Botha played on western leaders of communist threat.
He had great success with Margaret Thatcher and Ronal Reagan who resisted pressure for sanctions from UN.
Commonwealth and much of the world looked to leave SA alone.
Frontline States
Angola: Botha looked to back anti-government guerilla movement and raided MK bases
Mozambique: Botha set up anti-government force triggering a civil war. 1984 agreement to withdraw as long as Mozambique stopped support for ANC.
‘The Dirty War’: ANC leaders assassinated, including parcel bomb murder of Ruth First in Mozambique 1982.
