Ohio Learning Standard #21 Postwar global politics leads to rise of nationalist movements in Africa
Multi-Ethnic Society *Wide variety of cultures, languages, & religions* Constitution recognizes 11 official languages 2 of these are of European: English & Afrikaans English is commonly used in public & business
Rainbow Nation *Unique multi-cultural character* 80% of South Africa is of black African ancestry divided among variety of ethnic groups (Bantu) Integral to its national identity (World Cup)
Conflicts arose as Europeans took interest in valuable ports & resources
Including Gold, Diamonds, and Copper
Republic of South Africa *Located at southern tip of Africa*
Following Boer Wars British Parliament passed South Africa Act 1909 granting independence & creating South Africa Also passed Natives' Land Act restricting the ownership of land by blacks to only 7% of nation
Similar to Reservations * Deprived of citizenship * Assigned a “homeland” * Supposed autonomous - called Bantustans
National Party in control *Combination of British & Dutch interests* Strengthened racial segregation already in place Classified all peoples into race groupings and developed rights & limitations (where could live, work, travel, etc…) for each grouping White minority (10%) maintains control of the much larger black majority (85%)
To maintain control & get Africans to work in mines & on farms – whites had townships for Blacks to live = Apartheid
Apartheid - legally institutionalized Segregation Blatant racial policies that oppressed civil rights White (Afrikaners) enjoyed highest standard of living - compared to most Western nations … even in Britain or the USA Black majority remain disadvantaged including: income, education, housing, & life expectancy
Townships Apartheid = Afrikaans word meaning apartness Residential areas segregated on basis of race - 3.5 mil Black Africans were removed from homes & forced into segregation
Similar to Segregation in USA * Education, medical care, markets, restaurants, and all public services - divided by Race * Services for Blacks were - far inferior to whites
1960s Apartheid – like Segregation in USA became increasingly controversial - Some Western nations began to boycott doing business with South Africa However … South Africa’s government passes Suppression of Communism Act - banning any party linked to Communism
Resistance Movements African National Congress (ANC) formed to resist - leaders proposed that white authority could only be overthrown thru mass, public campaigns *Nelson Mandela & Bishop Desmond Tutu Program of Action = planned civil disobedience - series of popular protests, strikes, & uprisings - Sharpeville …
Banning Anyone who opposed government policy risked being labelled as Communist (threat to Society) Met with banning opposition & imprisoning of anti-apartheid leaders
Militarization Protests/Strikes spread & became more effective State organizations (Police & National Guard) respond with repression (smack down) & violence
Black Consciousness Anti-Apartheid activist movement emerging in South Africa after jailings/bannings of ANC and Pan Africanist Congress leadership (Sharpeville) Movement for political consciousness (awareness) - Rooted in Christianity (Anglican Church) - lead of Bishops Robert Taylor & Desmond Tutu
Leadership of Steven Biko Empowerment & Mobilization - Young people & Urban Non-violent Civil Disobedience - mass demonstrations - Soweto Student Slogan: “Black is Beautiful”
Fall of 1989 *same year as Fall of Berlin Wall* National Party (Apartheid) leader Botha suffers stroke & has to step down as President - Replaced by more conservative F.W. de Klerk Debate legalizing opposition political parties – including ANC and possibility of freeing prisoners including Mandela
Spring, 1994 ANC candidate Mandela wins over-whelming (62%) victory in national elections = new President despite SA Press campaigning against Enacts Reconstruction & Development Program - build million houses in five years - introduce universal free education - extend access to water & electricity
Mandela’s Presidency Works to establish a multicultural democracy - Constitution NOT favoring Majority Rule Reconciliation as primary job - “Rainbow Nation” - Truth & Reconciliation Commission Reassure South Africa's white population they’re protected (economy) & represented (government)
Rainbow Nation Broad coalitions in Gov – including former National Party officials as Cabinet Members Land Restitution & Skills Development Acts Encouraged black South Africans to join & support national rugby team (Springboks) South Africa hosted 1995 Rugby World Cup