The Origins of Apartheid

Basis and justification for the system Based on the assumption that the races are essentially different and therefore there must be a natural hierarchy because some groups possess biological traits that make them inherently superior. Apartheid envisioned fundamental racial inequalities reflected in government policy designed to promote White interests and keep races separate. Similar to social Darwinist philosophies such as Nazism. Different in how it sought justification for apartheid in Calvinist scripture and reasoning (as well as through science).

Religious justification based in Calvinism God created the different races and therefore they should remain separate. Trekboers (Afrikaners)lived on the colonial frontier isolated from modern intellectual currents Led to Old Testament world view connecting their experience to those of the Israelites. Slavery was part of everyday life, therefore racial inequality was taken for granted. Growing animosity after clashes with Xhosa kingdoms. After the British abolished slavery in 1833, the Great Trek became equated with seeking their “promised land” Coincidentally, the depopulated land to which they moved reinforced a sense of divine deliverance.

The Battle of Blood River affirmed that they were “God’s chosen people Following the battle, they made a covenant with God which would allow them to triumph over their enemies—they vowed to bring civilization to Africa in return for God’s favor and protection. What followed—establishment of two Boer republics, struggle against the British, establishment of the Union of South Africa, introduction of the segregationist system by Smuts and Herzog (both Afrikaners), and the victory of the Nationalist Party in 1948—can be interpreted as gradual achievement of Afrikaner destiny.

Alternative view Argues that origins of racism and segregation in South Africa is found in the character of the early British rule in the Cape rather than Calvinist mentality of the Afrikaners. Attitudes of the newly settled British became increasingly racist as contact with the Xhosa increased and Africans traveled to farms and cities in search of work.

Segregation in early practice (in British colony) The 1853 constitution uses “civilized” and “uncivilized” Without specific references to racial identity but clearly understood by the population Punitive laws for the “uncivilized” (i.e. the Xhosa) included requirements to carry passes used to regulate movement of Black people and prevent them from leaving their jobs. **early connection between segregationist laws and economics Residential segregation—curfews for Blacks, 1901 legal residential segregation with Blacks-only townships away from city centers.

Post South African War Despite economic devastation as a result of the war, reconciliation between the two White populations (British and Afrikaners) moved remarkable fast. Why? Recognition by all parties that economic development of the region as dependent on political unity. Growth could only be promoted through economic and infrastructural planning on a national level and through the rigorous and systematic implementation of a segregationist system.

The system of Segregation pre-1948 Mines and Workers Act 1911 Reserved all semi-skilled jobs in mining for Whites Natives Land Act 1913 Prohibited Africans from owning or renting land outside certain areas designated as native reserves. Reserves made up roughly 7.5% of the land for 2/3 of the population Later extended to 13% of land but this was never achieved in practice This land was economically marginal at best and was soon overcrowded Africans could live outside the reserves only if they were employed by Whites Natives (Urban Areas) Act 1923 Cities were principally for Whites and Africans living there had to carry passes Caught without a pass meant arrest and expulsion to the reserves Industrial Conciliation Act 1924 Whites but not Blacks could form and join trade unions

Further legislation through 1920’s and 30’s continued to restrict rights of Africans but also created tension between political parties with the onset of the Great Depression and WWII. Afrikaner nationalism increased Working class whites upset by UP’s inability to deliver better standards of living for all Whites demanded more radical racial discrimination.

African Mine Workers’ Union Formed in defiance of the law, organized a strike of nearly 100,000 gold miners in 1946. It was defeated when police intervened and killed nine protesters but alerted the government to the urgency of the labor situation/tensions.

Response Smuts and the UP respond in accordance to the Fagan Commission Fagan Commission: concluded the tide of African urbanization was irreversible and in the best economic interest to partially normalize the status of Blacks in cities. Basis of UP policies headed in to 1948 election Heightened racial anxieties of many White voters NP reacted with Sauer Commission: concluded that the survival of the White race in SA was dependent on the preservation of an exclusively White identity only achieved through policies designed to reverse Black urbanization and engineer complete separation of the races.

1948 Election The NP, lead by Malan, articulated a clear vision while using the slogans “black peril” and “red peril” Attracted the attention of White cities overwhelmed by migrant Black workers and civilized Afrikaners who felt threatened by what they considered godless, revolutionary communism. The NP wins