Understanding the Question
Define Emergence
Examine the significance of leaders in the emergence of two democratic states, each chosen from a different region.
Examine the significance of leaders in the emergence of two democratic states, each chosen from a different region.
Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, and the leadership of the African National Congress played a signficant role in the emergence of democracy in South Africa.
Townships
townships were racially segregated residential areas created by the government to confine non-white populations, such as Black, Coloured, and Indian people, on the outskirts of White-controlled cities and towns. These areas were characterized by poor infrastructure and limited economic opportunities, serving the apartheid system's goal of maintaining white supremacy and controlling cheap labor by enforcing separation and preventing non-whites from living in designated "white" areas
Role of Parties and Leaders (Be able to name and describe 3-5 different leaders/organizations)
Nelson Mandela - Desmond Tutu - Oliver Tambo - Steve Biko - African National Congress - MK - F.W. De Klerk, National Party, Inkatha Freedom Party, Pan Africanist Congress (PAC), etc.
Role of Violence (MK) vs Role of Non-Violent (Protests/ANC)
Define Development of Democracy
“The development of democracy led to significant social reform.” Discuss with reference to two democratic states.
“The development of democracy led to significant social reform.” Discuss with reference to two democratic states.
To an extent, the development of democracy led to significant social reform in South Africa.
African National Congress
The African National Congress (ANC) was the leading political organization that opposed apartheid, a system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination in South Africa. Formed in 1912, the ANC led the struggle against apartheid through mass resistance, international mobilization, and an armed struggle after 1960, culminating in the 1994 democratic elections and the establishment of a non-racial society. The ANC, with Nelson Mandela as its iconic leader, then transitioned from a liberation movement to the governing party of post-apartheid South Africa.
Government of National Unity (What was it? What impact did it have? Why did it matter?
The Government of National Unity was made up of leadership from the African National Congress, the Inkatha Freedom Party, and the National Party. The idea was the help transform South Africa from an apartheid state to a democracy. It helped the transition to be more peaceful.
Suffrage Movements
“Greater equality in democratic states was the result of pressure from suffrage movements.” Discuss with reference to two democratic states, each from a different region.
“Greater equality in democratic states was the result of pressure from suffrage movements.” Discuss with reference to two democratic states, each from a different region.
Although international pressures and economic sanctions helped South Africa move towards democracy, greater equality in South Africa came as a result of pressure from suffrage movements.
Sharpesville Massacre
The Sharpeville Massacre was a pivotal event in the anti-apartheid struggle, where South African police opened fire on a crowd protesting discriminatory pass laws on March 21, 1960, resulting in many deaths and injuries. This brutal crackdown, carried out by the apartheid government, highlighted the harsh realities of the system and intensified international condemnation, pushing the anti-apartheid movement into a new phase and leading to the banning of opposition organizations.
Constitution (What is a Constitution? Why did the new Constitution matter? What was it based on? What impact did it have on people?)
A Constitution is the basis of laws for a country. The new Constitution was important because it provided social, economic, and political liberties for all South Africans. It was based on the Freedom Charter from during the times of apartheid - multiple groups came together to write it. It was written by the people, thousands of people submitted items to help write the Constitution and it had specific protections for the people.
Xenophobia
Post-apartheid xenophobia in South Africa primarily involves hostility and violence directed at foreign nationals, particularly from other African countries, driven by complex factors including the legacy of apartheid-era inequality, competition for scarce socio-economic resources like jobs and housing, unfulfilled promises of the democratic transition, and a perception of immigrants as threats to local livelihoods and identity. This "new racism" manifests as discrimination, prejudice, and violent attacks, often exacerbated by official rhetoric and perceptions of immigrants as social deviants.
Define Domestic Crises
a domestic upheaval, like violence or unrest, that has escalated to the point of creating an international crisis by generating perceptions of a basic value threat, time pressure, and a heightened probability of war between or among sovereign states.
Evaluate the impact of domestic crises on the development of two democratic states.
Domestic crises in South Africa had a significant impact on the development of two democratic states.
Rivonia Trial
The Rivonia Trial was a pivotal court case from 1963-1964 where leaders of the African National Congress (ANC) and its armed wing, including Nelson Mandela, were charged with sabotage and high treason under the apartheid government of South Africa. The trial stemmed from the regime's discovery of the ANC's secret operations at Lilliesleaf farm in Rivonia, which included plans for violent revolution to overthrow apartheid. The proceedings ultimately led to the defendants being sentenced to life imprisonment, though international campaigns prevented the death penalty and drew global attention to the harshness of apartheid policies that denied peaceful protest.
Political Parties (ANC, IFP, NP, SACP, etc.)
African National Congress was a social movement organization that ultimately became the first elected organization of South Africa - leaders of the ANC include members such as Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo, Desmond Tutu.
Inkatha Freedom Party was a originally a Zulu cultural organization but became a political party that promoted distinct Zulu nationalism - there was a fierce rivalry between the Inkatha and ANC = violence
National Party was the political party that came into power in 1948 and implemented the apartheid system (institutionalized racism) and ultimately gave up power in 1994 - important leadership includes F.W. de Klerk who helped the transition to a democratic state and received a Nobel Peace Prize with Mandela.
South African Communist Party worked hand in hand with the ANC to bring democracy to South Africa. The SACP was also focused on economic changes and not just political - many leadership of the SACP was also a part of the ANC - this connection allowed the SA to believe they could utilize any means necessary to shut them down.
Political Extremism and Violence
Pre-1994, political extremism had been a regular feature of SA politics and politically motivated violence reached alarming levels. After 1994, political extremism diminished.
- former guerrilla fighters became members of a new national defence force
- many far-right Afrikaners were not prepared to accept the change - they used violent attacks, but they were convicted and given long prison sentences
- PAGAD - vigilante group targeted gang leaders, police stations, synagogues, gay night clubs, and Western-associated restaurants
Violence remained a mjaor issue the amount of weapons like AK-47s continue to plague the country. Though not politically motivated, crime was not addequately addressed - loss of expertise in the criminal justice system - breakdown of family structures - "gangsterism = men"
Maintenance of Democracy
“The maintenance of democracy was dependent on freedom of expression in the arts and media.” Discuss with reference to two democratic states, each from a different region.
Evaluate the impact of democracy on social problems in two democratic states.
Although democracy did have a positive impact on the lives of the South African people, ultimately many social problems continued to exist.
Defiance Campaign
The Defiance Campaign (1952-1953) was a pivotal, large-scale, non-violent protest against South Africa's apartheid laws, jointly led by the African National Congress (ANC) and the South African Indian Congress (SAIC). Thousands of volunteers courted arrest by peacefully breaking segregationist and other oppressive laws, demonstrating the power of mass civil disobedience and ultimately transforming the anti-apartheid movement into a more organized, effective force.
Process of Change (How did it happen? Why did it happen? What were the internal and external factors that led to the change? Was it peaceful?)
Land Reform
one key factor responsible for high levels of inequality was land ownership and most people expected the government to address it asap - best land was owned by white commerical farmers since the 1800s- apartheid legislation had made it worse by forcibly removing people from their lands and houses - In 2003 only 16% owned land that could grow - the new government attempted to fix the issues using redistribution and resitution and they hoped within 5 years 30% would be owend by black farmers - more rural claims were harder to settle - 30% was not achieved and really in 5 years only 2% had been redistributed. Many historians are surprised that the government didn't take a bigger step in redistributing the lands and worry this would be the basis of future problems.
pg. 274
What were the issues pre-1994?
What did the new SA gov to try and fix the issue?
To what extent were the policies successful?
Establishment of Democracy
refers to the historical process and ongoing evolution of creating and sustaining a system of government where power is held by the people, either directly or through freely elected representatives, characterized by free and fair elections, the rule of law, protection of fundamental human rights, and institutions that ensure accountable and responsive governance.
Separation of Amenities
"Separation of Amenities" refers to the discriminatory racial segregation of public facilities and services, a core component of South Africa's apartheid system. Enacted through the Reservation of Separate Amenities Act of 1953, it legally mandated separate, and unequal, facilities for different racial groups for things like bathrooms, parks, transport, beaches, and cinemas, with non-white facilities being inferior. This highly visible and demeaning form of apartheid was largely abolished in South Africa by 1990, though the legacy of this segregation continues to influence the country.
Struggle for Democratic Rights (Describe the struggle. List significant leaders/organizations. List significant events. Etc.
ANC - MK - PAC - POQO - NP - Nelson Mandela - F.W. de Klerk - Sharpesville Massacre - Soweto Uprising - Defiance Campaign
Equality and equity
Post-apartheid South Africa has pursued an equity-based approach to dismantle the systemic discrimination and inequality inherited from apartheid, focusing on substantive equality by providing resources and opportunities to historically disadvantaged groups, particularly Black South Africans. While formal legal equality was achieved in 1994, significant economic and social inequalities persist, requiring ongoing policy interventions like affirmative action and Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) to address imbalances in areas like education, healthcare, and the workplace.
Policies to address the distribution of wealth
pg. 269
What were the issues pre-1994?
What did the new SA gov to try and fix the issue?
To what extent were the policies successful?
Challenges, Crisis, and Protests
describe obstacles, moments of instability, and public expressions of discontent.
National Party
The National Party in South Africa was responsible for implementing and maintaining apartheid, a system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination, after coming to power in 1948. Founded in 1914 to defend the interests of Afrikaners, the conservative party won the 1948 election on a platform that promoted Afrikaner nationalism and racial separation. The apartheid laws enforced strict segregation between racial groups—White, Coloured, Indian, and Black—and involved widespread human rights abuses, culminating in mass protests and international condemnation that ultimately led to the system's end in the early 1990s.
South Africa has a rich history of activism, including anti-apartheid protests in the 50s and the 80s. CSOs were weakened after many leaders joined the ANC government. Some CSOs continued to play an important role in defending rights
Antiretroviral medication - forced the government to provide the meidcation to HIV infected people - National Land Committee criticized the slow pace of land reform and the Landless People's Project focused on the rights of farm workers and the need for more ambitious land reform policies
Policies to reduce unemployment
pg. 271
What were the issues pre-1994?
What did the new SA gov to try and fix the issue?
To what extent were the policies successful?
Impact of Democracy
multifaceted, primarily promoting human rights, political equality, and economic development by empowering citizens through free and fair elections and accountability to leaders. Democracies also foster societal cohesion, peace, and global security by providing transparency and requiring peaceful resolution of conflicts, though challenges like democratic decline can occur.
Pass Laws
Under the apartheid system in South Africa, pass laws enforced racial segregation and controlled the movement of Black people by requiring them to carry a passbook, a document containing personal information, employment details, and permissions to enter specific areas. Failure to carry a valid passbook could result in arrest, and these laws severely limited where Black South Africans could live and work, creating constant harassment and contributing to widespread social unrest and the anti-apartheid struggle. The pass laws were an essential tool of apartheid, maintaining a cheap labor force and segregating the population until their repeal in 1986.
Policies to promote Nation-Building
new national symbols - new national anthem - new flag, new public holidays, name changes were made to towns, airports, etc. - monuments to figures and events were removed from the public view - put up new monuments
Policies to extend social welfare
pg. 272
What were the issues pre-1994?
What did the new SA gov to try and fix the issue?
To what extent were the policies successful?
Bantu Education Act
The Bantu Education Act of 1953 was a South African segregation law under apartheid that mandated racially separated education, underfunded black education, and created a limited, vocational curriculum to train black South Africans for unskilled labor. The Act consolidated control of black education under the central government, severing ties with missionary schools and enforcing a substandard system designed to deny opportunities for upward mobility and reinforce the white minority's dominance.
Ethnicity
Ethnic diversity was one of the biggest challenges facing the new nation. When the white minority handed over power to the black majority, institutionalized racism was a thing of the past, but the need to change existing attitudes and prejudices on race remained a huge challenge.
Mandela went out of his way to focus on reconciliation and to try and allay white fears, but many felt like Mandela devoted more effort to calming white fears than to addressing black grievances. Especially because many whites did not reciprocate the gestures of goodwill.
Race was also used by some ANC leadership to shield against criticism. Thus white critics of the government could be accused of being racist and opposed to transformation, and their criticisms ignored.
pg. 273
What were the issues pre-1994?
What did the new SA gov to try and fix the issue?
To what extent were the policies successful?
Bantustan System
The bantustan system was a core part of the apartheid regime in South Africa, serving to divide and control the Black population by creating ethnically defined "homelands" or Bantustans. Black South Africans were stripped of their citizenship and forced into these fragmented territories, even if they had never lived in them, effectively segregating them and legitimizing the apartheid system. While the government promoted them as self-governing states, they were a "divide and rule" tactic to diminish Black political power and were largely unrecognized by the international community.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)
led by Archbishop Desmond Tutu - "restorative justice" vs "retributive justice" - aim was to investigate politically motivated violations of human rights during apartheid - uncover the truth to bring about national reconciliation - more than 22,000 shared their experiences - not just the apartheid government - but also the liberation movement - had the power to grant amnesty - only 1,167 out of 7,116 were granted
whites tried to ignore it or call it a witch-hunt where as Blacks believed there had not been justice and too many murderers walked free - many victims received little compensation because the government could not afford it
Policies affecting minorities
pg. 277
What were the issues pre-1994?
What did the new SA gov to try and fix the issue?
To what extent were the policies successful?