SOUTH AFRICAN CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENTNathan B. Gilson

Southwest Middle School

EARLY IMPERIAL INFLUENCES

Initially, South Africa was a vital stop on the trade routes to India due to its position at the southern tip of Africa

Early Imperialistic countries to establish colonies were predominantly Dutch (Netherlands)

Later the British began to push out the Dutch, exploiting their superior imperial power.

BRITISH POWER CONSOLIDATED

Through a series of wars with the Zulu Kingdom in the late 1800’s, Britain established dominance over the indigenous people

Shortly after, Britain discovered gold in the region, which led to massive migration of British citizens into the area.

At its height of production, 2/3 of all British gold came from South Africa

Boer Wars between British and Dutch resulted in total British dominance of the colony by the early 1900’s.

SOUTH AFRICA ETHNICAL DIVERSITY

South Africa is a combination of many different ethnic groups British (Imperial rule beginning around 1800)

Dutch or Boers (Imperial rule beginning in 1600’s)

Zulu (predominant indigenous group)

Indians (Imported as cheap labor in the 19th and 20th centuries)

Slave groups (imported from East Africa, Madagascar, and West Africa)

VIOLENCE AND REVOLTS

Even once Britain established control over South Africa, revolts continued to be common.

During WW1, significant groups refused to fight Germany, and many revolted.

During the fight against the apartheid government, many South Africans continued to resort to violence to try to end the repressive government.

Violence and crime continue to be very high in South Africa today.

APARTHEID

Apartheid (apar-tide) became the official policy of the government of S. Africa in 1948 Afrikaans (combination of indigenous and Dutch languages) word meaning “apartness”

Many laws had been in place much longer, and were absorbed into the apartheid government The Dutch in particular were very racialist throughout their colonial rule and had enforced strict

segregation throughout their time in control of S. Africa.

Organized all citizens into “homelands”, restricted movement between homelands without proper documentation, enforced strict segregation of public places, restricted land ownership and rights of all black citizens, and eventually took away all voting rights of black South Africans.

RISE OF THE ANC

The African National Congress (ANC) began to be a locally elected representative body which represented the black majority within the country

Did not have actual political power, but was appointed as a voice of the black majority within the country.

Nelson Mandela became a prominent leader (and for a time president) of the ANC

In connection with the ANC, Mandela always argued for civil disobedience and non-violence, in accordance with the teachings of Gandhi.

MANDELA RESORTS TO VIOLENCE

Throughout his leadership, Mandela began to become convinced that non-violence could not work against a government that met non-violent protests with violent police brutality.

Mandela began to organize with other groups to commit acts of sabotage against the government, hoping that by destroying government buildings, they would take peaceful options more seriously.

Mandela never encouraged anyone within the ANC to participate in violent acts

Mandela also instituted as a policy that great lengths should be taken to ensure that no people are harmed as a result of the acts of sabotage

27 YEARS

Mandela is caught by the government, and sentenced to life in prison for his participation in acts of terrorism and sedition against the government

Continues work to fight against apartheid government while in prison, but becomes very concerned over growing violence toward citizens.

Many fellow prisoners are too radical, and Mandela is disheartened by their lack of desire to even attempt peaceful negotiations.

Finally, after 27 years of imprisonment, international sanctions against the apartheid government and political pressure result in Mandela’s release in 1991.

END OF APARTHEID

Apartheid ended officially in 1994, when all citizens were granted the right to vote

Mandela voted as the first black president of South Africa This is a big deal because 85% of the country is black, so it demonstrates

how effectively the white minority kept the majority voice silenced in the nation.

Mandela focused on two primary issues during his presidency and subsequent public life:

Ensuring the end of all racism and cooperation of all ethnic groups

Working to end or reduce the impact of poverty (especially against black citizens) through the implementation of socialist policies

Government would pay for many programs to improve lives of the poor.

MANDELA’S RETIREMENT

Even after retiring from public life, Mandela continued to be an important political figure in the international world

Won a Nobel Peace Prize

Founded and Sponsored the Mandela Children’s Foundation

Large influence in getting South Africa to be the host nation of the 2010 World Cup

After release from prison, Mandela strongly believed that sports had an enormous opportunity to influence and heal the racial divides in the nation.

SOUTH AFRICA TODAY

South Africa continues to be a country with much higher than average crime rates compared with other nations

South Africa experiences about 50 murders per day

1/3 women in a recent survey said they had been raped in the last year. 25% of all men surveyed admitted to raping somebody.

Car thefts are so common in some areas that there are street signs warning against it.

Many middle class families have homes and businesses surrounded by concrete reinforced walls 10 feet high with barbed wire on top.

Standard of living between black and white citizens continues to be very different and unequal.