History 144 L2: Resisting a White Union

What was the South African Native Congress (SANC)?

An Africanist, exclusive organisation; published Izwi Labantu; aimed campaigns at the British

Who criticised SANC’s exclusivity?

John Tengu Jabavu, founder of Imvo Zabantsundu

What did Jabavu encourage?

African urban communities in the Eastern Cape to register as voters

What was Imvo Zabantsundu?

The first black-owned and controlled newspaper in South Africa

What was the Bambatha Rebellion (1906)?

Chief Bambatha resisted a poll tax; led attacks from Nkandla forest; crushed by colonial forces, hundreds killed

Why were taxes imposed?

To force Africans into migrant labour

Why did black political organising intensify before Union?

Union plans excluded African political rights

What did the APO delegation do in 1906?

Went to London to argue for extending Cape’s liberal franchise nationwide

What is APO?

The African People's Organization was a political party founded in South Africa in 1902 by Dr. Abdullah Abdurahman

How did Britain respond to the APO delegation?

Ignored demands, prioritised appeasing Afrikaners

What did the South Africa Act (1909) state?

Blacks in Natal, OFS, Transvaal excluded from franchise; Cape retained property‑based franchise

How did African leaders respond to the South Africa Act?

Formed the South African Native Convention; sent delegations to London protesting exclusion

Name key early African leaders.

Dube, Jabavu, Maxeke, Plaatje, Rubusana, Seme

What shaped key early African leaders outlook?

Mission schools, Protestant Christianity, belief in peaceful protest and British fairness

What shaped coloured identity in early 20th century?

Cape census categories, School Board Act (1905), exclusion after Anglo‑Boer War

What was APO’s role?

Defended coloured rights, later allied with African organisations, sent delegations to London

What advantages did coloureds have over Africans?

Exempt from passes, influx control, some segregation laws

What were the two phases of Indian migration?

Indentured workers and “Passenger Indians” (business elite)

Which organisations represented Indians?

South African Indian Congress, Natal Indian Congress

What law provoked Indian resistance?

Asiatic Registration Act (restricted Indian movement)

Who led resistance?

Gandhi, using non‑violent resistance

What happened in 1906–1909?

Mass defiance campaigns, burning of documents, Gandhi jailed multiple times