History 144 L12: Apartheid and Resistance: The turbulent 1970s

What major event took place in Durban in 1972?

Black dockworkers went on strike

Why did the strikes begin?

Low wages

Which province was most affected by the 1973 strikes?

Natal

Which sectors joined the strikes?

Textiles, bricks, trucking, municipal workers

What issue besides wages was raised?

Pass laws

What developed after the strikes?

New trade unions

Why were the Durban strikes significant?

First major protest since Sharpeville

What kind of activism emerged from them?

Politicized trade unionism

Who mainly provided African education before apartheid?

Mission schools

What was the main African university?

Fort Hare

Who controlled African education after apartheid policies were introduced?

The state

What Act placed education under state control?

Bantu Education Act

What was the aim of Bantu education?

Train Africans for labour

What level of education was prioritised?

Primary education

Where could Africans access higher-quality education?

Homeland schools

What were homeland schools like?

Overcrowded and underfunded

Where did Black Consciousness emerge?

Universities

What organisation dominated student politics after 1960?

NUSAS

What does NUSAS stand for?

 National Union of South African Students

Why did black students criticise NUSAS?

White leadership dominated it

What happened at the 1967 Rhodes conference?

Segregated accommodation was enforced

Who objected to segregation?

Steve Biko

Where was Biko studying?

University of Natal

What political movement influenced Biko?

 Pan-Africanism

Who was Archie Mafeje?

Black academic blocked from UCT

What happened to Mafeje's appointment?

The government stopped it

What organisation was formed in 1968?

SASO

What does SASO stand for?

South African Students' Organisation

Why was SASO formed?

To promote Black Consciousness

Who was excluded from SASO membership?

Whites

Who did SASO define as black?

All people oppressed by apartheid and classified as "non-white”

Main aim of Black Consciousness?

Black self-definition

What did Black Consciousness reject?

White-defined values

What did Black Consciousness seek to restore?

 Dignity and confidence

Who said blacks must define themselves?

Steve Biko

What does BPC stand for?

Black People's Convention

Why was the BPC formed?

Unite Black Consciousness organizations

What was one ambition of the BPC?

Unite anti-apartheid movements

Which exiled organisations did it hope to unite?

ANC and PAC

What did Black Consciousness criticize?

White liberal opposition to apartheid

Which international movements influenced BCM?

African and African-American struggles

What religious movement influenced BCM?

Black Theology

What occurred in 1974?

Pro-Frelimo rallies

What happened to Soweto's student population between 1972 and 1976?

It doubled

Why were more students attending school?

Demand for educated workers

What student organization emerged in schools?

SASM

What does SASM stand for?

South African Students' Movement

Who became Deputy Minister for Bantu Education?

Andries Treurnicht

What language policy caused anger?

Afrikaans as medium of instruction

Which subject was specifically affected?

Mathematics

Why did students oppose Afrikaans instruction?

Teachers and learners struggled with it

What broader issue angered students?

Inferior Bantu education

When did the Soweto uprising begin?

16 June 1976

How many students marched?

About 15000

How did the police respond?

Tear gas and live ammunition

How many learners were initially killed?

2

What happened after the shootings?

Nationwide unrest spread

Which communities joined the protests?

Coloureds and Indians

Where did the uprising spread?

Witwatersrand, Cape Town, Eastern Cape

What happened in Soweto during the unrest?

Hundreds killed and buildings destroyed

What did many young activists do?

Joined ANC in exile

Why did they leave South Africa?

 To receive military training

Who was detained after the uprising?

Steve Biko

What restriction was placed on Biko?

Banning order

What did a banning order do?

Restricted movement and activities

Who was Biko reportedly trying to contact?

Robert Sobukwe

When was Biko arrested again?

August 1977

What happened to Biko in detention?

He was murdered

How did the world react to Soweto?

Condemned apartheid

How did Soweto affect the economy?

Caused major losses

How did big business respond?

Favoured reform

What effect did the uprising have on the apartheid state?

Shook its confidence

What happened to hardline Verwoerdian policies?

Began to weaken

Why were the 1970s a turning point?

Resistance could not be crushed

Which event was as significant as Soweto?

Durban strikes

What two issues remained central to resistance?

Labour and education