Racism and segregation in the world, 1920s and 1930s
When the union of South Africa was formed in 1910, political power was in the hands of white
people. Only males could vote, and only the Cape had a non-racial franchise which allowed some
colored males to vote.
The appeal by Hertzog to the
Segregation polices: white voters explained and justified
1. In workplace the racist laws of that time
2. In land ownership
3. In the army
4. In towns
5. In administrative and legal systems
6. In politics
1. Workplace
1920’s civilized labour policy (gave white workers a secure place in the economy),
which prevented blacks from training for skilled positions in industry and denied black
workers the right to strike or to be members of trade unions
2. Land ownership
In 1913 Land Act stated Africans could own land but only in reserves (areas set
aside where Africans could own land) which only covered 7% of the country. This was
extended into 1936 and people were forced of their land and into overcrowded
reserves
3. Army
Only white soldiers allowed to serve in army. Black soldiers served as UNARMED AUXILIARIES
(cooks are drivers)
4. Towns
Africans living in urban areas had to live in location or townships. The government used pass
system to limit the movement of people from reserves to towns. Local councils could force
people home if there were no jobs available.
5. Administrative and legal systems
Tribal councils were set up to administer the reserves (blacks should be ruled separately)
Native law was applied (Africans had segregated legal and administrative systems)
6. Political system
1936 Africans in the cape lost right to vote which were supposed to be protected in the
union constitution, they were represented by white electives and the government set up a
native representative council (NRC)
, The national party victory In the 1948 election
The breakdown of segregation
• Segregation began to break down when the National
Party began winning in 1948 election.
• Industries developed because of the war.
• There were shortages of labour (Black workers began to
fill skilled positions in factories and mines)
• Africans moved permanently to the cities where there
were shortage of houses. They built informal settlements.
• Growth of black labour resulted in increasing demands
and strikes by black workers (1946 Mineworkers strike,
75 000 workers went on strike)
The breakdown of segregation laws
• The growth of informal settlements and more demands
worried white voters
• There was a concern about African Nationalism and the
demands of the Congress Youth League
• White people believed a change in government was
necessary if the system of segregation was to carry on
• The national party developed policy of apartheid (solution)
Why did the National Party Adopt the policy of Apartheid
voted into power in 1948 and promoted the policy of apartheid, it appealed to
a wide range of white voters on the economic grounds.
• White workers feared competition with black labourers
• White employees wanted cheap labour
• White farmers wanted black labour I rural areas
• Afrikaners voted the NP because it offered better opportunities and
they would be protected from competition by Black South Africans
National party stayed in power for the next 46 years. Number of English
speaker voters voted for the Np because of the apartheid law.
When the union of South Africa was formed in 1910, political power was in the hands of white
people. Only males could vote, and only the Cape had a non-racial franchise which allowed some
colored males to vote.
The appeal by Hertzog to the
Segregation polices: white voters explained and justified
1. In workplace the racist laws of that time
2. In land ownership
3. In the army
4. In towns
5. In administrative and legal systems
6. In politics
1. Workplace
1920’s civilized labour policy (gave white workers a secure place in the economy),
which prevented blacks from training for skilled positions in industry and denied black
workers the right to strike or to be members of trade unions
2. Land ownership
In 1913 Land Act stated Africans could own land but only in reserves (areas set
aside where Africans could own land) which only covered 7% of the country. This was
extended into 1936 and people were forced of their land and into overcrowded
reserves
3. Army
Only white soldiers allowed to serve in army. Black soldiers served as UNARMED AUXILIARIES
(cooks are drivers)
4. Towns
Africans living in urban areas had to live in location or townships. The government used pass
system to limit the movement of people from reserves to towns. Local councils could force
people home if there were no jobs available.
5. Administrative and legal systems
Tribal councils were set up to administer the reserves (blacks should be ruled separately)
Native law was applied (Africans had segregated legal and administrative systems)
6. Political system
1936 Africans in the cape lost right to vote which were supposed to be protected in the
union constitution, they were represented by white electives and the government set up a
native representative council (NRC)
, The national party victory In the 1948 election
The breakdown of segregation
• Segregation began to break down when the National
Party began winning in 1948 election.
• Industries developed because of the war.
• There were shortages of labour (Black workers began to
fill skilled positions in factories and mines)
• Africans moved permanently to the cities where there
were shortage of houses. They built informal settlements.
• Growth of black labour resulted in increasing demands
and strikes by black workers (1946 Mineworkers strike,
75 000 workers went on strike)
The breakdown of segregation laws
• The growth of informal settlements and more demands
worried white voters
• There was a concern about African Nationalism and the
demands of the Congress Youth League
• White people believed a change in government was
necessary if the system of segregation was to carry on
• The national party developed policy of apartheid (solution)
Why did the National Party Adopt the policy of Apartheid
voted into power in 1948 and promoted the policy of apartheid, it appealed to
a wide range of white voters on the economic grounds.
• White workers feared competition with black labourers
• White employees wanted cheap labour
• White farmers wanted black labour I rural areas
• Afrikaners voted the NP because it offered better opportunities and
they would be protected from competition by Black South Africans
National party stayed in power for the next 46 years. Number of English
speaker voters voted for the Np because of the apartheid law.
