Essay: African Nationalism
African Nationalism became more organized in South Africa after the
formation of the union of South Africa. Britain ruled after the war in 1902
and a process of preparing South Africa for independence followed based
on the British way of government and having strong ties with Britain.
Britain had hoped to strengthen the damaged relationship with white
south africans, and the colonies merged into a union in 1910. The
government consisted of white men only. Early forms of African
nationalism consisted mainly of non-militant organisations, however its
nature changed after WWII.
WWII had a long-lasting impact on the nature of African nationalism. The
war broke out in 1939 when Britain and France declared war on Germany
after its invasion of Poland. Due to South Africa’s history as a British
colony, they sided with the allied powers. Many Africans were recruited by
the prime minister, Jan Smuts. African men hoped to gain more political
freedom after the war, as Smuts promised that their military service would
be rewarded. The Defence Act of 1912 put restrictions in place by ruling
that only citizens of European descent could be listed as combatants,
whereas African were used as porters, drivers and labourers. Africans did
their part by enlisting. 123 131 African males enlisted in the union
defence force. Many Africans were no longer willing to accept the
discriminatory policies implemented by whites after WWII.
The Atlantic Charter was a statement issued on 14 August 1941 that set
out American and British goals for the end of WWII. These goals included
points such as: no territorial changes made against the wishes of white
people, restoration of self-government to those deprived of it, global co-
operation to secure better social and economic conditions for all,
disbarment of aggressor nations and freedom from fear. Leadership of the
ANC used this document to base African claims in Africa on.
However, Smuts words did not materialise as he lost the 1948 election to
DF Malan. After this, apartheid was introduced which further isolated
africans politically rather than granting them freedom. Various legislation
was put into place such as the Population Registration Act (1950), which
classified south africans according to race, and the mixed marriages act
(1949) which prohibited interracial marriages.
In 1944, the ANC Youth League was formed by radical young men who
wanted to take a more militant stance. While the ANC has existed since
1912, it only became mass-based through the ANCYL. ANC leader, Dr. AB
Xuma, was responsible for bringing the ANCYL into the executive which
grew their membership and involvement in resistance. To strengthen its
fight for liberation, the ANCYL developed the Programme of Action
involving boycotts, strikes and other defence tactics.
*Please note that this is CONTENT and, in the exam, to achieve a distinction, link every paragraph
with the topic to ensure your essay answers the question in the most logical way. A proper
introduction and conclusion will also contribute to a distinction. Content alone will only earn you a
max of about 70-75%.
African Nationalism became more organized in South Africa after the
formation of the union of South Africa. Britain ruled after the war in 1902
and a process of preparing South Africa for independence followed based
on the British way of government and having strong ties with Britain.
Britain had hoped to strengthen the damaged relationship with white
south africans, and the colonies merged into a union in 1910. The
government consisted of white men only. Early forms of African
nationalism consisted mainly of non-militant organisations, however its
nature changed after WWII.
WWII had a long-lasting impact on the nature of African nationalism. The
war broke out in 1939 when Britain and France declared war on Germany
after its invasion of Poland. Due to South Africa’s history as a British
colony, they sided with the allied powers. Many Africans were recruited by
the prime minister, Jan Smuts. African men hoped to gain more political
freedom after the war, as Smuts promised that their military service would
be rewarded. The Defence Act of 1912 put restrictions in place by ruling
that only citizens of European descent could be listed as combatants,
whereas African were used as porters, drivers and labourers. Africans did
their part by enlisting. 123 131 African males enlisted in the union
defence force. Many Africans were no longer willing to accept the
discriminatory policies implemented by whites after WWII.
The Atlantic Charter was a statement issued on 14 August 1941 that set
out American and British goals for the end of WWII. These goals included
points such as: no territorial changes made against the wishes of white
people, restoration of self-government to those deprived of it, global co-
operation to secure better social and economic conditions for all,
disbarment of aggressor nations and freedom from fear. Leadership of the
ANC used this document to base African claims in Africa on.
However, Smuts words did not materialise as he lost the 1948 election to
DF Malan. After this, apartheid was introduced which further isolated
africans politically rather than granting them freedom. Various legislation
was put into place such as the Population Registration Act (1950), which
classified south africans according to race, and the mixed marriages act
(1949) which prohibited interracial marriages.
In 1944, the ANC Youth League was formed by radical young men who
wanted to take a more militant stance. While the ANC has existed since
1912, it only became mass-based through the ANCYL. ANC leader, Dr. AB
Xuma, was responsible for bringing the ANCYL into the executive which
grew their membership and involvement in resistance. To strengthen its
fight for liberation, the ANCYL developed the Programme of Action
involving boycotts, strikes and other defence tactics.
*Please note that this is CONTENT and, in the exam, to achieve a distinction, link every paragraph
with the topic to ensure your essay answers the question in the most logical way. A proper
introduction and conclusion will also contribute to a distinction. Content alone will only earn you a
max of about 70-75%.
