Topic 4
20
, Background (non-examinable)
Structure of the government
- Parliament voted by whites
- Lower house of parliament was House of Assembly
o Made the laws
- Upper house was the Senate
o Approved the laws
- National party filled the positions of Prime Minister and State
President
- National Party increased its majority in parliament over the years
o Can pass laws without opposition
- ‘Colored’ and Indian people had advisory councils
- Africans had no political rights
- The policy of Apartheid wad a strict form of segregation
o Social and economical segregation
Position of government became vulnerable because:
- Growing overseas opposition. There were cultural and economic
boycotts
- Conscription became compulsory for 1 year
- In 1970’s and 1980’s many ‘petty’ acts were scrapped
How matters improved for the Apartheid regime in the early 1960’s:
- The National Party dominated government
- ANC and PAC were banned
- Armed wing of ANC was raided leading to the imprisonment of leaders
Late 1960’s onwards the tides began turning against Apartheid:
- Support for the ANC was growing, providing new hope
- The ANC refilled its leadership positions
- 1970’s strikes started to occur
- Soweto uprisings were proof that things could change
o Received international support
- Government attempted to reform Apartheid with new leader, P.W.
Botha
21
20
, Background (non-examinable)
Structure of the government
- Parliament voted by whites
- Lower house of parliament was House of Assembly
o Made the laws
- Upper house was the Senate
o Approved the laws
- National party filled the positions of Prime Minister and State
President
- National Party increased its majority in parliament over the years
o Can pass laws without opposition
- ‘Colored’ and Indian people had advisory councils
- Africans had no political rights
- The policy of Apartheid wad a strict form of segregation
o Social and economical segregation
Position of government became vulnerable because:
- Growing overseas opposition. There were cultural and economic
boycotts
- Conscription became compulsory for 1 year
- In 1970’s and 1980’s many ‘petty’ acts were scrapped
How matters improved for the Apartheid regime in the early 1960’s:
- The National Party dominated government
- ANC and PAC were banned
- Armed wing of ANC was raided leading to the imprisonment of leaders
Late 1960’s onwards the tides began turning against Apartheid:
- Support for the ANC was growing, providing new hope
- The ANC refilled its leadership positions
- 1970’s strikes started to occur
- Soweto uprisings were proof that things could change
o Received international support
- Government attempted to reform Apartheid with new leader, P.W.
Botha
21
