Essay: Overcoming Apartheid – Grade 11 CAPS
From the 1940’s to the 1970’s, resistance to apartheid took many different
forms. In the 1940’s the resistance movement was still moderate. In the
1950’s it turned to open, but non-violent, confrontation. In the early 60’s it
took up arms in the struggle.
The ANC Youth League was founded in 1944. In 1948, the ANCYL had the
idea of moving away from petition-based resistance and taking on a more
militant stance instead. The young radicals and urban youth became more
involved in taking mass action. In this, the programme of action was
adopted with the goal of achieving national freedom. Resistance was done
through boycotts, strikes and civil disobedience. The government
published the Unlawful organisation bill (The suppression of Communism
Act). The government reacted to the resistance by introducing more
legislation.
After the Programme of Action, its leaders were arrested and restricted. An
insight to the importance of alliances led to the formation of the Congress
Alliance. This was made up by the ANC, SAIC, FEDSAW, SACTU, Congress
of Democrats and the Coloured Peoples Organisation. This was done to
exert pressure on the minority white apartheid government.
A Joint Planning Committee, appointed to make recommendations,
decided to implement the Defiance Campaign. They embarked on mass
resistance campaigns against apartheid laws during the 300-year
anniversary of Jan Van Riebeeck’s arrival. They showed their disregard for
apartheid legislation in 3 stages: in cities, towns and rural areas. Its
membership grew and overseas funding was given. As a result, the
government introduced the Public Safety Act.
The Congress Alliance was empowered to organise congress of the people.
The aim was to draw up a document that outlined the demands for a just
and free society. Its input was gathered from all parts of society. A draft of
the Freedom Charter was presented at the congress in Kliptown on Sunday
26 June. The freedom charter was adopted. However, the government
reacted harshly, proceedings were interrupted and leaders were arrested.
The government was concerned by the Congress Alliance, Freedom
Charter and Defiance Campaign. The police acted in brutal raids on Black
South African political activists and 156 arrests were made. The treason
trials that followed gained international attention. The state failed as they
were un-co-ordinated and witnesses were unconvincing. This sowed the
governments determination to repress resistance.
Women also contributed to the struggle, freedom charter, beer hall etc. In
1956, the pass campaign was led by 20 000 women who marched to the
union buildings to petition to Strijdom. “Strijdom, you have tampered with
*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%.
From the 1940’s to the 1970’s, resistance to apartheid took many different
forms. In the 1940’s the resistance movement was still moderate. In the
1950’s it turned to open, but non-violent, confrontation. In the early 60’s it
took up arms in the struggle.
The ANC Youth League was founded in 1944. In 1948, the ANCYL had the
idea of moving away from petition-based resistance and taking on a more
militant stance instead. The young radicals and urban youth became more
involved in taking mass action. In this, the programme of action was
adopted with the goal of achieving national freedom. Resistance was done
through boycotts, strikes and civil disobedience. The government
published the Unlawful organisation bill (The suppression of Communism
Act). The government reacted to the resistance by introducing more
legislation.
After the Programme of Action, its leaders were arrested and restricted. An
insight to the importance of alliances led to the formation of the Congress
Alliance. This was made up by the ANC, SAIC, FEDSAW, SACTU, Congress
of Democrats and the Coloured Peoples Organisation. This was done to
exert pressure on the minority white apartheid government.
A Joint Planning Committee, appointed to make recommendations,
decided to implement the Defiance Campaign. They embarked on mass
resistance campaigns against apartheid laws during the 300-year
anniversary of Jan Van Riebeeck’s arrival. They showed their disregard for
apartheid legislation in 3 stages: in cities, towns and rural areas. Its
membership grew and overseas funding was given. As a result, the
government introduced the Public Safety Act.
The Congress Alliance was empowered to organise congress of the people.
The aim was to draw up a document that outlined the demands for a just
and free society. Its input was gathered from all parts of society. A draft of
the Freedom Charter was presented at the congress in Kliptown on Sunday
26 June. The freedom charter was adopted. However, the government
reacted harshly, proceedings were interrupted and leaders were arrested.
The government was concerned by the Congress Alliance, Freedom
Charter and Defiance Campaign. The police acted in brutal raids on Black
South African political activists and 156 arrests were made. The treason
trials that followed gained international attention. The state failed as they
were un-co-ordinated and witnesses were unconvincing. This sowed the
governments determination to repress resistance.
Women also contributed to the struggle, freedom charter, beer hall etc. In
1956, the pass campaign was led by 20 000 women who marched to the
union buildings to petition to Strijdom. “Strijdom, you have tampered with
*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%.
