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African Nationalism, 1948-59 - Coggle Diagram
African Nationalism, 1948-59
Political opposition
main opposition was led by the ANC, formed in 1912 by a middle class elite and had concentrated on debate and argument. It always supported campaigns to improve the lives of africans and did attract grass-roots support
South african Indian congress was founded in 1919 to support and promote the rights of indian people and oppose segregation. they wanted non violent resistance and to work with the ANC and other groups.
The communist party of south africa (CPSA) was a multi-ethnic party founded in 1921, wanted to organise african people into trade unions and unite with white trade unionsist on the basis of class rather than race. Worked with the ANC which fuel rumours that they were communist. Dissolved and became an illegal organisation following the supression of communism act 1950
Mid-30s all non-white groups saw the need to cooperate in joint campaigsn, but because of the restrictions on travel and communication joint action was difficult
in december 1935 400 delegates established all-african convection AAC which emphasised loyality to sa and opposed segregation
Revival of the ANC
From 1940, under Alfred Xuma, ANC worked more closely with other organisations like the SAIC to develop a policy of non co-operation through civil disobedience
developed grassroots support, saw as many as 100,000 on strike
1943, Walter sisulu formed the ANC Youth league wich included a new generation of leaders such as nelson mandela, oliver tambo and robert sobukwe
ANCYL wanted direct action rather than protests and other disruptions. after 1949 ANC conference, leaders of YL took control of the org.
Basic Policy 1948 was a response to NP victory and has 3 key positions. 1) africans should unite as one instead of in different tribes 2) african people had a right to prosperity and wealth in africa 3) africans should accept help from sympathetic groups
Basic policy later formalised into a Programme of Action which stressed the absolute rejection of white domination, a pro african policy, assertion of pride in being african and a demand for mass and direcr action to oppose apartheid
Defiance Campaign 1952
initally local protests where supporters would break the law eg by not carrying passes and ask to be arrested- ideally no. of those arrested exceed authorities ability and show weight of opposition.
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Over 10,000 attended initial meeting in Durban- ANC reaching wide audience and its membership rose from est 4000 to over 100,000 after campaign
in the 6 months of the campaign 8500 participants were arrested for acts of defiance but vast majority 8 mil africans didn't get involved
formally ended jan 1953 but it never moved beyond one mass protest in the eastern cape and there was little participation in rural areas
Freedom Charter
most anti-apartheid groups came together between 25-26 June 1955 drew up charter - statement of ideas based on human rights and equality in the law
presented at a people's congress; took place in Kliptown near johannesburg was attended by 3000 representative
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Women's pass protest 196
Bantu womens league had joined ANC as early as 1918 and ANC womens league was formally inaugurated 1948
Federation of south african women (FSAW) formed in april 1954 by Helen Joseph and president of the ANC Lilian Ngoyi- organised a protest against women having to register for and carry passes
August 9th 1956, now known as Women's day in south africa, 20,000 women marched on pretoria with a petition of 100,000 signatures.
1000 women protested in Lichtenburg in the western transvaal when officials tried to register them, the police fired into the crowd and killed 2
March 1960 3,020,281 or 75% of total african female population had been issued with passes
Black Sash- radicalised white protest group, supported action and began open advice centres for non white people. they arranged bail for arrested women so they can return to their children and built up group of lawyers to represent african women for small fees. built trust with african people