If you were a black non-citizen in South Africa, how would you resist and protest against apartheid? Explain

prisoners crushing rocks at Robben Island

• prisoners crushing rocks at Robben Island

In the 1980s, the United Democratic Front was a a multi-racial coalition of community-based groups, trade unions, church groups, students, that launched a grassroots struggle against apartheid.

• In the 1980s, the United Democratic Front was a a multi-racial coalition of community-based groups, trade unions, church groups, students, that launched a grassroots struggle against apartheid.

• In 1985, the Congress of South African Trade Unions was formed (COSATU).

est. 1983, ANC-supported

• est. 1983, ANC-supported

• Primary goal: to coordinate activities of anti-apartheid orgs, and to resist state’s recent constitutional reforms

• Organized as a federation of regionally based fronts

• Umbrella federation for more than 600 local orgs

• Prominent church leaders, civic leaders, former ANC reps, students

• (mostly) Espoused nonviolence

Trade Unionism:

• Trade Unionism:

• New consumption & worker power in black African communities
• New multi-racial unions & labor orgs
• Black union membership jumped from 40,000 in 1975 to 247,000 in 1981 and to 1.5 million in 1985
• Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU): umbrella org representing more than 500,000 trade union members
• Strikes & protests: African labor unions legalized in 1979
• 1984: 464 strikes; 1987: 1,148 strikes
• In 1985 more than 390 strikes involving 240,000 workers

‘Civics’

• ‘Civics’

• Created in part to protest and supplant local govt. in townships
• Neighborhood organization & direct action
• Consumer boycotts
• Political theatre

1986, the South African government decided that the antiapartheid movement was threatening all-white rule and cracked down on resistance.

• 1986, the South African government decided that the antiapartheid movement was threatening all-white rule and cracked down on resistance.

• The government used mass arrests, torture, and rigged trials to crush opposition.

• More than 20,000 people were arrested.

• Resistance increased despite the harshness of the state of emergency.

• During the 70s, 80, & 90s the Union enforced trade sanctions (arms)

• International pressure came in the form of an economic & cultural boycott.

• Countries stopped doing business with South Africa
• Sporting events were boycotted if they included a South African Team

International Response

• International Response

• Divestment- Cease business relationships with companies that do business in South Africa
• Sanctions (1985)- United States imposed limited sanctions on the South Africans; many other European nations followed

What does the cartoonist mean or is trying to prove with each political cartoon?

• What does the cartoonist mean or is trying to prove with each political cartoon?

• How do you know?

During the 1980s the charismatic Anglican bishop, Desmond Tutu, rallied western support with a call for boycott of South Africa, primarily through economic sanctions.

• During the 1980s the charismatic Anglican bishop, Desmond Tutu, rallied western support with a call for boycott of South Africa, primarily through economic sanctions.

• In 1984 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of "the courage and heroism shown by black South Africans in their use of peaceful methods in the struggle against apartheid".

 The commissions purpose was to investigate crimes that happened during apartheid.

•  The commissions purpose was to investigate crimes that happened during apartheid.

•  

• The commission let victims and perpetrators of violence be heard and forgiven. 

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The idea behind the commission was that if perpetrators spoke up they would be given amnesty. 

• The idea behind the commission was that if perpetrators spoke up they would be given amnesty. 
• Amnesty makes a person innocent and forgivin for their crimes.
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