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.
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.
