The Origins of Apartheid

The Origins of Apartheid

1. The 4 Historical approaches

   • Social History Approach
     • Argues that apartheid was caused by conflict and the different political views of races in South Africa
   • Liberal Approach
     • Liberals denied that there were economic benefits to apartheid and that the idea of white supremacy caused an apartheid state to be established.
   • Radical Approach
     • They would examine different classes and their struggles to determine why society emerged as it was.
   • Afrikaner Nationalist Approah
     • Argues that Afrikaner Nationalism led to Apartheid. A significant event that can support this is the formation of the National Party in 1914

2. The Population of South Africa

   • 67.4% Black Africans
   • 2.4% Indians
   • 8.6% coloured
   • 21.6% Whites (40% Afrikaners and 60% English)

3. Significant events linked to the creation of an apartheid state

   • The Boer Wars (1889-1902)
     • Increased tensions between the English and Afrikaners
   • The discovery of gold in the Transvaal
   • The Act of Union 1910 (which gave the British full control of South Africa. Afrikaners were opposed to this
   • The Formation of the National Party
     • They aimed to form a segregated society where Afrikaners and whites were treated better. They also wanted to cut ties with Britain and form a Republic
   • Conflict between Afrikaners and English over territory ,resources and war

4. Prior to 1948, There were forms of segregation conducted by the United Party against Blacks

5. Social Darwinism and Calvinisim

   • Social Darwinism
     • A philosophy that referred to Charles Darwin's theories of Natural selection. Darwinists argued that the 'fittest races' are superior to weaker ones
     • An example of a Social Darwinist philosophy is Nazism
   • Calvinism
     • Based on the theory by John Calvin who stated that God created different races for them to be separated
   • Dutch Settlers were very religious