O-LevelHistoryDepth studies2147/13 · May/June 2023 · Q1920 Marks

Little was done between 1966 and 1980 to solve South Africa's problems.

(a)What security measures did Vorster introduce after he became prime minister in 1966?[4]
(b)Why did black South Africans benefit little from the economic prosperity enjoyed by South Africa between 1966 and 1980?[6]
(c)Which was more important in opposing apartheid, the Black Consciousness Movement or opposition from outside South Africa? Explain your answer.[10]

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2023). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

[1] The Bureau of State Security was set up.
[1] The State Security Council was set up to advise the PM on security matters.
[1] The Terrorism Act made terrorism a separate crime. Convicted terrorists could be given the death penalty.
[1] Suspects could be detained indefinitely.
[1] More money was spent on the military and every young white man was conscripted into the army for two years.
[1] Greater censorship was introduced.
[1] The South African Broadcasting Corporation was used to pump out government propaganda.
[1] The wages of black workers remained low.
[1] The income gap between black and white workers increased.
[1] There was high unemployment for black workers in the 1970s.
[1] Many black South Africans were in the Homelands where there was little work.
[4-5] Explanation: Black South Africans primarily lived in Homelands, which lacked jobs and productive land, trapping them in poverty. Systemic low wages, a widening income gap, and high unemployment ensured they gained little from national prosperity.
[1] It made black South Africans determined to carry on the struggle against apartheid for themselves.
[1] The uprisings in 1976 were impossible to put down because they were widespread.
[1] The Soweto riots spread across the country.
[1] The Soweto protests led Botha to start introducing reforms.
[1] The Soweto protests started a string of violence that never ended.
[1] Steve Biko inspired many people.
[1] The UN gradually increased opposition to apartheid.
[1] The Organisation for African Unity set up bases outside South Africa to train terrorists.
[1] In the 1980s economic sanctions increased.
[4-6] Argument for BCM importance: Founded by Steve Biko, the BCM encouraged black South Africans to lead their own anti-apartheid struggle. It inspired the widespread Soweto Uprising in 1976, which drew international attention and eroded support for the regime, initiating persistent violence.
[4-6] Argument for external opposition importance: International opposition grew, with apartheid declared a crime against humanity. Sporting sanctions were implemented, but economic sanctions in the 1980s, including refusals of loans by US banks, truly harmed the South African economy, forcing change.