National Party Racial Policies and 1948 Election
TITLE
How important were the racial policies of the National Party as a reason for its electoral success in 1948? Explain your answer.
ESSAY
The racial policies of the National Party played a significant role in its electoral success in 1948. The party's commitment to increased segregation and full apartheid in South Africa resonated strongly with the Afrikaner community and much of white society, particularly after the Second World War. The influx of non-white people to urban areas during the war was seen as a threat by the National Party, and returning soldiers viewed cheap black labor as a danger to their job security and income. The party capitalized on this sentiment and questioned the United Party's commitment to racial segregation, helping to secure its electoral victory. Additionally, the National Party championed Afrikaner nationalism and identity, positioning themselves as the protectors of Afrikaner culture and language. The influence of the Broederbond society and the Dutch Reformed Church further reinforced the idea of Afrikaners as a chosen people destined to rule over non-white people. The impact of the Second World War, which led to industrial expansion and increased numbers of non-white people in cities and industries, further fueled support for the National Party's racial policies. Lastly, the failure of the United Party to adapt its policies to the growth of racist sentiments and the needs of the Afrikaner community, along with the dominance of rural areas in the parliament, which were predominantly made up of Afrikaner farmers, also played a role in the National Party's electoral success.
SUBJECT
HISTORY
PAPER
IGCSE
NOTES
How important were the racial policies of the National Party as a reason for its electoral success in 1948? Explain your answer. Yes National Party committed to increased segregation and full apartheid in South Africa; especially popular idea with Afrikaner community and much of white society after the Second World War; Party viewed the increased migration of non-white people to urban areas to look for work during the war as a threat to society; returning soldiers viewed cheap black labour as a threat to their job security and income; Jan Smuts’ United Party viewed as out of touch on the racial question and National Party questioned their commitment to racial segregation; Malan advocated the Sauer Report which advocated full segregation in South Africa, etc. No More important – growth of Afrikaner nationalism by 1948; National Party made themselves the champions of the Afrikaner cause, culture and language; Afrikaner identity strengthening Broederbond society promoted interests in business and the professions; Dutch Reformed Church viewed Afrikaners as a chosen people destined to rule over non-white people (can be a YES argument); Second World War led to industrial expansion and higher demand for weapons and supplies, and white people were called up to fight; increased the number of non-white people in the cities and working in industry; they began to outnumber white people in some areas; many settled in squatter camps and the government relaxed pass laws; some black people pushed for greater concessions and this shocked many white people in South Africa (could be YES argument); failure of United Party to adapt their policies with growth of racist sentiments and the Afrikaner community; rural areas better represented in the parliament and dominated by Afrikaner farmers who voted for the Nationalists, etc