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HOW DID THE MASS DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT (MDM) REACT TO PW BOTHA'S 'REFORMS' IN THE 1980s? Refer to Source 1A - NSC History - Question 1 - 2023 - Paper 2
Question 1
HOW DID THE MASS DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT (MDM) REACT TO PW BOTHA'S 'REFORMS' IN THE 1980s? Refer to Source 1A. 1.1.1 Why, according to the source, was the MDM formed i... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:HOW DID THE MASS DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT (MDM) REACT TO PW BOTHA'S 'REFORMS' IN THE 1980s? Refer to Source 1A - NSC History - Question 1 - 2023 - Paper 2
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1.1.3 Explain why the MDM operated as an unstructured front in the fight against apartheid.
Answer
The MDM operated as an unstructured front to involve a broader spectrum of formations against apartheid, making it difficult for the apartheid regime to suppress dissent. This strategy allowed diverse groups to unify their efforts and intensify the resistance.
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1.1.5 Why did the MDM decide to organise a worker stay-away against the tricameral elections due to take place on 6 September 1989?
Answer
The MDM decided to organize a worker stay-away to pressure the government against participating in elections that excluded black South Africans, thereby showcasing their unity and the illegitimacy of the electoral process.
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1.2.1 State TWO reasons why the nearly month-old campaign of civil disobedience and defiance by South African blacks lost some of its momentum by August 1989.
Answer
Two reasons for the loss of momentum are:
- Nationwide police clampdowns restricting protests.
- An increase in violent attacks on anti-apartheid activists.
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1.2.2 Explain why MDM leaders of the defiance campaign decided to escalate their protests a week before the elections for Parliament in September 1989.
Answer
MDM leaders escalated their protests to draw attention to the unfairness of the elections and intensify civil disobedience, aiming to undermine the legitimacy of the tricameral parliament.
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1.2.3 Comment on the implication of the march by Mary Burton and Dorothy Boesak for British intervention in South African matters.
Answer
The march led by Burton and Boesak highlighted the need for international attention and intervention against apartheid, signaling to British authorities the urgency of their involvement in South African governance.
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1.2.4 Give TWO protest actions, named in the source, that could not materialise because of arrests or other restrictions on MDM activists.
Answer
Two protest actions that could not materialize include:
- Street protests that were planned but were frequently disrupted by arrests.
- Organised marches that had to be cancelled due to imposed restrictions.
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1.3.1 Identify any TWO reasons in the source that best describe why the peace march can be regarded as a success.
Answer
Two reasons for the success of the peace march are:
- High levels of participation demonstrating widespread public support.
- The peaceful nature of the march highlighted the desire for unity against apartheid.
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1.3.2 What do you think influenced the apartheid government at the time, not to use violence to break up the peace march?
Answer
The apartheid government likely refrained from using violence due to the international scrutiny and the potential for negative global backlash, as well as the unity displayed by the demonstrators.
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1.3.3 Explain the term emergency decrees in the context of the apartheid government's attempt to control anti-apartheid demonstrations.
Answer
Emergency decrees refer to legislation passed by the apartheid government allowing for the suspension of normal legal rights to suppress protests, enabling the authorities to control anti-apartheid demonstrations more effectively.
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1.3.4 Quote evidence from the source that shows the protestors imitated (copied) some actions of the US Civil Rights Movement.
Answer
Evidence from the source indicates that protestors sang 'We Shall Overcome' and other songs associated with the US Civil Rights Movement, reflecting their inspiration from its struggle.
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1.4.2 Explain the usefulness of this source to a historian studying the September 1989 peace march organised by the MDM on 13 September 1989.
Answer
The source is useful as it provides firsthand visual evidence of participation, atmosphere, and key figures involved, contributing valuable context to the historian's understanding of the event.
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1.5 Explain how the evidence in Source 1C supports the information in Source 1D regarding the events that unfolded during the peace march organised by the MDM on 13 September 1989.
Answer
Source 1C highlights the number of participants and the success of the peace march, correlating with Source 1D, which captures the emotional and leadership dynamics of the event, showcasing the protest’s significance in the anti-apartheid struggle.
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Using the information in the relevant sources and your own knowledge, write a paragraph of about EIGHT lines (about 80 words) explaining how the MDM reacted to PW Botha's 'reforms' in the 1980s.
Answer
The MDM reacted strongly against PW Botha's 'reforms' by organizing significant campaigns of civil disobedience and resistance. They united various organizations to challenge the legitimacy of the tri-cameral parliament, which excluded black South Africans. The MDM emphasized peaceful protests, exemplified by the successful 1989 peace march. Their strategies reflected a collective rejection of apartheid policies, mobilizing communities and gaining international support, ultimately seeking an end to an unjust system.