Recent Changes

March 27th, 2011
History AP
Mr. Mettee
Hallie Veteto
South Africa: A Model of Rebirth and Progress
South Africa is a classic story of redemption, encompassing many epochs and upheavals. What began as a mysterious trading gem, known only as the Cape of Good Hope, transformed into a player in international politics and diplomatic inspiration the world-over. South Africa, exploited for its labor, resources and easily corrupted government has overcome the interventions of imperialists time and again. It is illustrative of the effects of imperialism that South Africa had relatively peaceful relationships among all its citizens until England became involved in its affairs. With the discovery of diamonds in 1867 and then gold in 1886 (Benjamin), South Africa quickly became the destination of choice for high class extortion of the natives. The British were already an authoritative presence when they took over the government, controlling the natives in a more official and oppressive way. In some respect, South Africa owes its place as a recognizable force in the global community to the lessons they learned from their own oppressors.
Perhaps the most shocking part of South Africa’s history is the outright racism that was law in the early 20th century. The Land Act was formed in 1913 and prevented natives from buying, renting or using land for their gain. In the next year the National Party took power with a platform of legislated apartheid. In response the African National Congress became a formidable political party, defending the rights and freedoms of native Africans. After protests against the Land Act, the National Party instated colorblocks, barring Africans from holding even semi-skilled jobs. The ANC youth league was formed by Nelson Mandela in order to get the masses involved in politics, but the National Party won office once again and the government was much harsher on dissenters. The ANC formed a Programme of Action manifesto, calling for a new and fairer government. These ANC members met at Klipton in 1955 to write the Freedom Charter, remembered for its opening line “the people shall govern!” The chartists were accused of communism and arrested. Peaceful leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Albert Lutuli, and Yusuff Dadoo were forced to endure the infamous Treason Trial of 1956-1961 (Benjamin). Protestors poured into the streets, not to overthrow anyone, but rather to show their support for their imprisoned leaders. On March 21st, 1960 people gathered to protest the latest of the 38 apartheid laws meant to suppress the African people, the Pass Act. The Pass Act was the equivalent of the yellow stars Jewish people were forced to wear during WWII. Africans were required to carry around pass books and any time they were unable to produce one they were arrested on the spot. Because these peaceful protestors were of a greater number than the police, the police opened fire on the crowd, killing 69. The international community responded in the most passive aggressive way possible, barring South Africa from the 1964 Olympic Games. In that same year Nelson Mandela was sentenced by Charles Swart, president of South Africa, to life in prison
(Benjamin). The legacy of the president that let one of the most famous political faces associated with civil rights be incarcerated is stated simply, by Wikipedia. It says “The tallest building in Bloemfontein, South Africa was named after him… (It) houses a revolving restaurant on the 26th floor.”
While Mandela was imprisoned, South Africa saw many atrocities. The Soweto Uprising killed 176. A car bomb by the, now leaderless, ANC caused 19 deaths and 200 wounded. Then F. W. de Klerk came to power. De Klerk was a National Party member, so it seems strange that he is the winner of a Nobel Peace Prize and honored as the engineer of the end of apartheid in South Africa. De Klerk had a vision much like Mandela’s: a free and equal South Africa. De Klerk released and pardoned ANC leaders in 1990 after their 27 years in prison (BBC). The next year Mandela was elected the first black president of South Africa, saying, “In my country we go to prison, then become president”. Although throughout the 90’s there were many violent uprisings, South Africa took many steps to become a part of the international community with their new identity. They rejoined the UN and were invited back to the Olympics soon after (BBC). The government also took a stand against the aids epidemic, offering cheaper drugs to combat it. A new age dawned in South Africa in which the majority of people were represented and the government was run by an elected official. The world has welcomed this new South Africa and hailed it as a beacon of hope for countries facing oppression today. As Nelson Mandela said, “to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others”. Today the problems of South Africa are much like the problems of many other countries: they have strikes, they have corrupt officials, they have extremists, but the change made in the anti-apartheid movement is visible everywhere. The freedoms that the native people of South Africa enjoy today are beyond the wildest dreams of those fighting in the late 19th century. It is not so much that any group of imperialists exited; rather they became equal citizens, in the manner that a free and equal state operates. Both races enjoyed the same rights, opportunities and hardships as far as the law is concerned. In Mandela’s defense during the Rivonia Trial he spoke to this point, commenting,
During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to the struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.
It is this idea, for an equal Africa, and the sacrifice of men like F.W.de Klerk that made the South Africa we know possible. A white candidate for the National Party would have the greatest power of any man in the country, able to do whatever he wanted practically. Instead these leaders fought for the masses.
Although South Africa shuffled off the shackles of their oppressors, they were left with a mess all the same. Poverty is uncontainable, the crime rate is sky-rocketing and unemployment follows suit. The international community has attempted to help, providing economic stimulus and including South Africa in diplomatic discourse. In a country where 1 in 7 of its citizens is infected with HIV/Aids it is difficult to rely on the stability of the people, (BBC). Because no Africans were allowed jobs during apartheid, there are very few people with the skills to become doctors or scientists. The life expectancy in South Africa is around 53 years (BBC). The international community can expect little from a country cycling through generations almost twice as fast as 1st world countries. Even with these horrifying conditions, South Africa is one of the leading forces in Africa with the largest economy and the most rights for citizens. South Africans now enjoy freedom of the press, the right to equality, human dignity and religion. Reading through their constitution’s Bill of Rights one would find descriptive, specific rights, illustrative of how much South Africans cherish them.
The “moral” of the South African story is simple, “It always seems impossible until it’s done” (Mandela). When English imperialists came into South Africa, looking for the riches they were told of, they encountered something that they had not expected. This was the impenetrable spirit of the South African people. Through being oppressed in action, speech and law by white citizens, they never questioned their right to ‘human dignity’ and they never forgot those who died to give it to them. The history of South Africa is hardly similar at all to the history of any other colony, for they never considered themselves the property of some greater race, or the employee of some distant king. The imperialists became immersed in the population, rather than only involving themselves in trade. This allowed the natives to finally show that they the rightful commanders of their own destinies.
Works Cited
BBC. "BBC News - South Africa." BBC - Homepage. 24 Nov. 2011. Web. 27 Mar. 2011.
South Africa. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. UNESCO. Web. 28 Mar. 2011.
Thomas Gale. "African National Congress." Benjamin, Thomas. Encyclopedia of Western Colonialism since 1450. Farmington Hills: Thomas Gale, 2007. 17-19, 757-759.


Thursday- February 11th
Ben says there is only editing left to be down. I patted him on the head and scratched his back to soothe him. Nothing else could be done.
Saturday- February 12th
Helped Cleo construct works cited, got help from the crotts.

Wednesday- February 9th
Worked on compiling script, got a lot done. Need to email Ben and Cleo
Thursday- February 11th
Ben says there is only editing left to be down. I patted him on the head and scratched his back to soothe him. Nothing else could be done.

Wednesday- February 2nd
Found awesome videos of people getting guillotined
Tuesday- February 8th
Ben and I divvied up tasks so that he would have less to do, CLeo was sick and had a lot of our stuff
Wednesday- February 9th
Worked on compiling script, got a lot done. Need to email Ben and Cleo

Monday- January 31st
Wrote summary of Robespierre, talked through format, interviewed Crotts last week.
Wednesday-Tuesday- February 2nd1rd
We are chugging along, Ben just has to interview!
Wednesday- February 2nd
Found awesome videos of people getting guillotined

Monday- January 31st
Wrote summary of Robespierre, talked through format, interviewed Crotts last week.
Wednesday- February 2nd
We are chugging along, Ben just has to interview!

The enclosure movement in England was a period that defined class structure for many years and has influenced modern classism. It started with the land-owning citizens changing the way the world viewed ownership. Land was no longer divided per title, but instead with monetary compensation. Land was no longer considered public or common, it was private and this left non-landowners out of luck. This created a visible divide between classes and made the rich richer and the poor much poorer. Although labor jobs became available for the poor, there is no job that can replace the loss of a place to keep their livestock. Without a place to keep these animals they would be forced to give them up and lose the reliable resource. With a need for jobs for lower class people growing the industrial revolution came along. Farmers with enclosed land had begun to create machines to do their work and began innovations into agricultural technology. With the masses to run factories and the farmers able to innovate with their time the enclosure movement set the stage for the industrial revolution.

TheThe French Revolution
Monday- January 17th
Didn't really have anything to do.
Thursday- January 27th
Wrote questions for Rizzo, thinking we will use Mr. Buddy to read our stuff.
Monday- January 31st
Wrote summary of Robespierre, talked through format, interviewed Crotts last week.

Friday- January 21st
SAT prep
Monday- January 24th
Rizzo says she is emailing Mettee, but might have source at Pack Lib. Found perfect letter for movie!
Tuesday- January 25th
Vomiting violently...
Wednesday- January 26th
Sickkkkkk...
Thursday- January 27th
Wrote questions for Rizzo, thinking we will use Mr. Buddy to read our stuff.

SAT prep
Monday-
Rizzo says she is emailing Mettee, but might have source at Pack Lib. Found perfect letter for movie!