South Africa 1960–1994: The People and the State (J410/05) - Opposition to the Apartheid regime c.1960s — OCR GCSE History
Verified courseTeaching note checked against the official specification.
South Africa 1960–1994: The People and the State (J410/05) - Opposition to the Apartheid regime c.1960s explained
This topic examines how Apartheid was consolidated and resisted in the 1960s.
Read the full explanation
Learn how Separate Development was organised and how the Bantustans were established as nominally self-governing homelands. Weigh the nature and extent of support for Apartheid among different groups. Study the methods government used to maintain the regime, such as legislation and policing. Examine the Sharpeville Massacre and its impact on opposition and international opinion. Compare reasons for, methods of and impact of different types of resistance, including the ANC, the continuing impact of the Freedom Charter, and the armed wings Umkhonto we Sizwe and Poqo. Finally, cover the Rivonia Trial of 1964 and its consequences for the leadership of resistance.
Your focus
- Explain the consolidation of Apartheid through Separate Development and the Bantustans.
- Assess support for Apartheid and the methods government used to maintain the regime.
- Explain the Sharpeville Massacre and compare reasons for, methods of and impact of different types of resistance.
Show all 4 objectives
- Describe the Rivonia Trial of 1964 and its consequences.
South Africa 1960–1994: The People and the State (J410/05) - Opposition to the Apartheid regime c.1960s exam tips
Marking Points
- Explains the consolidation of Apartheid through Separate Development and the establishment of the Bantustans.
- Assesses the nature and extent of support for Apartheid among different groups.
- Describes the methods government used to maintain the Apartheid regime.
- Explains the Sharpeville Massacre and its impact on opposition and wider opinion.
- Compares reasons for, methods of and impact of resistance by the ANC, Umkhonto we Sizwe and Poqo.
- Explains the continuing impact of the Freedom Charter on resistance.
- Describes the Rivonia Trial of 1964 and its consequences for the resistance leadership.
Examiner Tips
- 💡Match each option to a named element such as Bantustans, Sharpeville or Rivonia before choosing.
- 💡Eliminate options that misattribute armed wings to the wrong organisation.
- 💡Check that an option covers the whole clause, for example both methods and impact of resistance.
- 💡Use the date 1964 to test options about the Rivonia Trial and its consequences.
Common Mistakes
- Treats the Bantustans as genuinely independent states; describe them as part of Separate Development designed to deny shared citizenship.
- Confuses Umkhonto we Sizwe with Poqo; keep the ANC's armed wing distinct from the PAC-aligned movement.
- Dates the Rivonia Trial outside 1964; anchor it firmly in that year and its consequences.
- Ignores the Freedom Charter's continuing impact; link it to later resistance aims.