Reasons for the National Party victory in 1948

Question 1

Election results

Answer 1

The National Party won 79 seats to the United Party’s 71 seats.

Question 2

The impact of the second World War

Answer 2

• The outbreak of the second World War divided white people.
• English speakers were more likely to support the Allies, while Afrikaner people felt affinity to Nazi Germany.
• Hendrik Verwoerd, a future prime minister, became the editor of the National Party’s newspaper, this became notorious during the war for its pro-Nazi stance and anti-semitism.

Question 3

Economic effects of war

Answer 3

• The need for labor meant many of the laws relating to the employment of African people were replaced: of the 125,000 extra workers employed in manufacturing during the war years, just 25% were white.
• Although African people received far less pay, many Afrikaners feared Africans would take their jobs once the war was over.
• In particular, they feared the ruling of the United Party was preparing a more moderate racial policy.

Question 4

The growth of Afrikaner nationalism

Answer 4

• Afrikaner people were becoming more assertive and developing the National Party: they were organizing at local levels to win support, and developing strategies for the achievement of power.
• They did not trust the English-speaking parties.
• In 1938, the Voortrekker monument celebrating the centenary of the battle of Blood River was built, it created a real sense of Afrikaner identity.
• Afrikaner finance concerns were developed to help Afrikaner people set up their own businesses.
• The Dutch Reformed Church provided Afrikaner schools and cultural activities to develop a pride in Afrikaner identity.

Question 5

Fear of United Party moderation of racial policies

Answer 5

• Many white people distrusted the United Party on its racial policies.
• During the election campaign smuts suggested the influx of African people into White areas for employment to continue.
• Although he emphasized that African people should continue to live in strictly segregated and regulated communities, the National Party focused most of their campaign attacking this policy.

Question 6

International pressures for change

Answer 6

• The international response to the National party victory was muted because many European countries such as Britain and France still had empires in which the indigenous populations were subservient.
• South Africa was surrounded by pliant neighbors such as Rhodesia, part of the British empire, and Angola and Mozambique, governed by Portugal.
• South Africa was itself in charge of Southwest Africa (Nambia).
• However, international criticism grew, particularly as anti-colonial movements developed.

Question 6

Afrikaner support for the Nazis

Answer 6

• While half the white South African male population of military age – 180,000 men – joined the Allied forces, some Afrikaner people actively worked for Nazi victory.
• For example, by broadcasting pro-Nazi material.
• Many joined the openly pro-fascist Greyshirt movement or supported the Oxwagon Sentinel, formed after the Battle of Blood River centenary and modelled to the Nazi party.
• It claimed 250,000 members by 1939.
• Many were interned as potential traitors during the war years.

Question 7

United Nations

Answer 7

• The first international discussion to the National Party victory and apartheid had been initiated by India, concerned about the treatment of Indian people in South Africa as early as 1946.
• Thereafter, the UN general council condemned apartheid every year from 1952.
• However, the USA was very influential within the United Nations, especially the Security Council.
• South Africa avoided pressure to chance because it was seen as a reliable ally against the growth of communism, and profitable investment.
• The situation was to change significantly by the end of the 1950’s but initially at least, the South African government was free to act without international coercion.