OCR A GCSE: South Africa 1960-1994

Teach OCR A GCSE South Africa 1960-1994, no prep needed!

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South Africa 1960-1994

The OCR A GCSE History module, South Africa 1960–1994: The People and the State, explores the dynamics between the state and its people during a transformative period in South African history. It covers the peak and eventual dismantling of the apartheid system by examining key events such as the Sharpeville Massacre and the Rivonia Trial, the evolution of both peaceful and armed resistance - including actions by the ANC, the Black Consciousness Movement, and student protests like the Soweto Uprising - and the various government responses, from harsh repression to limited reforms.

The module also considers international opposition to apartheid, the impact of sanctions, and the negotiations that eventually led to the unbanning of political organizations, culminating in the first multiracial elections of 1994. This study not only develops students’ knowledge of historical facts and events but also enhances their ability to analyse and evaluate the interplay between political power and public resistance.

Through this study, students will be able to synthesise particular developments with particular times and exemplify their learnings. This module consists of the following parts:

Key Topic 1: Opposition to the Apartheid regime c.1960s

  • The consolidation of Apartheid
  • Separate Development
  • The establishment of the Bantustans
  • Nature and extent of support for Apartheid
  • Methods used by the government to maintain the Apartheid regime
  • The Sharpeville Massacre and its impact
  • Reasons for, methods of and impact of different types of resistance to the Apartheid regime, including the ANC, continuing impact of the Freedom Charter
  • Umkhonto we Sizwe and Poqo
  • The Rivonia Trial 1964 and its consequences.

Key Topic 2: Growing resistance and repression c.1970s

  • The Black Consciousness Movement, SASO, women’s groups, trade unions, including the Durban workers’ strike 1973 and young people, including the Soweto students’ uprising 1976
  • The ANC in exile; the international Anti-Apartheid Movement
  • The impact of resistance on the Apartheid regime
  • The response of the regime to resistance.

Key Topic 3: The collapse of Apartheid c.1980s–1994

  • Growing pressure on the regime, including the impact of sanctions
  • The United Democratic Front
  • The growth and impact of mass resistance
  • The growth of Inkatha, ‘civil war’ and the impact on Black communities
  • Opposition to the 1983 constitution
  • The State of Emergency 1985–1990
  • Divisions within the National Party government and the failure of ‘total strategy’, including the impact of the defeat at Cuito Cuanavale
  • The role of leading figures, including FW de Klerk, Ramaphosa and Mandela;
  • Negotiations between the government and the ANC
  • Unbanning of the ANC, Pan African Congress and the South African Communist Party
  • The first free elections in 1994.

Resources for South Africa 1960-1994

Resource Examples for South Africa 1960-1994

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This module download also includes the following teaching resources:

  • L4 Why Did Economic Sanctions On South Africa Fail (pdf)
  • Module 3 And 4 Nelson Mandela- Mini Biography (mp4)
  • L2 Apartheid Images For Info Hunt (pdf)
  • Module 3 And 4 Nelson Mandela For Kids After 27 Years In Prison Nelson Mandela Becomes President Of South Africa (mp4)
  • L3 Leaders Chart (docx)
  • Module 3 And 4 Sharpeville Massacre 21 March 1960 (mp4)
  • Module 6 South Africa Elections Election Results Celebrations At Anc Headquarters (mp4)
  • Module 2 Segregated Education Under Apartheid (mp4)
  • L1 Verwoerd And The Apartheid System (docx)
  • L4 Why Did Economic Sanctions On South Africa Fail (docx)
  • Module 3 And 4 The Life And Times Of Nelson Mandela Part 2 Animated Legacy Comic Series (mp4)
  • Module 3 And 4 The Life And Times Of Nelson Mandela Part 1 Animated Legacy Comic Series (mp4)
  • Module 2 Apartheid 46 Years In 90 Seconds Bbc News (mp4)
  • L3 Leaders Chart (pdf)
  • Module 7 Capturing Freedom- The 1994 Election From A Journalist S Point Of View (mp4)
  • L5 Changes To The Apartheid System (docx)
  • Module 7 Apartheid And Its Ending (mp4)
  • Module 3 And 4 Opposition To Apartheid In Sa (pptx)
  • Module 2 Apartheid Images For Info Hunt (pptx)
  • L5 Changes To The Apartheid System (pdf)
  • L1 Verwoerd And The Apartheid System (pdf)
  • Module 2 Life In Apartheid South Africa (pptx)
  • L2 Apartheid Chart (pdf)
  • L2 Apartheid Chart (pptx)
  • L3 Violent Opposition To Apartheid (pdf)
  • Module 5 International Opposition To Apartheid (pptx)
  • L6 The End Of Apartheid In South Africa (pptx)
  • Module 2 Apartheid Explained (mp4)
  • L1 Apartheid Worksheet (pdf)
  • L3 Violent Opposition To Apartheid (docx)
  • L1 Apartheid Worksheet (doc)
  • L1 Apartheid System (pptx)
  • OCR GCSE History Exam Booklets (zip)