GCSE-ready- Home
- Lessons
- GCSE & IGCSE History
- P.W. Botha's response to resistance, 1978 to 90
P.W. Botha's response to resistance, 1978 to 90
🎬 The doodle video for this lesson is coming soon. Subscribe on YouTube to see it first.
P.W. Botha tried to save white rule with limited reforms and tough repression. Instead, resistance and international pressure grew.
Reform
He allowed some reforms: Black trade unions, ending the ban on mixed marriages (1985), and scrapping the pass laws (1986).
A new parliament (1984) had chambers for Coloured and Indian people, but none for Black South Africans.
Resistance and repression
Township unrest spread; rent boycotts and protests made areas ungovernable.
Church leaders such as Archbishop Desmond Tutu spoke out.
Botha declared a State of Emergency (1985 to 90): mass arrests, press censorship and troops in the townships.
On the far right, the AWB opposed any reform.
International pressure
Economic sanctions grew, including by the USA (1986), and many foreign companies and banks pulled out.
The economy suffered, and some white business leaders started talking to the ANC.
Why did Botha's reforms fail to end resistance?
- They did not give Black South Africans the vote.
- The 1984 parliament left Black people out entirely, angering them further.
- So protests grew and Botha relied on repression instead.
Answer: They did not give Black South Africans real political power, so resistance grew.
Botha (from 1978) mixed reform ('adapt or die', end of pass laws, a 1984 parliament excluding Black people) with repression (State of Emergency 1985 to 90). Resistance grew through the UDF, township unrest and church leaders like Tutu. The AWB opposed reform. Boycotts and sanctions damaged the economy.
Check you have got it
Answer 6 quick questions with instant marking. If you get one wrong, GCSE-ready shows you why and gives you another go. It is free, and you do not need an account.