EBOOK Twentieth-Century South Africa

An innovative examination of the forces - both destructive and dynamic - which        have shaped twentieth-century South Africa. This book provides a stimulating        introduction to the history of South Africa in the twentieth century. It draws on        the rich and lively tradition of radical history writing on that country and, to a        greater extent than previous accounts, weaves economic and cultural history into the        political narrative.Apartheid and industrialization, especially mining, are central        theme, as is the rise of nationalism in the Afrikaner and African communities. But        the author also emphasizes the neglected significance of rural experiences and local        identities in shaping political consciousness.The roles played by such key figure as        Smuts, Verwoerd, de Klerk, Plaatje, and Mandela are explored, while recent        historiographical trends are reflected in analyses of rural protest, white cultural        politics, the vitality of black urban life, and environmental decay.The book        assesses the analysis of black reactions to apartheid, the rise of the ANC. The        concluding chapter brings this seminal history up-to-date, tackling the issues and        events from 1994-1999 - in particular the success of Mandela and the ANC in seeing        through the end of apartheid rule. It also looks at the chances of a stable future        for the new-found democracy in South Africa.