Question

task 8: south africa section 1 see think wonder apartheid and the people
directions: examine the chart and complete the see, think, wonder below
apartheid and the people of south africa
whites blacks
population 10 million 18 million
land allocation 13 percent 87 percent
share of national income < 35 percent 70 percent
ratio of average earnings 1 1.6
minimum taxable income 3600 rand 700 rand
doctors/population 1/44,000 1/400
infant mortality rate 30% (urban) 2.7%
40% (rural)
annual expenditure on education per pupil $45 $0.95
teacher/pupil ratio 1/30 1/22
figure 1: disproportionate treatment circa 1970s. source: leo80
see think wonder

questions:
this chart depicts the gap between white and black africans in the union of south africa in 1970.
how might the land act of 1913 have contributed to the gap 60 years before?

Explanation:

The Land Act of 1913 in South Africa restricted Black Africans from owning or occupying most land, reserving 87% for Whites (as seen in the 1970s chart’s land allocation: Whites 13%, Blacks 87% reversal? Wait, no—wait, the chart shows Whites had 13%? Wait, no, the chart’s “Land Allocation” row: Whites 13%, Blacks 87%? Wait, no, the original Land Act of 1913 restricted Black land ownership to reserves (about 7 - 8% later expanded, but the 1970s chart shows Whites with 13% land? Wait, maybe the chart has a typo, but the key is the Land Act of 1913 enforced racial segregation in land, limiting Black access to productive land, forcing them into overcrowded reserves. This limited their economic opportunities (farming, property ownership), leading to poverty, lower income (chart shows Blacks with <35% national income, lower earnings ratio, etc.), worse health (higher infant mortality, fewer doctors), and education (lower spending, worse teacher - pupil ratio). By 1970, this historical land dispossession (from 1913) compounded over decades, creating the gap in population - land mismatch, income, services, etc., seen in the chart. So the Land Act of 1913 established the racial land - based inequality that persisted and grew, contributing to the 1970s disparities.

Answer:

The Land Act of 1913 contributed to the 1970s gap by enforcing racial land segregation: it restricted Black Africans to small, overcrowded reserves (contrasting with the 1970s land allocation where Whites held 13% and Blacks 87%? Wait, likely a chart label mix - up; the Act reserved most land for Whites). This limited Black economic opportunities (farming, property), causing poverty, lower income, and worse access to health/education—disparities seen in the 1970s chart (e.g., income, land, services gaps). Over decades, this land - based inequality compounded, widening the gap.