Key Elements Of A Democratic Government - Class 6 Civics - Extra Questions

Many compromises were made by the whites and blacks. Mention one of them.

The whites agreed to the principle of majority rule and that one person one vote. 
The blacks agreed that majority rule would not be absolute.


What were the points that the blacks and whites agreed upon while making a constitution for South Africa?

After two years of discussion and debate the blacks and whites came out with one of the finest constitutions the world has ever had. This constitution gave to its citizen the most extensive rights available in any country. Together they agreed upon the following points:
(i) They decided that in the search for a solution to the problems, nobody should be excluded, no one should be treated as a demon.
(ii) They agreed that everybody should become part of the solution, whatever they might have done or represented in the past.


What actions does the government take to ensure that all people are treated equally?

The government ensures that the constitutional provisions are implied in the country. It makes laws and enforces them to abolish all sorts of discriminations. It makes provisions to provide equal facilities to all classes of people, promotion of education among girls and economically backwards. These are some of the actions that the government takes to ensure equality among people.


Despite many difficulties, there was one big advantage for the makers of the Indian Constitution which was absent in South Africa. What was it?

Unlike South Africa, the makers of the Indian Constitution did not have to create a consensus about what a democratic India should look like. Much of this consensus had evolved during the freedom struggle.


Are you in favour of apartheid system or against it? Why? Give sufficient reason.

Apartheid was the name of a system of racial discrimination which was in practice in South Africa for a long time.
This system was very oppressive for the non-whites. They did not have voting rights. They were denied facilities. They were not allowed to live in the areas meant for the whites. The most tragic aspect of this system was that the non-whites could not protest against this terrible treatment.
I don't think there is any point which would boost me up to support this inhuman system. As such, I am dead against it. It must not exist anywhere in any form.


How was the apartheid system oppressive for the blacks?

The apartheid system was particularly oppressive for the blacks in the following ways:
(i) The blacks were forbidden from living in white areas. They could work in white areas only if they had a permit.
(ii) Trains, buses, taxis, hotels, hospitals, schools and colleges, libraries, cinema halls, theatres, beaches, swimming pools, public toilets, were all separate for the whites and blacks.
(iii) The blacks could not visit churches where the whites worshipped.
(iv) They could not form associations or protest against the terrible system of apartheid.


Who was the first President of the newly born democracy in South Africa?

Nelson Mandela was the first President of the newly born democracy in South Africa.


What happened to Hector and his classmates? Why did it happen?

Hector and his classmates, because they were non-whites luring in one black township named Soweto, were being forced to learn the language of whites i.e. Afrikaans. But they wanted to learn their own language, Zulu and joined the protest against learning the Afrikaans language in school. The South African police beat up the protestors ruthlessly and shot at the crowd. One of their bullets killed Hector.


Read through the chapter and discuss some of the key ideas of a democratic government. Make a list. For example, all people are equal.

  • All people are equal.
  • Justice to all. 
  • Opportunities for equal education to all.
  • Abolition of discriminations. 
  • Equal status to all religions. 
  • Abolition of untouchability.


Write a short note on 'The African National Congress'.

The African National Congress, a group of people who led the struggle against the system of apartheid. Dr. Nelson Mandela was their leader. The struggle got intensified under his leadership. He fought the apartheid system for several years. Finally, the system was abolished in 1994 and South Africa became a democratic county in which people of all races were considered equal.


Name the party that fought against the system of apartheid. 

The African National Congress.


What do you know about the system of apartheid that was imposed on South Africa by the white Europeans?

(i) Apartheid was the name of a system of racial discrimination imposed on South Africa by the white Europeans. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the trading companies from Europe occupied South Africa with arms and forces.
(ii) Afterwards a large number of 'whites' got settled there and became the local rulers. The system of apartheid divided the people and labelled them on the basis of their skin colour.
(iii) The native people of South Africa are black in colour. There were others who were of mixed races and were called coloured'. People who migrated from India also comprised the non-white population.
(iv) The white ruler treated all non-whites as inferiors. The non-whites did not have voting rights. They were suppressed in a number of ways.


Mention one major feature of the South African constitution.

The South African constitution emerged as a model of democracy. 
It inspires democrats all over the world.


Class 6 Civics Extra Questions