UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — African natives’ protests

Q1. The Mines and Works Amendment Act, 1926 (the 'Colour Bar Act') was enacted by a joint sitting of how many houses of the South African Parliament?

• A. One
• B. Two
• C. Three
• D. Four

Q2. With reference to the Mines and Works Amendment Act, 1926 ('Colour Bar Act'), consider the following statements. Which of the above is NOT correct?

1. It withheld certificates of competency for skilled trades from Black workers.
2. It bracketed Coloured people with whites in the privileged category.
3. It was administered through advisory committees dominated by white trade unions.
4. It removed Cape African voters from the common voters' roll.

• A. 1 only
• B. 2 and 3
• C. 4 only
• D. 3 and 4

Q3. The job 'colour bar' in South African mining was first given statutory form under which of the following?

• A. Mines and Works Act, 1911
• B. Mines and Works Amendment Act, 1926
• C. Native (Urban Areas) Act, 1923
• D. Industrial Conciliation Act, 1924

Q4. Under the 1926 colour-bar mechanism, the withholding of skilled-trade certificates of competency from non-white workers was operationalised chiefly through which body?

• A. Advisory/examining committees dominated by white trade unions
• B. The Chamber of Mines board of directors
• C. The Native Affairs Department commissioners
• D. The provincial mining inspectorate

Q5. Hertzog became Prime Minister in 1924 as leader of the senior partner in the 'Pact' coalition government. Which party did he lead?

• A. National Party
• B. Labour Party
• C. South African Party
• D. Afrikaner Bond

Q6. Hertzog's aim of removing Cape African voters from the common voters' roll was finally realized under which Act?

• A. Representation of Natives Act, 1936
• B. Native (Urban Areas) Act, 1923
• C. Natives Land Act, 1913
• D. Population Registration Act, 1950

Q7. The Population Registration Act, 1950 initially classified South Africans into how many racial categories (before the Asian category was added)?

• A. Two
• B. Three
• C. Four
• D. Five

Q8. The term 'apartheid', adopted by the National Party after 1948, is an Afrikaans word most precisely meaning which of the following?

• A. 'Apartness' / 'separateness'
• B. 'White supremacy'
• C. 'Homeland' or 'reserve'
• D. 'Pass' or 'permit'

Q9. With reference to the 1926 Cape Town protests against the Colour Bar Bill, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

1. Crowds held all-night prayer and hymn vigils.
2. Deputations were sent to Premier Hertzog.
3. Hertzog defended the Bill as needed to keep South Africa 'safe for white men'.
4. The protesting crowds petitioned the League of Nations to intervene.

• A. 1, 2 and 3
• B. 2 and 4
• C. 1 and 4
• D. 3 only