The 1960s. Many remember these years as rather tumultuous months connected by war and political upheaval. Away from the future scenes of Vietnam and myriad British-interior issues, to the south, another conflict of a federal nature was brewing—South Africa was debating whether to establish itself as a communist or democratic state. A fairly young and developing nation at this time, South Africa was pressured to reach a decision by both sides, communist and free. British Prime Minister Harold MacMillan viewed this issue from afar, and promptly delivered a speech to Parliament that would prove instrumental in South Africa’s ultimate decision. Entitled “The Wind of Change”, this speech that swept the nation incorporated numerous rhetorical devices to affect its purpose, including an establishment of common ground, an appeal to history, and a series of rhetorical questions.
In the very commencement of his oration, MacMillan lavishes the South African nation with myriad compliments regarding its industrial and governmental successes, which he then incorporates into the insinuation that it was British support that made these achievements possible. Smoothly and brilliantly, MacMillan establishes a common heritage and cultural presence with his audience, uttering the following words in paragraph 1:
“No one could fail to be impressed with the immense material progress which has been achieved. That all this has been accomplished in so short a time is a striking testimony to the skill, energy and initiative of your people. We in Britain are proud of the contribution we have made to this remarkable achievement. Much of it has been financed by British capital. …” (1)
Here, Macmillan praises South Africa while subtly reminding them that Britain’s successes and support have also served their nation—he hints that South Africa naturally should follow in Britain’s footsteps of democracy not only to succeed further themselves, but to also show appreciation for the material encouragement England has offered. Macmillan utilizes this strategy once more in paragraph 10, this time more explicitly:
“The world today is divided into three main groups. First there are what we call the Western Powers. You in South Africa and we in Britain belong to this group, together with our friends and allies in other parts of the Commonwealth” (10).
Obviously, Macmillan is identifying South Africa as an ally of Britain, and moreover, a member of its political network. Macmillan is actually making a rather bold political claim by categorizing South Africa as one of the free countries—he is now telling them that they naturally belong to the democratic world. Such a method is quite persuasive, as Macmillan logically establishes South Africa as a fellow member, welcoming them, that they may be more inclined to accept Britain’s invitation to adopt democracy officially, not just in culture as Macmillan implies.
The following device Macmillan employs is an appeal to history, one that stretches all the way back to the fall of the Roman Empire and terminates with South Africa’s future steps. Concealed in paragraphs 4-7, this narrative serves to provide a kind of pattern-based evidence for Macmillan’s persuasion:
“Ever since the break up of the Roman empire one of the constant facts of political life in Europe has been the emergence of independent nations...In the twentieth century, and especially since the end of the war, the processes which gave birth to the nation states of Europe have been repeated all over the world... Fifteen years ago this movement spread through Asia. Many countries there, of different races and civilisations, pressed their claim to an independent national life. Today the same thing is happening in Africa, and the most striking of all the impressions...is of the strength of this African national consciousness”
(4-7).
In this excerpt, Macmillan cites national examples of independent emergence of government, around Europe and the world, for that matter. Here, he emphasizes that South Africa is not alone in their struggles to decide upon an effective form of government—numerous countries have faced the same conflict, and many have made the decision of joining the democratic branch, as Macmillan later relays. Macmillan is including these examples to display to South Africa that powerful and successful countries are those which have faced this debate and followed Britain, and he wishes to indicate to South Africa that the same may occur if they act similarly.
In the ultimate paragraph of his work, Macmillan barrages the audience with a succession of thought-provoking rhetorical questions. These inquiries serve to challenge the South African people, eliciting actual response and reflection upon his words:
“As I see it the great issue in this second half of the twentieth century is whether the uncommitted peoples of Asia and Africa will swing to the East or to the West. Will they be drawn into the Communist camp? Or will the great experiments in self-government that are now being made in Asia and Africa, especially within the Commonwealth, prove so successful, and by their example so compelling, that the balance will come down in favour of freedom and order and justice?”
(10).
These juxtaposed questions present the audience with two options—they may either join the communist nations or join Britain. On one hand, Macmillan depicts communist government as less successful, arguably tyrannical, while the second question highlights democracy’s merits as an effective governing strategy. Macmillan ends his speech shortly after this to explain the significance of the decision he is discussing, and to make one last attempt at convincing his audience that democracy is the true answer.
Therefore, Prime Minister Harold Macmillan was an orator of persuasiveness who was invaluable in the trajectory of South Africa’s history. Through his emphasis of solidarity, historical appeal, and inquisitive statements, Macmillan delivered a speech of power that as we know it has determined South Africa’s current state of success as a nation today. “The Wind of Change” truly did elicit just that—change for the better.
Works Cited:
Boddy-Evans, Alistair. “Full Text of Harold Macmillan's ‘Wind of Change’ Speech.”
ThoughtCo, ThoughtCo, 2 Mar. 2019, www.thoughtco.com/harold-macmillans-wind-of-
change-speech-43760.
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