RESISTANCE TO APARTHEID: 1948 – 1963

Question 1

Background and Pre-1948 Resistance

Answer 1

Context:

ANC since 1912.
ANC’s cautious role in early resistance (petitions, letters).
Other resistance groups but no united opposition.
Changes during WW2:

Urbanization and industrialization.
ANC Youth League (1943) injected radical ideas.
Formation of African Mine Workers Union (1941 - AMWU).
ANC Changes (1949):

Militant shift with Moroka replacing Xuma.
ANC adopts the Programme of Action (1949).
ANCYL influence in ANC’s executive.

Question 2

The Programme of Action and Early Protests

Answer 2

Programme of Action (1949):

Rejects conciliatory methods.
Calls for strikes, boycotts, civil disobedience.
Appeals to all Black classes, promoting mass-based resistance.
Council of Action and May Day Strike (1950):

Joint action against low wages and discrimination.
Successful in stopping industries.
Police violence in Sophiatown, Alexandra, Orlando, and Benoni.
National Day of Protest and Mourning (June 1950):

Reaction to strike casualties.
Nationwide anti-Apartheid alliance forming.
Growing Black Nationalism.

Question 3

The Defiance Campaign (1952) and its Outcomes

Answer 3

Defiance Campaign (1952):

ANC and SAIC’s Joint Planning Council.
Ultimatum to repeal 6 Unjust Apartheid Laws.
Large-scale non-violent resistance, arrests, imprisonments.
Significance:

ANC’s shift from moderation.
International attention to Apartheid.
Strengthening unity in Congress Alliance.
Post-1948 Period:

ANC’s shift to mass action.
Rise of ANC’s support (1950-1952).
Formation of SACTU (1955).

Question 4

Sharpeville Massacre and its Consequences

Answer 4

Sharpeville and Langa Events (1960):

Resistance against pass laws.
Police violence and casualties.
Widespread international condemnation.
Government Reaction:

State of Emergency (1960).
Banning of ANC and PAC.
United Nations resolution against South Africa.

Question 4

Community Struggles and Congress of the People

Answer 4

Community/Grassroots Struggles:

Resistance against forced removals.
Potato boycott in 1955.
Bus boycotts and women’s resistance.
Congress of the People and Freedom Charter (1955-1956):

Formation and goals.
Congress Alliance’s involvement.
Significance and impact.

Question 5

Birth of Armed Struggle (1961) and Rivonia Trial

Answer 5

Birth of Armed Struggle (1961):

MK’s formation and initial attacks.
ANC leaders’ shift to controlled violence.
Rivonia Trial (1963):

Police raid at Liliesleaf Farm.
Arrests, Operation Mayibuye, and weapons found.
Sentencing and government suppression measures.
Significance:

Shift to underground operations.
Effectiveness of government suppression.