Resisting Apartheid

Question 1

Sobukwe and the Sharpeville massacre

Answer 1

• Sobukwe founded the PAC
• 1960 - ANC and PAC organised a massive, peaceful anti-pass law demonstration, PAC made it clear they they hoped many were arrested
• A large and noisy crowd surrounded the police station in Sharpeville
• A young policeman lost his nerve and fired into the crowd, as did his colleagues, they killed 69 and wounded 180, many shots were to the back
• Police ordered remaining demonstrators to leave, they answered by throwing stones, the police responded with bullets, killing 2 and injuring 49

Question 2

Consequence of the massacre

Answer 2

• International opinion was that apartheid should end, white businessmen questioning the country’s safety
• PAC led 30,000 marchers into Cape Town and parliament, after dithering the government declared a state of emergency and outlawed the PAC and ANC
• Peaceful protesting had now ended
• MK set up (Mandela and the Spear of the People) - Concentrated on sabotage and aimed to avoid loss of life

Question 3

MK - Mandela and the Spear of the People

Answer 3

• While it was active Mandela hid underground for 17 months mad trained as a guerrilla fighter, he visited many African states and Britain in order to rally support and became famous for staying ahead of the police
• Arrested bin 1962 in a police trap, sentenced for 5 years for ‘leaving the country without permission’, wasn’t found guilty with MK

Question 4

Treason Trial

Answer 4

• 1956-1961 - 156 activists, including Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu were put on trial for treason due to the Freedom charter which called for a non-racial South Africa
• All charges were acquitted showcasing the apartheid government’s fear of blacks

Question 5

Rivonia Trial

Answer 5

-1963-64 - Headquarters of MK was raided and many documents outlining MK plans a and linking Mandela to them were found
- Mandela charged for recruiting people for training in sabotage and guerrilla warfare
- Mandela, Sisulu and six others were sentenced to life imprisonment on Robben Island
- Famously said he was willing to die for the cause to the judge on the case

Question 6

Steve Biko and black consciousness

Answer 6

• Founder of the Black Consciousness Movement (BCM)
• Leader of SASO (South African’s Student Organisation)
• Banned by the government in 1973
• Died in police custody in 1977 - huge symbol of apartheid brutality
• Encouraged the rejection of white superiority

Question 7

Soweto Uprising

Answer 7

• Student-led protest on 16 June 1976 in Soweto, near Johannesburg due to the introduction of teaching in Afrikaaners
• Students protested peacefully, but police responded with brutal force, opening fire
• Iconic picture of 13 year old boy dead

Question 8

Failure of international opposition pre-1970

Answer 8

• SA able to defy the rest of the world as they were economically strong and boost USA and Russia wanted control of their waters
• Fast growing economy and possessed more valuable minerals than any country other than the Soviet Union