Sharpville Massacre 1960

Question 1

Sharpeville background

Answer 1

In 1959, the PAC organised a nationwide campaign against the pass laws together with a ‘stay-away’ from work

This campaign was delibrately timed for 21 March 1960 (10 days ahead of a similar campaign planned by ANC

Question 2

The Strategy

Answer 2

Encourage people to refuse to carry their passes and present themselves at local police stations for arrest in hope the prison system would be overwhelmed.

Question 3

How many people participated?

Answer 3

Little support throughout most of country. Significant response in areas like Eaton and Cape Town. 30,000 people marched from the townships to the city.

Question 4

What happened in Sharpeville?

Answer 4

Around 10,000 young men showed up outside of the police station, waiting to be arrested.
Scuffle broke out at the gates leading into the police station.
A police officer accidentally or deliberately was pushed over.
According to police stones were thrown at them.
The more inexperienced constables were firing, the gun spontaneously.
69 people died, including eight women and 10 children, 180 people were wounded.

Question 5

Consequences of Sharpville

Answer 5

1. ANC and PAC held ‘stay at home’ and had a day of mourning on 28 March
2. Chief Luthuli publically burned his pass with serveral thousands copying his action.
3. Foreign investment removed from SA
4. Sharp fall in price of gold
5. Gov imposed currency restriction
6. UN Security Council passed a resolution condemning the Sharpeville killings and urged goc to end Apartheid
7. Important newspapers reported event

Question 6

Governments response

Answer 6

State Of Emergency was declared giving police increaed powers to arrest and detain political leaders and activists.
By middle of May, around 2,000 had been arrested. The PAC’s national leaders were all jailed on the grounds of inciting violence.

On 8 April both ANC and PAC were outlawed forcing both orgs to go underground.

Question 7

What new military organisations were established?

Answer 7

1. The ANC established Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) meaning ‘Spear of the Nation’.
2. PAC estabished POQO meaning ‘We stand alone’ or ‘Pure’.

Both groups were prepared to use sabotasge and violence in their stuggle agianst Apartheid.