The Treason Trial

Question 1

What happened?

Answer 1

December 1956, gov arrested 156 leading activist connected with the Congress of the People and Freedom Charter.
- Arrested in dawn raids

Question 2

What were they accused of?

Answer 2

• High treason
• Trying to overthrow the gov
• Set up a communist state

Question 3

Who was accused?

Answer 3

ANC President Albert Luthuli, Nelson Mandela and Walter Sisulu
From the SAIC, Yusuf Dadoo and Ahmed Kathrada
From the Federation of South African Women, Helen Joseph and Lilian Ngoyi.
Communist such as, Joe Slovo, Ruth First and Lionel Berstein.

Question 4

How long did it last?

Answer 4

Until 1961

Question 5

Outcome

Answer 5

All defendants were found ‘ not guilty’ and released.
Gov unable to prove ANC advocated violence or that the Freedom Charter was a blueprint for a communist state.

Defendants had skillfully used the courtroom to promote anti-apartheid message and Freedom Charter recieved Great amount if publicity.

Question 6

What happened to ANC?

Answer 6

After trial ANC had absence of leadership for 5 years and the org came under criticism form Africanists. In 1959 there was a split and a group let by Robert Sobukwe and Potlako Leballo set up the Pan African Congress (PAC)