protests and action 1.3

Key Concepts and Events in the Anti-Apartheid Movement (1948-1964)

Page 1: Major Events

• Transport Boycott: The first transport boycott of the apartheid era occurs.

• ANC Policy Adoption: The ANC adopts the Youth League's Programme of Action as its official policy.

• Criminal Law Amendment Act: The government introduces this act.

• End of the Defiance Campaign: The ANC's Defiance Campaign comes to an end.

• Congress of the People (COP): The COP begins, leading to the adoption of the Freedom Charter.

• Formation of PAC: The Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) breaks away from the ANC.

• Republic Declaration: South Africa leaves the Commonwealth, and Verwoerd declares a republic.

• Armed Struggle: The ANC adopts armed struggle with the formation of Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK).

• Rivonia Trial: The Rivonia Trial ends with guilty verdicts, leading to life sentences for ANC leaders.

Key Questions

• What factors determined the strategies of the anti-apartheid movement between 1948 and 1964?

• To what extent were protests and campaigns against apartheid successful?

• Why did the ANC adopt armed struggle?

Page 2: The Defiance Campaign

• Significance: The Defiance Campaign marked a radical phase in the struggle against apartheid.

• Objectives: Aimed to repeal apartheid laws and force negotiations with the ANC.

• Methods:

  • Mobilization of ordinary Africans to break unjust laws.

  • Non-violent civil disobedience to highlight government repression.

  • Involvement of other racial groups through coordination with the South African Indian Congress (SAIC).

Reasons for Launching the Campaign

• The ANC needed a more effective response to the apartheid laws.

• Previous protests had failed to sustain popular resistance.

• The government was dismissive of African opinion, necessitating a new strategy.

Page 3: Civil Disobedience

• Definition: Protesting against unjust laws through nonviolent means, inspired by figures like Thoreau, Gandhi, and Martin Luther King.

• Youth League Influence: The campaign confirmed the rise of the Youth League's mass activism over the conservative old guard of the ANC.

• Initial Stimulus: The campaign was partly a response to the National Party's tercentenary celebrations, which sparked mass rallies.

Page 4: Campaign Dynamics

• Public Response: The campaign gained momentum with significant participation from various communities.

• Arrests: Over 8,300 volunteers were arrested, leading to a rapid increase in ANC membership.

• Women’s Involvement: The ANC Women's League played a crucial role in organizing protests.

Decline of the Campaign

• The campaign peaked in mid-1952 but lost momentum due to widespread rioting and government repression.

• The introduction of the Criminal Law Amendment Act allowed harsher penalties for protest-related offenses.

Page 5: Successes and Failures of the Defiance Campaign

• Failures:

  • None of the six targeted laws were repealed.

  • The government strengthened its repressive powers.

  • Limited rural involvement and support from poorer communities.

• Successes:

  • Established the ANC as a national movement.

  • Increased awareness and involvement in the anti-apartheid struggle.

  • Set the stage for future mass movements.

Page 6: The Freedom Charter and COP

• Formation of COP: Convened in 1955 to unite various anti-apartheid groups.

• Goals:

  • Create a popular front against apartheid.

  • Draft the Freedom Charter, encapsulating the democratic aspirations of all South Africans.

• Freedom Charter: Proclaimed at a mass rally, calling for equal rights, land redistribution, and democratic governance.

Page 7: The Freedom Charter's Impact

• Key Provisions:

  • Equal rights for all citizens.

  • Redistribution of land and wealth.

  • Democratic governance based on the will of the people.

• Government Response: The apartheid government viewed the Charter as a revolutionary threat.

Page 8: Bus Boycotts

• Historical Context: Bus boycotts were a form of protest against fare increases, often successful in achieving concessions.

• Alexandra Bus Boycott (1957): Triggered by fare hikes, it involved mass participation and garnered sympathy from the White community.

Page 9: The Sharpeville Massacre

• Event Overview: On March 21, 1960, police opened fire on unarmed protesters, killing 69 and injuring many.

• Consequences: The massacre led to a shift in the ANC's strategy towards armed struggle.

Page 10: The Rivonia Trial

• Trial Overview: Key ANC leaders were tried for sabotage and treason, resulting in life sentences.

• Global Attention: The trial drew international condemnation and highlighted the brutality of the apartheid regime.

Page 11: Aftermath of the Rivonia Trial

• Impact on ANC: The trial marked a significant setback for the ANC, with many leaders imprisoned or in exile.

• Continued Resistance: Despite setbacks, the ANC remained a symbol of resistance, inspiring future movements.

Page 12: Conclusion

• Legacy of the Struggle: The events from 1948 to 1964 laid the groundwork for the eventual dismantling of apartheid, highlighting the resilience and determination of the anti-apartheid movement.