TWE did the Rivonia Trial diminish opposition to Apartheid?
Intro:
- 9 opposition leaders prosecuted for 221 acts of sabotage under General Law Amendment Act 1962
- On the one hand: leaders life imprisonment, increased state oppression, movt lacked organisation
- However: trial broadcast internationally, gained international support, political opportunity (especially
for ANC)
- Therefore, undoubtedly negatively impacted movt, but not disastrous (setback)
P1: Garnered International awareness/support
- During trial, UN statements appealing vs death sentence
o Verwoerd claims didn’t impact verdict (improbable), nevertheless UN involvement magnified
issue internationally
- Following trial, global anti-apartheid movts (AAM London 1960, helped by exiles e.g. Oliver Tambo)
- SA isolated from international groups: FIFA (1963), The International Olympic Committee (1964)
- Economic support (e.g. Sweden & Soviet Union)
- Can argue: international support due to Sharpeville (21 st March 1960) not Rivonia (UN resolution
calling for reversal of apartheid)
o Although previous events triggered international disapproval, Rivonia uniquely sparked
action as well – more significant (helped Tambo form alliances, opposition within SA could
rebuild itself, targeted white SA)
P2: Impact on leaders
- Movement lost leaders
o Black ANC leaders joined Sobukwe on Robben Island
o Diminished movt as communication limited & censored, couldn’t coordinate large-scale
campaigns (activity decreased after 1964)
- Can argue gov decision not to execute leaders prevented martyrdom (would have unified SA more,
more outcry) & fractured movt more
However…
- Leaders lived on beyond imprisonment
o Mandela: freedom = ‘an ideal for which I am prepared to die’
- Movt still had leaders (Joe Modise, 1965-84)
o Although did hinder ability to conduct large-scale campaigns, not without leaders altogether
Joe Modise (similar views as Mandela, capable leader), Slovo in exile
o Setback in short-term, movt still had significant following
o Existence of leaders instilled hope – Rivonia = setback, not end
-
P3: The movement’s ability to operate within SA
- Increased state oppression following trial, Unlawful Organisations Act (8 th April 1960)
o Hard for movt to coordinate internal activity, now criminal
o Underground meetings resulted in limited change, decreased direct action
- Opposition activity greatly decreased post-1964
However…
- Movt not unsalvageable after 1964
