To what extent did the methods of the African National Congress (ANC) change in the years 1948–64?
Intro:
- Arguably more radical (increased violence) and more attempts to garner international support
- Although shifts made in period (notably, armed struggle declared 1961 & Tambo’s ‘external mission’),
changes in period cannot be credited fully to ANC, factors such as gov suppression limited ANC
activity & methods developed rather than changing dramatically
o Overall, did not change to a significant extent
P1: Armed struggle
- More radical
o 1949 Programme of Action (Youth League) – militant liberation
- Moved from non-violent civil disobedience to sabotage vs strategic units
o June 1961 explicitly decide on armed struggle
o 1952 Defiance Campaign (8,000 arrested)
o MK (16th Dec. 1961 Dingaan’s Day)
- Significant because…
o Mandela & Slovo = key MK (significant as demonstrates change in methods by key figures)
o 7 MK & ANC hanged after 1960s trials – shows gov felt threatened
o Continued after period (Wankie Campaign 1967, Sipolilo Campaign 1968)
However…
- Armed struggle limited (no bases, PAC & Poqo more radical than MK – not ANC)
- Short-term, suppressed (8th April Unlawful Organisations)
- 1948-64 foundations laid for future changes, however gov. suppression prevented any real changes in
methods during period (especially following Rivonia 1963-64)
P2: Internal focus attracting international attention
- 1960 Tambo ‘external mission’
o USSR & Swedish funding
o UN NY – resolution for release of political prisoners
- Cultural boycotts
o FIFA 1963, 1962 Dennis Brutus SA Non-Racial Olympic Committee 1964 Olympics
Marked distinct shift – trend continued into 1970s (1977 Gleneagles)
- Economic activity
o 1959 ANC call for sanctions, 1959 boycott (sherry, Guardian, Observer)
o 1962 imports/exports, 1963 arms embargo, 1964 Harold Wilson Britain impose
Arguably due to ANC (called for sanctions 1959)
However…
- Cannot be credited to ANC
o Tambo didn’t participate formally in AAM
o Most followed Sharpeville (1st April 1960 UN resolution) – PAC not ANC
- International activity only significant shift in 1970s
o Measures = voluntary, SA not isolated (economic activity continued, western ties vs
communism)
P3: Didn’t change
- Violence not a new strategy
o Mandela & Sisulu claim discussed 1952,
o Existed earlier, e.g. East London 1952
- Mass action earlier (1952 Defiance Campaign), only decreased due to gov suppression- not change in
methods simply adaptation to circumstances
o Despite this, still continued – 1961 ‘stay at home’ campaign
