TWE was Sharpeville a turning point in the struggle against Apartheid?
Intro:
- Sharpeville Massacre, 21st March 1960, 5,000 gathered, 69 killed, 187 injured
- Hugely significant: was turning point predominantly as sparked international outcry, some argue was
also turning point as marked start of armed struggle but this is less convincing
P1: Turning point as brought international attention to apartheid
- Condemnation following Sharpeville
o 1st April 1960, UNSC resolution condemning Sharpeville & calling for apartheid reversal
Directly mentioned Sharpeville
o Unlike previous events, well-reported & photographed
o Shocked world, police kicking/killing wounded, international condemnation
- International Action
o Global AAM founded London 1960
o Special Committee Against Apartheid founded 1963
o SA excluded by FIFA from international football 1963
Result of Sharpeville because: occurred after Sharpeville, event = significant (69
died, 5,000 gathered)
- Gov repression increased, perhaps felt Sharpeville would spark opposition
o 30th March 1960, gov declared State of Emergency, thousands arrested, Unlawful
Organisations Act 8th April
Implies gov = threatened
- International attention significant because…
o Multifaceted, harmed Afrikaners/whites, opposition more severe/widespread
o Eventually made gov realise apartheid was unfeasible
- However…
o Possible to overstate international attention in 1960
Continued ‘constructive engagement’
UN condemnation useless without action – action only really began following
Rivonia Trial (credit attributed to other factors)
P2: Turning point as marked shift of opposition into armed struggle
- Organized by PAC (branch founded 1959) – grass roots organizational opposition
- Sustained change: ANC & PAC radicalized after 1960
o Before 1960, predominantly non-violent profile
o Most likely as were banned April 1960 (Unlawful Organisations Act 8 th April 1960) following
Sharpeville, so had to rethink strategies therefore directly due to Sharpeville itself
o June 1961, ANC explicitly decide on armed struggle
uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) - 16th December 1961, Dingaan’s Day
Poqo 1961 – 1962 Paarl march, 1963 Mbashe Brisge killings
- Armed struggle significant because…
o Brought attention to apartheid, targeted gov/whites directly
o Later violence led to gov seeking apartheid end
