African Radicalisation 1960-64 Flashcards
(24 cards)
What was the MK?
Umkhonto We Sizwe, military wing of the ANC. Started in June 1961
- aimed to avoid loss of life and attack gov buildings.
SACP and SAIC joined
Where were the MK attacks and how many?
Bombings of gov buildings in Durban and Port Elizabeth
200 MK attacks in 18 months
Why the armed struggle?
- Gov responded to peaceful protests (Sharpeville) violently, so they set the tone.
Activits were deceived, e.g. Philip Ksonga was guaranteed immunity but then arrested. - Increased militancy demand, e.g. East Pondoland couldn’t compete with the military
Training and funding from DDR, China and USSR
- 1961, 5 men sent to China for guerilla warfare
What was Poqo and its organisation?
Military wing of the PAC
Aimed to hurt opposition, organised in cells to prevent infiltration.
1962 Paarl Attack
250 poqo supporters with weapons attacked, killing two young whites
Other attacks by Poqo
- 1963 a white family in a caravan was killed by a transkei Poqo cell
- Some groups planned to blow up luxury train line between Pretoria ad Cape Town
How did the armed struggle end?
By 1964, many had been arrested and the leaders were indecisive as in which direction to go. A Poqo cell was infiltrated, arresting many.
Armed struggle couldn’t be sustained due to lack of training and no base in SA.
Mandela prior to Rivonia Trial
Worked undercover as a black chauffeur, known as the Black Pimpernel, he lived at Lilisleaf Farm.
In 1962, he went on a tour around Africa and Britain, upon arrival he was arrested for incitement to strike and no passport. Sentenced to 5 years at Robben Island.
What happened at lilisleaf farm?
1963, police raided Lilisleaf Farm and found 250 document and guns linked to MK and ANC.
What occured at the Rivonia Trial?
- Many leaders were sentenced among them were: Mandela, Sisulu and others, accused of incitement to cause a violent revolution.
- Huge audience, Mandela did a 4 hour speech admitting to charges and defending armed struggle.
- Took 3 weeks for judge to decide on life imprisonment.
International Reaction to Rivonia trial
- UN called South Africa to release all defendants
- dockworkers around the world refused to handle SA goods
- Brezhnev, US congressmen and Uk MPs asked SA to be more lenient
Who was Joe Slovo?
Communist in exile in the UK who had strong links to the USSR
Member of the revolutionary council
Funding and Support from USSR to ANC
85% of ANC revenues came from the USSR
Huge grants of $300,000 (1963) and $560,000 (1965)
East Germany, USSR and Bulgaria offered training facilities.
MK attacks 1963-73
No MK attacks from 1963-73 as the ANC regrouped in exile in Tanzania and Mozambique.
Who was Oliver Tambo?
Exile in the UK, worked to improve international image of the ANC.
Invited to the UN in NYC, spoke out about political prisoners
Secured non-military funding from Sweden
What is the AAM?
Anti-apartheid Movement set up in London in 1960.
Struggled to find widespread support
Who was E.S. Reddy?
Indian in the UN who spoke out against Apartheid.
1963 created the commission against apartheid and became the 1st Secretary
Countries that offered anti-apartheid support?
Sweden gave direct support
Netherlands, Canada and USA had anti-apartheid protests
Support in Africa?
Only Tanzania offered 4 training camps.
Although Organisation for African Unity set up in 1963
Banning from international sports
Banned from Fifa on 1963
Excluded from 1964 Olympics
1970 proposal for an all black team for World Cup rejected.
Basil D’Oliveira
Black cricket player, selected for the 1968 English national team for a tour in South Africa, however couldn’t play. But when a player got injured, he played and the tour got called off.
What was decided in the Morogoro Conference of 1969?
- Re-emphasised the importance of armed struggle and set up the Revolutionary Council to direct it
- Recognised SACP support/funding to the ANC
- ANC multi-racial but top positions only for blacks
- Focus on increasing African support but against Black Consciousness movement
Where and how many were at the Morogoro Conference?
Held in Tanzania and attended by over 70 delegates
Potlako Leballo and failed Poqo attack
Potlako Leballo planned a mass uprising in 1963 to kill whites, however it was discovered and 2,000 were arrested.
Leballo resigned in 1969.
