Resisting apartheid (1958-78) Nature, development and effectiveness of resistance to apartheid Flashcards
Nelson Mandela, ANC, Biko and Black Consciousness (19 cards)
Steve Biko
- Most talented and significant black leader to attempt to fill the political vacuum from leaders of the ANC’s and PAC’s who were in prison.
- He helped appeal to the younger generation of blacks.
What did Steve Biko (Black Consciousness) do?
He was drawn to the concept of ‘Black Consciousness’ and more and more convinced that blacks should improved their lives through non-violent acts.
He co-founded SASO (South African Students’ Organisation) and the Black People’s Convention, to promote Black Consciousness in the townships and in rural areas.
Black Consciousness
It promoted liberation but stressed the responsibility of each individual black to achieve it for themselves. It also stressed the virtues of patience and non-violence, arguing that the PAC had failed due to its impatience and violence.
Aims of the Black Consciousness Movement
- Psychological Liberation - Encouraged black South Africans to reject feelings inferiority
- Political Mobilisation - Encouraged resistance towards apartheid without relying on white-led organisations
- Economic Self-Reliance - Promoted black business and independence from white-controlled economies.
Key Actions of Black Consciousness Movement
1969: SASO created
1972: SASO led protests and rallies against apartheid
1973: Biko banned from speaking and went underground
1974: Movement protested against the Portuguese rule in Mozambique and Angola
1976: Soweto Uprising
1977: Biko arrested, tortured, and killed
When did SASO and Black Consciousness Movement get Banned?
SASO: 1975
Black Consciousness Movement: 1977
Impact of the Black Consciousness Movement
- It shifted resistance tactics focussing on mental liberation and activism instead of multi-racial movements and violent acts
- Inspired the youth
- Increased state repression as the government saw Black Consciousness as a threat.
- Legacy: it inspired later anti-apartheid movements, including the ANC and international campaigns against apartheid.
Anti-pass law demonstrations
Most hated symbols of Apartheid. Protests in (1956) against the extension of the pass system to women led to 20,000 women marching in Praetoria.
Sharpeville (1960)
The forces to a protest organised by Robert Sobukwe’s PAC against the pass laws
69 killed and 180 wounded
Consequences of Sharpeville (1960)
The consequences were both domestic and international. Images of the ‘massacre’ circulated all over the world. It led to demands for the dismantling of the apartheid system.
Investors withdrew money which led to a short term economic crisis and for the next few years emigration exceeded immigration. Sparked more protests and the government declared a state of emergency
‘Spear of the Nation’ MK (1961)
MK was the name given to the militant wing of the ANC. ANC knew that peaceful protest alone would not bring about change. It sabotaged government buildings and power stations
‘Spear of the Nation’ MK achievements
Achieved almost nothing in the 1960s in terms of hurting the regime. Real significance of MK in 1960s was when they got arrested at Liliesleaf Farm which led to the Rivonia Trial
Poqo
PAC Militant wing
Targeted local chiefs that were suspected of working with white gvt
PAC
Founded by Robert Sobukwe. Broke away from ANC
Rivonia Trial
‘Trial that changed South Africa’ 10 members of the ANC put on trial for treason
Rivonia Raid
11 July 1963 security police raided headquarters of MK in Lilliesleaf Rivonia and found the evidence that the MK were conspiring with other countries and evidence of materials to make explosives
Impact of Rivonia
Large global media coverage
UN issues statements to appeal against death sentences against gvt
Oliver Tambo
Led ANC in exile as he fled SA after ANC was banned in 1960
Importance:
- Kept the ANC strong and internationally respected
- Maintained global pressure on the gvt
- Ensured that the ANC were ready to lead when Apartheid ended
