Opposition to the Apartheid regime c.1960s

Introduction: The Struggle Intensifies

Welcome! In this section, we are diving into a crucial period in South African history: the 1960s. This was a decade of high stakes and dramatic change. You will learn how the Apartheid government tried to tighten its grip on the country and how ordinary people, led by brave figures like Nelson Mandela, decided that peaceful protest was no longer enough.

By the end of these notes, you’ll understand why the 1960s was a "turning point" where the struggle for freedom moved from speeches and marches to a more dangerous, "armed" conflict. Don't worry if it seems like a lot of names and laws at first—we'll break it down together!

1. Tightening the Grip: Separate Development

By the 1960s, the government wasn't just separating people; they were trying to redraw the map of South Africa. This was called Separate Development.

The Bantustans (Homelands)

The government created Bantustans. These were ten small areas of land set aside for Black South Africans.

The Goal: The government wanted to claim that Black people weren't actually citizens of South Africa, but citizens of these "homelands." This meant the government didn't have to give them rights or services in the "white" parts of the country.

Think of it like this: Imagine if a school told you that you were no longer a student there, but a "visitor" from a school five miles away, even though you’ve never been there. Suddenly, you lose your right to vote in the school council or use the library!

Support and Maintenance

Why did some people support this? Many White South Africans supported Apartheid because they feared losing their economic privileges and their political power. The government used several methods to keep control:

• Censorship: Controlling what people saw on the news or read in books.
• Banning Orders: A person could be "banned," meaning they couldn't speak to more than one person at a time or leave their house.
• Police Power: The police had the power to arrest people and hold them without a trial.

Quick Review: The Government's Plan

Separate Development: Moving Black people into Bantustans.
Goal: To make South Africa officially "white" and remove the rights of Black citizens.

Key Takeaway: The 1960s saw the government attempt to make Apartheid permanent by stripping Black South Africans of their citizenship through the Bantustan system.

2. The Sharpeville Massacre (1960)

This is one of the most important events in your study. It changed everything.

What Happened?

On 21 March 1960, a group called the PAC (Pan Africanist Congress) organized a peaceful protest against Pass Laws (the laws that forced Black people to carry identity books at all times).

In a township called Sharpeville, a large crowd gathered outside a police station without their passbooks, inviting the police to arrest them. The police panicked and opened fire on the crowd.

• 69 people were killed.
• Most were shot in the back while running away.

The Impact: Why was it a turning point?

1. International Outcry: Photos of the massacre were seen worldwide. Other countries began to criticize South Africa and call for sanctions (punishing the country economically).
2. The State of Emergency: The government declared a State of Emergency, arresting thousands.
3. Banning the ANC and PAC: Both major resistance groups were made illegal. They could no longer operate openly.

Did you know? Today, 21 March is celebrated as Human Rights Day in South Africa to remember those who died at Sharpeville.

Key Takeaway: Sharpeville showed the world the violence of Apartheid and convinced many activists that peaceful protest was failing.

3. Resistance Moves Underground

With the ANC (African National Congress) and PAC banned, leaders had to make a difficult choice: give up or fight back with force.

The Move to Armed Struggle

The ANC had followed the Freedom Charter (a 1955 document calling for a non-racial, democratic South Africa) through peaceful means for years. After Sharpeville, they decided they needed an "armed wing."

Two Groups to Know:

1. Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK): This was the ANC’s armed wing, led by Nelson Mandela. It means "Spear of the Nation."
Strategy: They focused on sabotage—blowing up empty government buildings, power stations, and post offices. They tried not to kill people, but to hurt the government's wallet and pride.

2. Poqo: This was the PAC’s armed wing.
Strategy: They were more radical and used direct violence against people, including white civilians and Black people they considered "traitors" (collaborators).

Memory Aid: MK vs. Poqo

MK (ANC): Targeted Machines and Key buildings (Sabotage).
Poqo (PAC): Targeted People.

Key Takeaway: The 1960s saw resistance change from civil disobedience (peaceful law-breaking) to armed struggle (sabotage and violence).

4. The Rivonia Trial (1963–1964)

The government eventually caught up with the leaders of the MK.

The Capture

In 1963, police raided a farm in Rivonia, where they found MK leaders and documents planning for a guerrilla war. Nelson Mandela and others were put on trial for sabotage and treason.

Mandela’s Famous Speech

During the trial, Mandela didn't beg for mercy. Instead, he gave a famous speech from the dock. He said he was fighting for a society where all races lived together in harmony. He ended with the famous words: "It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die."

Consequences

Mandela and seven others were sentenced to life imprisonment on Robben Island.

The Result for the Movement: With its leaders in prison or in exile (living in other countries), the resistance inside South Africa became very quiet for a few years. It looked like the government had won.

Common Mistake to Avoid

Many students think Mandela was arrested specifically for the Sharpeville Massacre. This is incorrect! He was arrested for his role in organizing the MK and for the sabotage plans found at Rivonia.

Key Takeaway: The Rivonia Trial removed the top leadership of the ANC, but it also made Nelson Mandela a global symbol of the fight against injustice.

Final Quick Review Box

1960: Sharpeville Massacre (69 killed); Pass Law protest turns violent.
1961: ANC forms MK (Spear of the Nation) to start sabotage campaigns.
1963-64: Rivonia Trial; Mandela and leaders sent to Robben Island for life.
Separate Development: The government's plan to use Bantustans to keep races apart and deny Black people their rights.

Don't worry if this seems tricky at first! Just remember that the 1960s was the decade where things got "serious"—the government got more oppressive, and the protestors got more radical. You've got this!