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Aftermath of the Sharpeville Massacre, 21st March 2960 - Coggle Diagram
Aftermath of the Sharpeville Massacre,
21st March 2960
International Consequences
News on massacre was reported worldwide, and received with horror from every quarter.
Prior to the massacre had already been criticized harshly by other countries; this only served to fuel more anti-Apartheid sentiment.
United Nations Security Council and governments worldwide condemned the police action and the apartheid policies
ANC Vice President (Oliver Tambo) and SAIC/SACP chairman (Dr. Yusuf Dadoo) driven across the border into British controlled Bechunaland.
Both were tasked with mobilizing international financial and diplomatic support for sanctions against South Africa.
International sympathy lay with the African people, leading to an economic slump as international investors withdrew from South Africa
Reaction and actions of black South Africans as a whole
The call for a “stay away” on 28 March was highly successful and was the first ever national strike in the country’s history.
In Cape Town, an estimated 95% of the African population and a substantial number of the Coloured community joined the stay away.
Reaction of the South African Government
Dr. Verwoerd praised the police for their actions.
Robert Sobukwe and other leaders were arrested and detained after the Sharpeville massacre, some for nearly three years after the incident.
In the aftermath of the events of 21 March, mass funerals were held for the victims. On 24 March 1960, in protest of the massacre, Regional Secretary General of the PAC, Philip Kgosana, led a march of 101 people
By the 25 March, the Minister of Justice suspended passes throughout the country and Chief Albert Luthuli and Professor Z.K. Matthews called on all South Africans to mark a national day of mourning for the victims on the 28 March.
on 30 March 1960, Kgosana led a PAC march of between 30,000-50,000 protestors
On the same day, the government responded by declaring a state of emergency and banning all public meetings.
A week after the state of emergency was declared the ANC and the PAC were banned under the Unlawful Organisations Act of 8 April 1960.
Impact on anti-Apartheid leaders
on 30 March 1960, Kgosana led a PAC march of between 30 000-50 000 protestors from Langa and Nyanga to the police headquarters in Caledon Square.
Along with other PAC leaders he was charged with incitement, but while on bail he left the country and went into exile.
Sharpeville + govt. reaction convinced the anti-apartheid leadership that non-violent action was not going to bring about change without armed action.
Consequences for the ANC and PAC
A week after the state of emergency was declared the ANC and the PAC were banned under the Unlawful Organisations Act of 8 April 1960.
Both organisations were deemed a serious threat to the safety of the public and the vote stood at 128 to 16 in favour of the banning.
The ANC and PAC were forced underground, and both parties launched military wings of their organisations in 1961.