Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was the main reason for the gathering of 7,000 people outside the police station in Sharpeville on March 21st, 1960?
What was the main reason for the gathering of 7,000 people outside the police station in Sharpeville on March 21st, 1960?
What was the total number of police officers present at the scene in Sharpeville on March 21st, 1960?
What was the total number of police officers present at the scene in Sharpeville on March 21st, 1960?
What event triggered the police response of shooting into the crowd?
What event triggered the police response of shooting into the crowd?
What was the outcome of the police response to the situation in Sharpeville on March 21st, 1960?
What was the outcome of the police response to the situation in Sharpeville on March 21st, 1960?
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What was the atmosphere like in Sharpeville in the years leading up to 1960?
What was the atmosphere like in Sharpeville in the years leading up to 1960?
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What was the accusation made against the police officers on the evening of 21st March?
What was the accusation made against the police officers on the evening of 21st March?
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What was the consequence for the ANC after the Sharpeville Massacre?
What was the consequence for the ANC after the Sharpeville Massacre?
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What was the percentage of victims who were shot in the back during the Sharpeville Massacre?
What was the percentage of victims who were shot in the back during the Sharpeville Massacre?
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What happened to the injured protesters in hospitals after the massacre?
What happened to the injured protesters in hospitals after the massacre?
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What was the outcome of the investigation into the events of the Sharpeville Massacre?
What was the outcome of the investigation into the events of the Sharpeville Massacre?
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Study Notes
Sharpeville Context
- Life in Sharpeville was challenging leading up to 1960, marked by crime rates and street gang activities.
- A new police station opened in Sharpeville in 1959, increasing law enforcement presence and activities including pass checks and deportations.
March 21, 1960 Protest
- Approximately 7,000 residents gathered peacefully outside the police station to protest pass laws, intending to be arrested.
- The police force consisted of 400 officers, with reinforcements from neighboring stations, aiming to control the situation.
- The protest aimed to highlight the impracticality of arresting such a large number of individuals for pass violations.
The Incident
- Tensions escalated on the afternoon of March 21 when a protestor fired a gun into the air coinciding with a police officer's accidental trip.
- The police, mistaking the sound for shots being fired, opened fire on the crowd, leading to approximately two minutes of gunfire.
- Reports of police manipulation emerged, alleging they planted rocks and weapons on victims to mislead the press.
Aftermath of the Massacre
- A total of 69 people were confirmed dead following the police firing, with revelations that over 70% of the victims were shot in the back, indicating they were fleeing.
- The African National Congress (ANC) was declared illegal on April 8, 1960, stripping Africans of a legitimate voice against Apartheid.
- The massacre resulted in increasing tensions between police and African communities, as protests were criminalized.
Investigations and Police Actions
- Subsequent investigations could not definitively classify the police's actions as self-defense or a premeditated assault.
- Harvesting public dissent, police conducted widespread arrests in Sharpeville, targeting both protestors and injured individuals seeking medical help.
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Description
Test your knowledge about the events leading up to the tragic Sharpeville Massacre in 1960, a pivotal event in South Africa's fight against apartheid. Learn about the tensions in Sharpeville, the role of the police station, and the fateful day of March 21st. Discover the significance of this event in the struggle against apartheid.
