South Africa Apartheid Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

South Africa Apartheid - Essay Example "the doctrine of Marxian socialism" is one "which aims at the establishment of a despotic system of government" and "which aims at bringing about any political, industrial, social, or economic change within the Union by the promotion of disturbance or disorder, by unlawful acts or omissions or by the threat of such acts or omissions or by means which include the promotion of disturbance or disorder, or such acts or omissions or threats."4 Besides outlawing the Communist Party, the Act authorized the outlawing of "any other organization . . . which engaged in activities calculated to further the achievement of any of the objects of Communism."5 The end of 1950s marked a difficult period for the ANC. The South African government stepped up banning and imprisonment to restrict action and protest. In a long, drawn-out trial set up by the government, many Congress leaders were charged with treason. Although the trial ended with acquittals for all who had been charged, it used up many of the resources of the Congress in terms of money and lawyers, and diverted the Congress from its principal mission. Before the massacre, On March 18, Sobukwe called a press conference, announcing that two weeks earlier he had written Lutuli, inviting the ANC to join in the campaign under the banner "service, sacrifice, suffering." 6 On March 20, 1960, Sobukwe announced a national 'anti-pass" campaign to be held on March 21, 1960, in which his followers were to surrender themselves at police stations without passes under the slogan "no bail, no defense, no fines." It was hoped that by insisting on arrest, the defiers would clog the jails, halt industry by their absence as workers, and thus force the government to accede to their demands. The leaders were to be in the... Besides outlawing the Communist Party, the Act authorized the outlawing of "any other organization . . . which engaged in activities calculated to further the achievement of any of the objects of Communism." The end of 1950s marked a difficult period for the ANC. The South African government stepped up banning and imprisonment to restrict action and protest. In a long, drawn-out trial set up by the government, many Congress leaders were charged with treason. Although the trial ended with acquittals for all who had been charged, it used up many of the resources of the Congress in terms of money and lawyers, and diverted the Congress from its principal mission. Before the massacre, On March 18, Sobukwe called a press conference, announcing that two weeks earlier he had written Lutuli, inviting the ANC to join in the campaign under the banner "service, sacrifice, suffering." On March 20, 1960, Sobukwe announced a national ‘anti-pass† campaign to be held on March 21, 1960, in which his followers were to surrender themselves at police stations without passes under the slogan "no bail, no defense, no fines." It was hoped that by insisting on arrest, the defiers would clog the jails, halt industry by their absence as workers, and thus force the government to accede to their demands. The leaders were to be in the forefront, inspiring the masses by their example of sacrifice. The PAC felt that the ANC's leaders had hung back at critical times, when the masses were prepared to forge ahead .