Modern History · Year 11 · Decolonisation and New Nations · Term 4

Resistance to Apartheid: ANC and Mandela

Examine the anti-Apartheid movement, the role of the African National Congress (ANC), and Nelson Mandela's leadership.

• ACARA Content Descriptions
• AC9HI805
• AC9HI806

About This Topic

Students examine the anti-Apartheid movement in South Africa, focusing on the African National Congress (ANC) and Nelson Mandela's leadership. They analyze diverse resistance forms, including the 1952 Defiance Campaign, 1955 Freedom Charter, passive resistance, boycotts, and the shift to armed struggle through Umkhonto we Sizwe after the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre. Mandela's 1962 arrest, Rivonia Trial speech, and 27 years on Robben Island underscore his role as a unifying symbol amid repression.

This content aligns with the Australian Curriculum's Year 11 Modern History unit on Decolonisation and New Nations, supporting AC9HI805 on movements for rights and freedoms, and AC9HI806 on decolonisation processes. Students address key questions by evaluating resistance strategies' effectiveness, Mandela's imprisonment impact, and international pressures like UN resolutions, sports boycotts, and economic sanctions that isolated the regime.

Active learning suits this topic well. Role-plays of trials or negotiations let students embody perspectives, while collaborative source analysis reveals strategy shifts and global links. These methods build empathy, critical evaluation skills, and connections to modern human rights struggles.

Key Questions

1. Analyze the various forms of resistance employed by the anti-Apartheid movement.
2. Evaluate the significance of Nelson Mandela's leadership and imprisonment.
3. Explain how international pressure contributed to the eventual dismantling of Apartheid.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the effectiveness of different resistance strategies employed by the anti-Apartheid movement, such as the Defiance Campaign and the shift to armed struggle.
• Evaluate the impact of Nelson Mandela's leadership and imprisonment on the global anti-Apartheid movement.
• Explain the role of international pressure, including sanctions and boycotts, in the dismantling of Apartheid.
• Compare the goals and methods of the African National Congress (ANC) with other anti-Apartheid organizations.
• Synthesize information from primary and secondary sources to construct an argument about the key factors leading to the end of Apartheid.

Before You Start

Causes of World War I

Why: Students should have an understanding of nationalism and the complex interplay of political and social factors that can lead to conflict and significant societal change.

The Russian Revolution

Why: Familiarity with revolutionary movements, ideological struggles, and the impact of political leadership on societal transformation provides a foundation for understanding the anti-Apartheid movement.

Basic Concepts of Colonialism and Imperialism

Why: Understanding the historical context of European colonization in Africa is essential for grasping the origins and nature of Apartheid.

Key Vocabulary

Apartheid	A system of institutionalised racial segregation and discrimination enforced in South Africa from 1948 to 1994.
African National Congress (ANC)	A political party in South Africa founded in 1912, which played a leading role in the struggle against Apartheid.
Sharpeville Massacre	A 1960 event where South African police opened fire on unarmed protestors, killing 69 people and leading to a ban on the ANC.
Rivonia Trial	A trial in 1963-1964 where Nelson Mandela and other ANC leaders were prosecuted for sabotage and conspiracy to overthrow the government.
Umkhonto we Sizwe	The armed wing of the ANC, formed in 1961, which engaged in acts of sabotage against government infrastructure.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Mandela alone ended Apartheid.

What to Teach Instead

The ANC's collective efforts, other leaders like Oliver Tambo, and international pressure were crucial. Group jigsaws on contributions help students distribute credit accurately and debate individual vs. collective agency.

Common Misconception

ANC resistance started with violence.

What to Teach Instead

It began with non-violent campaigns like the Defiance Campaign before Sharpeville prompted armed response. Timeline activities in small groups clarify the evolution and contextual reasons for shifts.

Common Misconception

Mandela's release immediately dismantled Apartheid.

What to Teach Instead

Negotiations lasted years amid violence. Role-play simulations allow students to explore ongoing tensions and compromises, fostering nuanced views of historical processes.

Active Learning Ideas

Jigsaw: Forms of Resistance

Divide class into expert groups on non-violent protests, boycotts, armed struggle, and international solidarity. Each group analyzes sources and creates a summary poster with evidence. Groups then reform to teach peers, followed by whole-class synthesis discussion.

50 min·Small Groups

Role-Play: Rivonia Trial

Assign roles as prosecutors, defense, Mandela, and witnesses. Groups prepare arguments using trial transcripts and Mandela's speech. Conduct mock trial with cross-examinations, then debrief on leadership themes and resistance justification.

45 min·Small Groups

Gallery Walk: International Pressure

Students create posters on sanctions, cultural boycotts, and UN actions using primary sources. Pairs rotate through gallery, adding sticky notes with connections to ANC efforts. Conclude with pairs sharing insights on Apartheid's end.

40 min·Pairs

Think-Pair-Share: Mandela's Significance

Pose question on Mandela's leadership impact. Students think individually for 2 minutes, discuss in pairs for 5 minutes citing evidence, then share with class. Teacher charts responses to evaluate consensus.

20 min·Pairs

Real-World Connections

• International relations experts and diplomats continue to study the strategies used during the anti-Apartheid movement to inform current diplomatic efforts and sanctions against oppressive regimes.
• Human rights lawyers and advocates draw lessons from the Rivonia Trial and Mandela's defense to build cases for justice and equality in contemporary legal and political contexts.
• The United Nations Human Rights Council monitors global human rights situations, referencing historical struggles like Apartheid to inform its resolutions and recommendations for member states.

Assessment Ideas

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'Was armed struggle a necessary and justified tactic for the ANC after peaceful protests were met with violence?' Facilitate a debate where students must cite evidence from the period to support their arguments, considering the Sharpeville Massacre and the formation of Umkhonto we Sizwe.

Exit Ticket

Ask students to write on an index card: 'One specific action taken by the international community against Apartheid was _____. This action was significant because _____.' Collect and review responses to gauge understanding of international pressure.

Quick Check

Present students with a short primary source quote from either Nelson Mandela or an anti-Apartheid activist. Ask them to identify the main message of the quote and connect it to a specific resistance strategy discussed in class.

Frequently Asked Questions

What were the main forms of resistance used by the ANC?

The ANC employed non-violent methods first, such as the Defiance Campaign against pass laws and the Freedom Charter for equality. After Sharpeville, they formed Umkhonto we Sizwe for sabotage. Students benefit from source-based timelines to sequence these and assess adaptability against state violence.

How significant was Nelson Mandela's leadership and imprisonment?

Mandela symbolized defiance through his Rivonia Trial speech and endurance on Robben Island, inspiring global support. His release in 1990 enabled negotiations. Analyzing speeches in pairs helps students weigh his personal role against the broader movement.

What role did international pressure play in ending Apartheid?

Sanctions, divestment, sports and cultural boycotts isolated South Africa economically and morally. UN arms embargoes and campaigns amplified ANC voices. Gallery walks with global sources show students how external forces complemented internal resistance.

How can active learning help teach the anti-Apartheid movement?

Role-plays of trials or negotiations immerse students in moral complexities, building empathy for resisters. Jigsaws on resistance forms promote expertise sharing and synthesis. These collaborative methods make abstract strategies concrete, enhance critical analysis of sources, and link history to current rights issues, deepening retention and engagement.