HISTORY Grade 11 Sharpeville Massacre slides .pptx

Causes and events, and effects of the Sharpeville Massacre

1. HISTORY GRADE 11 28 AUGUST 2025

2. LESSON OBJECTIVES BY THE END OF THE LESSON, LEARNERS MUST BE ABLE TO: Identify the causes of the Sharpeville Massacre Explain the key events of the Sharpeville Massacre Analyse the impact of the Sharpeville massacre on individuals, communities and South African history

3. “ While we wer e standing there and singing, we suddenly saw police in a row, pointing their guns at us. Whilst we were still singing , without any word, without any argument, we just heard the guns being fired.” - Lydia Mahabuke

4. In your own words, what do you a massacre is? CODE: 4323 8993 https://www.mentimeter.com/app/presentation/al5h2qeare5j5rnh84zhr73fkp2in4k2/edit?source=share-invite-modal

5. Causes of the Sharpeville Massacre The Pass Laws required all black people over the age of 16 to carry a passbook. Police could stop people and ask for their pass at any time, if they did not have their pass (or it didn’t have the right stamp in it), they could (or would) jail them. The government said that the passes were necessary because black people did not have the right to live in cities – they only had permission to be in the cities for work. The Pan Africanist Congress organized anti-pass protests on 21 March 1960

6. Events of the Sharpeville Massacre On the 21 st of March 1960, the Pan Africanist Congress organized a protest against the pass laws. Still with the method of non-violent protest, they planned to march to the local police station, hand in their passes, and give themselves up for arrest. This would flood the jails and leave no one doing any work, so that the country would suffer. They believed that the government would be compelled to abolish the passes. A large crowd gathered outside the police station at Sharpeville (near Vereeniging). Police opened fire on the crowd that had gathered – as people turned to run away, the police continued shooting. By the end of the day, 69 people had been killed, and 180 wounded.

7. Domestic impact of the Sharpeville Massacre Escalation of Resistance: The massacre marked a turning point in the anti-apartheid movement, with many organizations shifting from peaceful protests to armed resistance. Banning of Anti-Apartheid Organizations: The South African government banned anti-apartheid organizations, including the African National Congress (ANC) and the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC). Increased Repression: The government increased its repression of anti-apartheid activists, leading to a period of intense state violence and human rights abuses. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

8. International impact Global Condemnation : The Sharpeville Massacre led to widespread international condemnation of the apartheid regime, with many countries imposing economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation. UN Sanctions : The United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 134, condemning the massacre and calling for an end to apartheid. Increased Awareness : The massacre raised global awareness about the brutality of apartheid, leading to increased activism and solidarity movements worldwide.  

9. Long-term impact End of Apartheid: The Sharpeville Massacre was a significant factor in the eventual collapse of the apartheid regime, as international pressure and internal resistance mounted. Democratization: The massacre paved the way for South Africa’s transition to democracy, with the country’s first democratic elections held in 1994. Legacy of Resistance: The Sharpeville Massacre serves as a powerful symbol of resistance against oppression, inspiring social justice movements globally. Human Rights Day (21 March) is now commemorated in democratic South Africa Remembering Sharpeville - YouTube

10. Activity: Sharpeville Massacre Crossword Puzzle https://puzzel.org/en/crossword/play?p=-OYe9mx-Uf02Q9e0Ux6D

11. THANK YOU!!