SHARPEVILLE MASSACRE Meaning and
Definition
-
The Sharpeville Massacre refers to a tragic incident that occurred on March 21, 1960, in the township of Sharpeville, South Africa. This event marked a significant turning point in the struggle against apartheid, a system of racial segregation and discrimination enforced by the government at the time.
The massacre unfolded when thousands of unarmed Black South Africans gathered peacefully in front of the Sharpeville police station to protest against the discriminatory "pass laws." These laws required Black people to carry identification documents or "passes" that regulated their movement and limited their access to certain areas. The protesters intended to present themselves for arrest as an act of civil disobedience.
However, the demonstration quickly turned violent when the South African police opened fire on the crowd. The police continued shooting even as people tried to flee, resulting in the deaths of 69 protesters and the injury of over 180 individuals. Most of the victims were shot in the back, indicating that they were retreating when they were shot.
The Sharpeville Massacre had profound consequences for South Africa and the anti-apartheid movement. It brought global attention to the brutalities of the apartheid regime, significantly escalated domestic and international pressure against the government, and energized the resistance movement. This tragic event served as a catalyst for the eventual dismantling of apartheid and the eventual attainment of democracy in South Africa.
Etymology of SHARPEVILLE MASSACRE
The word "Sharpeville Massacre" derives from the place where the tragic event took place - the township of Sharpeville in South Africa. On March 21, 1960, during the era of apartheid, thousands of South Africans gathered peacefully to protest against the discriminatory pass laws imposed by the apartheid regime. The pass laws restricted the movement and residency of black South Africans and were seen as a symbol of the systemic racial oppression of apartheid.
Tragically, the protest turned violent when police opened fire on the crowd, killing 69 people and injuring more than 180. The event shocked the world and marked a turning point in the anti-apartheid struggle, galvanizing both domestic and international opposition against the apartheid regime.
The word "Sharpeville" refers to the township itself, which was named after John Lillman Sharpe, an Englishman who owned land in the area during the 19th century.
