6.5 - African National Congress: Origins, Evolution to 1948
Key facts and dates
The African National Congress (ANC), originally founded as the South African Native National Congress, is Africa's oldest liberation movement, playing a pivotal role in the struggle against racial oppression in South Africa. The following timeline captures the critical events in its early history and evolution up to 1948.
Timeline of key events
- 1912 – ANC founded as the South African Native National Congress to defend African rights.
- 1913 – Opposition to the Natives Land Act, a key early campaign against land segregation.
- 1914-1918 – Support for African troops in WWI, hoping for political concessions.
- 1920s – Period of relative inactivity and limited mass engagement.
- 1944 – Formation of the ANC Youth League by younger activists like Nelson Mandela.
- 1948 – National Party victory in the election introduces apartheid, prompting ANC militancy.
- 1949 – ANC Youth League's Programme of Action adopted, advocating mass action.
Founding and early goals of the African National Congress
The African National Congress (ANC), initially named the South African Native National Congress, was established in 1912 as a response to growing racial discrimination and disenfranchisement of African people in South Africa. It emerged at a time when colonial policies increasingly restricted African rights, marking it as Africa's oldest liberation movement.
Core objectives at inception
- Defending land rights - The ANC sought to protect African access to land, which was under threat from discriminatory legislation that limited ownership and usage.
- Opposing pass laws - These laws required Africans to carry identification documents, severely restricting their movement and freedom, and the ANC aimed to abolish them.
- Advocating political representation - The organisation pushed for Africans to have a voice in governance, seeking inclusion in political processes from which they were excluded.
- Constitutional methods - Initially, the ANC relied on peaceful, legal strategies such as petitions and appeals to authorities to achieve its aims, reflecting a belief in dialogue within the existing system.
Leadership and initial character of the ANC
The early leadership of the ANC was composed of an educated African elite, reflecting a narrow social base that limited its reach among the broader population. This elitist character shaped its early strategies and outlook.
Key founding figures and organisational nature
- John Dube (first president) - A respected educator and clergyman, Dube led the ANC with a focus on moderate, constitutional reform, emphasising education and moral upliftment as paths to equality.
- Pixley ka Isaka Seme (co-founder) - As a lawyer and intellectual, Seme was instrumental in uniting various African groups under the ANC banner, advocating for a unified national voice.
- Elitist composition - The leadership largely consisted of mission-educated Africans, professionals, and clergy, who were disconnected from the rural and working-class majority, resulting in a limited mass base.
- Strategic implications - This elite focus meant the ANC initially prioritised formal appeals over grassroots mobilisation, addressing colonial authorities directly rather than building widespread popular support.
Key early campaigns and challenges up to the 1920s
In its formative years, the ANC undertook several significant campaigns to resist oppressive policies, though it faced challenges in gaining traction. This period was marked by both activism and eventual stagnation.
Major early initiatives and obstacles
- Opposition to the 1913 Natives Land Act - This legislation restricted African land ownership to just 7% of South Africa's territory, prompting strong ANC protests against the dispossession and economic hardship it caused.
- Delegation to Britain - The ANC sent representatives to London to appeal against segregationist policies, hoping to gain support from the British government, though these efforts yielded little success.
- Support for African troops in WWI (1914-1918) - The ANC encouraged African participation in the war effort, expecting political rewards or reforms in return, but post-war policies remained unchanged, deepening disillusionment.
- Quiescence in the 1920s - After initial activism, the ANC entered a period of relative inactivity, struggling with internal disorganisation and failing to engage a broader audience beyond its elite core, which limited its impact.
Revival in the 1940s and the role of the ANC Youth League
By the 1940s, the ANC experienced a significant revival, driven by a new generation of activists who sought to transform the organisation into a more dynamic force. This shift was catalysed by the formation of the ANC Youth League, which injected fresh energy and ideas.
Emergence of the Youth League and new direction
- Formation in 1944 - The ANC Youth League was established by younger members, including Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, and Oliver Tambo, who were frustrated with the older leadership's cautious approach.
- Push for mass mobilisation - Unlike the earlier elite focus, the Youth League aimed to involve the wider African population, believing that only large-scale participation could challenge systemic oppression.
- Programme of Action (1949) - This key document outlined a more assertive strategy, committing the ANC to tactics such as strikes, boycotts, and civil disobedience to pressure the government, marking a departure from constitutional methods.
- Influence on ANC policy - The Youth League's radical vision gradually reshaped the broader ANC, setting the stage for a more confrontational stance against racial injustice in South Africa.
Impact of the 1948 election and shift to militant resistance
The political landscape in South Africa changed dramatically with the 1948 election, which had profound implications for the ANC's approach. The victory of the National Party and the formal introduction of apartheid galvanised the organisation into stronger opposition.
Catalysts for increased militancy
- National Party victory in 1948 - The election brought the National Party to power on a platform of apartheid, a policy of strict racial segregation and discrimination, intensifying the oppression faced by Africans.
- Formalisation of apartheid - The new government implemented laws that entrenched racial divisions, stripping Africans of basic rights and reinforcing systemic inequality, which left little room for moderate protest.
- ANC's response - The harsh realities of apartheid, combined with the Youth League's influence, pushed the ANC towards militant resistance, adopting the Programme of Action as a blueprint for active defiance.
- Foundation for future struggle - This pivotal moment marked the beginning of a more determined and organised fight against apartheid, setting the ANC on a path of sustained activism that would define its role in the decades to come.