Tactics of Last Resort: From Peaceful to Violent Protest

Mandela had long supported non-violent protest against apartheid. In 1961, however, he co-founded the MK to act as the armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC). He arrived at this striking reversal in methods only because it was forced upon him. Events like the Sharpeville Massacre, where police used lethal force on peaceful protesters, and the banning of the ANC in 1960 convinced Mandela that the anti-apartheid movement was at risk of utter defeat unless it resorted to violence.

Despite the circumstances, Mandela was committed to avoiding any human casualties in his new efforts. Thus, he planned to begin with acts of sabotage that targeted buildings rather than people. This was an important strategic decision, as it would undermine the power of the system without brining condemnation upon them for killing innocent people. This distinction did not prevent him from being labeled a terrorist by the South African government, but it nevertheless was important for the image of the movement.

In the end, one can see that Mandela formed the MK only as a direct response to the failure of peaceful means of protest. Shifting to violence was thus able to keep the anti-apartheid movement alive until conditions after his release from prison in 1990 enabled a peaceful resolution.