Nelson Mandela
by Paige Wallat
Life and Accomplishments of Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela was a very influential person in the fight for anti-apartheid. Mandela was born a rebellious child, and this trait stayed with him throughout his life. He joined the ANC in 1944, and formed the ANC Youth League, which he eventually became the president of. He believed that the peaceful protests were becoming dangerous for the ANC people and they needed to turn to violence to defend themselves. Mandela had a huge influence in creating civil disobedience throughout the country. Mandela played a part in the defiance campaign, the creation of the Freedom Charter, and the Treason Trial. Mandela's drafting of the "M Plan" was the ANC's first move to armed resistence. He was on the run from law enforcement for several years. In these years, he was involved with the MK, and getting training for exiled rebels through the MK. He was arrested again once he returned to South Africa. He was then sentenced to life in prison during the Rivonia Trial. He was let out early and became the first black president of South Afirca from 1994-1999.
Significance to Anti-Apartheid Movement
Mandela played an irreplaceable role in the anti-apartheid movement. He was the primary leader in bringing armed resistance to the anti-aparteid movement and was in charge of organizing civil disobedience throughout the country. The overall role he played in bringing an armed struggle to the movement could be argued to be the reason that the apartheid age in South Africa came to an end. His impact on South Africa continued after the apartheid struggle ended as he was the first black president of South Africa.
The Speech Below was given after Mandela was sentenced to life in prison in the Rivonia Trial
Nelson Mandela, 1964: 'I am prepared to die' - audio recording of speech at sabotage trial
Works Cited
"Nelson Mandela, 1964: 'I Am Prepared to Die' - Audio Recording of Speech at Sabotage Trial." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2015.
"Nelson Mandela: Champion of Freedom Video." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2015.
Rogers M. and Peter Clinton. Oxford IB Diploma Programme: Rights and Protest. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2015
"Young Nelson Mandela...One of the Trillest." OnThaBubble. N.p., 06 Dec. 2013. Web. 15 Nov. 2015.