Evaluate the importance of Sharpeville to the struggle against apartheid.

The question requires that candidates make an appraisal by weighing up the strengths and limitations of the importance of the Sharpeville massacre in the struggle against apartheid. Candidates may consider material from inside and outside South Africa in their response. Internally, Sharpeville resulted in large increases in internal protests, strikes and other forms of opposition. The banning of the African National Congress and Pan Africanist Congress began the move from peaceful protest to armed struggle, increased white opposition to apartheid and emigration by white South Africans and the political militancy of African women. It may have hardened support for apartheid amongst some whites. Externally, Sharpeville resulted in widespread condemnation of South Africa at the UN, expulsion from the Commonwealth as well as a decline in investment and immigration. These factors may be seen to have increased the pressure on South Africa to change its policies as it might suffer increasing isolation from the world.