Answer to Question #262131 in History for Kelsey Jand

Question

Analyze this quote:

"I do not deny that I planned sabotage. I did not plan it in a spirit of recklessness nor because I have any love of violence. I planned it as a result of a calm and sober assessment of the political situation that had arisen after many years of tyranny, exploitation and oppression of my people by the whites.”

Answer 1

These were Nelson Mandela’s words from the dock during opening of his trial on charges of sabotage at the Supreme Court of South Africa. He was the leader of African National Congress and struggled against the apartheid rule in South Africa. This fight saw him being arraigned in court and in his defense, he used this statement to proof he was not guilty of the offence of organizing sabotage. He simply meant that after careful observance of the political situation and realized that the whites were oppressing the Africans is when he planned for the sabotage to ensure that Africans get fair treatment from the white people. This was because there was no other way they would succeed since all lawful methods had been closed the legislation and they were made either to accept the permanent state of inferiority or go against the government.