What major event is known as a turning point in the anti-apartheid movement due to the killing of 60 protesters?

The Sharpeville Massacre is recognized as a pivotal event in the anti-apartheid movement primarily due to the tragic killing of 60 unarmed protesters by police on March 21, 1960. This incident highlighted the brutal lengths to which the apartheid regime would go to suppress dissent and drew international attention to the injustices occurring in South Africa.

The response to the incident galvanized widespread outrage both domestically and internationally, prompting many to take a stronger stance against apartheid and signal a shift in how the anti-apartheid struggle was perceived globally. As a result, the Sharpeville Massacre became symbolic of the oppressive measures employed by the apartheid government and served to unify various factions within the anti-apartheid movement, ultimately leading to increased activism and resistance.

In contrast, while the Soweto Riots also marked a significant moment in the anti-apartheid struggle, they occurred later in 1976 and were driven by student protests against the imposition of Afrikaans as the language of instruction in schools. The Rivonia Trial, occurring after Sharpeville, represented another key moment, as it showcased the trials of anti-apartheid leaders but lacked the immediate and widespread outrage that followed Sharpeville. Police brutality manifests in various forms