After the Sharpeville Massacre in March of 1961 the primary agents sponsoring the decades old South African anti-Apartheid movement, the African National Congress (ANC), agreed to suspend non-violent methods in favor of an armed combatant group called Umkhonto We Sizwe. International aid became an indispensable part of MK’s identity as an organization. Liberation movements often rely on foreign support for funding and—in the cases of armed struggle—arms and military education, because typical fundraising and educational techniques cannot be implemented under repressive state rule (such as apartheid.) Outside of Africa, the Soviet Union (USSR) proved to be a powerful ally. The Soviet / South African connection was fostered through the strong Communist Party presence which allowed for streamlined communication and exchange. The United States (US) was also a potential international ally MK sought to found diplomatic relations with. However, because of the US’s close financial ties with the official South African government, they were unable to provide any significant material aid. Instead, US people took to the streets engaging in mass protest as a way of showing their support to the people fighting Apartheid on the front lines. Furthermore, western artists and songwriters contributed to the popular discourse, raising awareness and independent funds by means of aid-concerts and music videos. The international aid demonstrated by the US and USSR represent two different spheres of support, yet both were indispensable when it came to the inevitable end of the Apartheid system.