Apartheid
Apartheid was a system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination that existed in South Africa from 1948 to the early 1990s. The term apartheid comes from the Afrikaans word meaning "apartness."
History of Apartheid
The roots of apartheid can be traced back to colonialism in South Africa, when the Dutch and British settlers seized land from indigenous Africans. The system of apartheid was officially established in 1948 when the National Party came to power in South Africa. The government passed a series of laws that segregated people by race and gave preferential treatment to white South Africans.
How Apartheid Worked
Under apartheid, people were classified into four racial groups: white, black, colored, and Indian. Each group was assigned different rights and privileges, and there were strict laws that enforced racial segregation in every aspect of life. Some of the key features of apartheid included:
- Separate areas for different racial groups to live in
- Separate schools and universities for different racial groups
- Separate public facilities, such as hospitals, beaches, and parks
- Laws that prohibited interracial marriage and sexual relations
- Restrictions on the movement of black South Africans
- Restrictions on political participation for non-white South Africans
Resistance to Apartheid
Resistance to apartheid was widespread in South Africa, both inside and outside the country. The African National Congress (ANC), led by Nelson Mandela, was the most prominent anti-apartheid group. The ANC used nonviolent protests, boycotts, and civil disobedience to challenge the apartheid regime. The government responded with violence, imprisoning and torturing activists, and even killing protesters.
The End of Apartheid
The international community played a significant role in ending apartheid. Countries around the world imposed economic sanctions on South Africa, and many businesses withdrew their investments. The pressure from the international community, combined with the resistance from within South Africa, eventually forced the government to abandon apartheid. In 1990, Nelson Mandela was released from prison after 27 years, and negotiations began for a new democratic constitution. In 1994, South Africa held its first free and fair elections, and Mandela became the country's first black president.