When Was The Apartheid

The apartheid era in South Africa was a period of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination that lasted from 1948 to 1994. The term “apartheid” is an Afrikaans word that means “separateness” or “apartness,” and it was used to describe the system of laws and policies that governed the relationship between the white minority and the black majority in South Africa.

The apartheid era began on May 26, 1948, when the National Party, led by Daniel François Malan, came to power in South Africa. The National Party had campaigned on a platform of racial segregation and had promised to implement policies that would maintain the dominance of the white minority over the black majority.

One of the first laws passed by the National Party was the Population Registration Act, which required all South Africans to be classified into one of four racial groups: white, black, colored, or Indian. This law was used to determine where people could live, work, and attend school, and it was the foundation of the apartheid system.

Over the next several decades, the South African government passed a series of laws that further entrenched apartheid. These laws included the Group Areas Act, which forced people to live in separate areas based on their racial classification, and the Pass Laws, which required black people to carry identification documents and restricted their movement.

The apartheid era was marked by widespread human rights abuses, including forced removals, torture, and killings. The South African government also imposed strict censorship and surveillance on its citizens, and it banned opposition groups and individuals who spoke out against apartheid.

Despite the brutality of the apartheid regime, there was significant opposition to the system, both within South Africa and internationally. The African National Congress (ANC), led by Nelson Mandela, was a key player in the fight against apartheid, and it used a combination of nonviolent resistance and armed struggle to challenge the government.

In the 1980s, the international community began to impose economic sanctions on South Africa, which had a significant impact on the country’s economy. The sanctions, combined with internal resistance and pressure from the international community, eventually led to the collapse of the apartheid regime.

On February 11, 1990, Nelson Mandela was released from prison after 27 years, and he immediately began to work towards a negotiated settlement to end apartheid. In 1991, the South African government repealed the laws that had governed apartheid, and in 1994, the country held its first democratic elections, which were won by the ANC.

Nelson Mandela became the first black president of South Africa, and he worked to rebuild the country and promote reconciliation between its different racial groups. The apartheid era was officially over, but its legacy continues to have an impact on South Africa today.

Early Years of Apartheid (1948-1960)

The early years of apartheid were marked by a series of laws and policies that were designed to entrench the dominance of the white minority. The Population Registration Act, the Group Areas Act, and the Pass Laws were all passed during this period, and they had a significant impact on the lives of black South Africans.

The early years of apartheid were also marked by significant resistance, both within South Africa and internationally. The African National Congress (ANC) was a key player in the fight against apartheid, and it used a combination of nonviolent resistance and armed struggle to challenge the government.

International Pressure and Sanctions (1960-1980)

In the 1960s and 1970s, the international community began to take notice of the situation in South Africa, and there was growing pressure on the government to end apartheid. The United Nations General Assembly passed a series of resolutions condemning apartheid, and many countries imposed economic sanctions on South Africa.

The sanctions had a significant impact on the South African economy, and they helped to weaken the apartheid regime. The international community also provided significant support to the anti-apartheid movement, both financially and diplomatically.

The End of Apartheid (1980-1994)

In the 1980s, the apartheid regime faced significant challenges, both internally and externally. The international community had imposed strict economic sanctions, and there was growing resistance within South Africa.

In 1990, Nelson Mandela was released from prison, and he immediately began to work towards a negotiated settlement to end apartheid. The South African government, led by President F.W. de Klerk, was also under significant pressure to reform, and it eventually agreed to negotiate with the ANC.

The negotiations were complex and often difficult, but they eventually led to the creation of a new constitution and the holding of democratic elections in 1994. The elections were won by the ANC, and Nelson Mandela became the first black president of South Africa.

The apartheid era was a complex and multifaceted period in South African history, and it is still the subject of much debate and discussion today. While the system of apartheid was officially dismantled in the 1990s, the legacy of apartheid continues to have an impact on South African society, and it is an important reminder of the dangers of racism and discrimination.

In conclusion, the apartheid era was a darkest period in the history of South Africa, but it also marked the beginning of a new era of freedom and democracy. The struggle against apartheid was a long and difficult one, but it ultimately led to the creation of a more just and equal society.