South Africa and Apartheid SS7H1.c-d

Overview  South Africa is Africa’s southernmost country.  More European settlers came here than anywhere else in Africa.  European colonization led to the oppressions of Africans.  Many fair-skinned Europeans believed dark-skinned Africans were less human and inferior.  This is known as Racism.

South Africa  1 st settled by the Dutch in the 17 th century  Resources of gold & diamonds caused European powers to fight over the region.  South Africans tried to fight the Europeans but had no success.  By the 20 th century, British military controlled South Africa and the South Africans were not allowed to vote.  This is the beginning of Apartheid.

Apartheid  Apartheid means “separateness”  Laws were created to enforce segregation of people by race.  This separateness caused oppression of Africans and many Europeans to become powerful and wealthy.  Part of South African law until 1993.

During Apartheid  South Africans were legally classified by the color of their skin: white, black, Asian. & colored (mixed race)  The majority of South Africans were considered black.  People of different races had to use separate services & buildings

During Apartheid  This included schools, hospitals, libraries, & beaches.  They also could not share drinking fountains & restrooms.  The services & building for whites were much better that those for the other races.  Living conditions for whites were much better in South Africa that any other place in Africa.

During Apartheid  Even though blacks made up the majority of the population, they suffered the most.  They were not considered citizens.  They were forced to move to homelands- poor crowded areas away from the cities.

During Apartheid  Black South Africans were required to carry a pass.  They could only leave their homeland if they were going to work for a white person.  Traveling without a pass could result in jail.

Protesting Apartheid  Groups were formed by black South Africans: African National Congress (ANC)- goal was to bring people of all races together & to fight for rights & freedoms. ANC Youth League- formed in 1944 by Nelson Mandela to bring in a new generation to fight apartheid.

Protesting Apartheid  1950’s & 1960’s- groups like the ANC received support from groups and nations outside South Africa.  Many parts of the world viewed apartheid as racist and unjust.  United Nations defined apartheid as a crime against humanity.

Important People of Apartheid  Nelson Mandela- Protested non- violently against apartheid.  became leader of the ANC’s armed wing.  August 5, arrested by police.  Spent 27 years in prison.  Released form prison in  became South Africa’s first democratically elected president and first black president.

Important People of Apartheid  F. W. de Klerk- president of South Africa.  Released Nelson Mandela from prison in  Ended laws against the ANC.  Ended apartheid and spoke for a multi-racial, democratic South Africa.

 Pan Africanism- the idea that here is a global African community made up of native Africans & the descendants of African slaves & migrants across the world.  Calls for unity among black people.  This movement started in the early 19 th century as a call for self- governance The Unifying Forces in Africa- The Pan African Movement

Questions  Think about what you have learned about South Africa and Apartheid. Respond to the following questions. What are the problems with racial segregation? Who did racial segregation in South Africa benefit? How was the white minority able to maintain control of South Africa? How did the creation of homelands support this plan?

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