Apartheid

What is it? Afrikaan for “apartness” Legal separation of races in South Africa Official in 1948 when South Africa’s “National Party” won the government elections Meant to “ensure peace” by keeping different people separated

How did it Begin? Technically began in 1913 (soon after independence from Great Britain) Went into full effect with the Population Registration Act of 1950 This classified all South Africans into four categories: Bantu (All Black) Coloured (Mixed Race) White Asian (Indian and Pakistani) – this was added later

What were some key points? Group Areas Act of 1950 Divided business and residential urban areas into sections for each race Land Acts of 1913, 1916, 1954, 1955 All of these acts took land away from people and set it aside for the different categories of people As a result, 80% of the land in South Africa gets set aside for the white MINORITY Bantu Authorities Act of 1951 Reestablishes tribal organization Made it harder for nonwhites to organize against whites

Key Points (Continued) “Pass” Laws Nonwhites needed a pass from the government to go into ”restricted” areas Other Laws Social contact between races was illegal Illegal to marry someone of a different race Public facilities (Schools, bathrooms, etc) segregated Nonwhites not allowed in government Nonwhites not allowed to vote

Resistance/Change Sharpesville, March 21, 1960 Soweto Riots, 1976 Peaceful protest; Police kill 69 black Africans and wound many more Soweto Riots, 1976 Protesting language requirements 1985 – USA and UK impose some sanctions South Africa repeals the “pass” law the next year 1990-1991 – F.W. de Klerk repeals most apartheid laws 1993 – New constitution gives all people the right to vote 1994 – Nelson Mandela (Black Activist) elected as president

Nelson Mandela (1918-2013) Could have become a chief in his tribe (Tembu) but decided to become a lawyer Began focused on nonviolent protest, but after Sharpesville in 1960 began advocating violence Arrested at a roadblock in 1962, goes on trial in 1963 for sabotage Sentenced to life in prison

Mandela (continued) Spends 1964-1982 at Robben Island Prison off Cape Town Switched to a max security prison Released on February 11, 1990 by de Klerk Won presidency in first universal suffrage election in 1994

Mandela (Continued) Famous for many speeches including “I am Prepared to Die” in 1964 as he was walking into prison: “During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”

Other Mandela Quotes No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite. Fools multiply when wise men are silent. Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do. Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. It always seems impossible until it’s done. A winner is a dreamer who never gives up.

Works Cited Apartheid." Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 3 Dec. 2018. school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/apartheid/272908. Accessed 4 Apr. 2019. "Nelson Mandela." Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 3 Dec. 2018. school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/Nelson-Mandela/50484. Accessed 4 Apr. 2019.