South Africa under Apartheid

In 1652 the Dutch came to settle in South Africa. They believed the land was theirs. They defeated many Africans and forced them to work as servants and slaves.

In 1806, Great Britain captured the colony from the Dutch. When diamonds and gold were discovered, the British forced blacks off the mineral-rich land. In 1948 the racist Nationalist Party was elected to power.

The government established an official policy called “apartheid.” The South African government tried to completely separate the small number of whites from the black majority. / ?trkid=438403

Human Rights - Apartheid ‘Apartheid’ means ‘separateness.’ It was introduced by Dutch colonial settlers in Basically, it reduced the native population of South Africa to little more than slaves within their own country. Laws were introduced to legalize racial separation. Each child who was born in Apartheid South Africa was given a racial classification on their birth certificate, either Black, White, Coloured or Asian. Black people were not permitted to travel where they liked (and were constantly stopped by police and asked to provide identification). Black people could not live where they liked, but were instead herded into areas called ‘Bantustans,’ often the least desirable parts of their own country.

In 1958, the government separated black people from white people by making blacks live on reserves, or homelands. Several blacks also lived in shanty towns – overcrowded towns full of poorly built shacks on the edges of cities.

Most black men had to leave their homeland to find work in mines or factories. Women raised whatever crops they could.

The shanty towns became centers for black groups who resisted the white government. Thousands resisted apartheid by refusing to work, refusing to buy white products, going into “white only” areas, and marching in nonviolent demonstrations.

Human Rights – Protest was outlawed. Anyone caught organising a demonstration, reading banned newspapers or speaking against the Apartheid system was in danger of being detained without trial, tortured, imprisoned, even sometimes murdered. However, Mandela’s group, the African National Congress committed itself to using non-violent means to protest against this system That is, until the Sharpeville Massacre in 1960.

Human Rights – The Sharpeville Massacre took place on March 21 st, Police opened fire on blacks demonstrating against the policies of the National Party government. 69 people were killed simply for expressing an opinion. This event was credited by Mandela as forcing the hand of his ANC organisation. They soon resorted to violent methods themselves. Though never targeting civilians, they began to blow up railway lines and other economic targets. Later, the Soweto Massacre was to have a similar effect on public opinion around the world….

In 1986, the white South African government tried to destroy those who resisted apartheid. Still, blacks increased their actions against the government. In 1994, the government agreed to an open elections. The African National Congress, the largest anti-apartheid party, won. Nelson Mandela became the new president of South Africa.

Nelson Mandela was an incredible leader who helped lead the way in liberating South Africa from the oppressive Apartheid policies. Since being released in 1994, Mandela has received over 100 awards in recognition of the efforts he has made to bring peace and reconciliation to South Africa, and around the world.

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Apartheid Test Part ONE: Write ONE paragraph. –Explain what Apartheid is. Give several examples of how South Africa was affected by the Apartheid laws. Part TWO: Write FIVE paragraphs. –Nelson Mandela is known as one of the most powerful leaders in the world. Pick three character traits that you felt symbolized his leadership. Use your notes to support your answer. Provide specific details and facts. –Your paper should have an introduction, three supporting paragraphs, and a conclusion.