Apartheid
Apartheid Defined South Africa’s policy of “separate development” – a system designed to maintain white supremacy Instituted in 1948 by the Nationalist party of South Africa Led by D.F. Malan
Conditions in South Africa after World War II Population was divided into two groups: Whites and Non-whites –Afrikanners (British descendants of Colonists) 15% of population –Non-Whites 85% of population Black Africans - 75%
Apartheid Policies
Resettlements In 1954, official homelands were created for Non-Whites Non-Whites were forced to move into these new “tribal reserves” called Bantustans
Resettlement Continued 3 million Non-Whites were moved new homelands had little or no agricultural value or infrastructure the Bantustans made up approximately 13% of all South African Land Afrikaners moved into former non-white land rich in agriculture and minerals (gold and diamonds)
Resettlements Non-whites lost their family lands and are forced to live in extremely poor townships White Afrikaners reap positive economic benefits
Loss of Political Power In 1910, Act of Union is initiated –It excluded all non-whites from politics In reaction the African National Congress or ANC is created –ANC worked to create political independence from white domination
African National Congress Aims and Objectives To unite the African people in a powerful and effective instrument to secure their own complete liberation from all forms of discrimination and national oppression To promote and protect the interests of the African people in all matters affecting them To strive for the attainment of universal adult suffrage and the creation of a united democratic South Africa
Non-White Passbooks Non-Whites had to carry a passbook detailing your racial grouping, your employer, your place of dwelling, and if you had permission to be in a white area
Education Bantu Education Act –forces black students to follow an education system designed to teach only basic skills necessary for menial labor
Some Apartheid Laws 1949 Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act – outlaws marriages between members of different classified races 1950 Immorality Act – prohibits sexual relations between whites and non- whites 1950 – Population Registration Act, Group Areas Act, Bantu Authorities Act 1952: Abolition of Passes and Coordination of Documents Act –forces all Africans to carry a single pass book 1953: Promotion of Bantu Self Governing Act – set up ethnic homelands 1954: Resettlement of Natives Act – allowed government to move entire long established communities
Defenders and Symbols of Non- Whites in South Africa
Nelson Mandela Leader of the ANC Youth Wing in 1944 used pacifist techniques to gain equality for all South Africans However, this pacifism was put aside when he became leader of the ANC’s Military wing
Mandela The Nationalist government tries to discredit Mandela as a Communist and a Terrorist Mandela leaves the country for Military training in Algeria arrested for leaving the country illegally and for incitement to strike sentenced to five years and later to life in prison on Robben Island
Mandela as a Symbol Mandela becomes a symbol against oppression throughout the world Jail sentences handed out to people with Mandela’s writing or pictures
Steven Biko Leader of the Black Consciousness Movement in the late 1970s Banned from speaking in public Arrested for being out of his banning area Beaten to death by police who claimed that he died from a hunger strike Becomes a symbol against Apartheid
The World Responds by Boycotting South African Goods and Protesting the Policy of Apartheid Diplomatically
Apartheid Comes to an End
The Government Reforms South African President F.W. Deklerk fought for abolition of Apartheid South Africa’s government institutes deregulation of segregation laws
Non-Whites gain political power South Africa has its first Universal Suffrage elections in 1994 African National Congress wins majority in South African Parliament
Nelson Mandela Freed Nelson Mandela is released from imprisonment becomes the new South African president
Apartheid is over, but its effects still linger among the population -Inequitable distribution of Land -Unemployment -Extreme Poverty -Spread of Aids and other Diseases -Rampant Crime -Lack of Political Unity