Samantha Garcia

Period 6

4/28/13

AP History Group Study Project

Apartheid

What is the dictionary definition for this idea/event?

-(in South Africa) A policy or system of segregation or discrimination on grounds of race.

-An official policy of racial segregation formerly practiced in the Republic of South Africa, involving political, legal, and economic discrimination against nonwhites.

Who (give me precise people) started this idea/event?

Strategists in the Afrikaner National Party invented apartheid in the 1940s to strengthen their control over the economic and social system of South Africa. Apartheid was aimed to maintain the domination of whites and to extend racial separation.

What were the reasons that this happened (previous philosophies/events that led up to this)?

The English and the Dutch colonized South American in the 1700s. The English dominated over the Dutch descendants, or better known as Afrikaner or Boers, which then resulted in the Dutch establishing the new colonies, Orange Free State and Transversal. Diamonds were discovered here in the 1900s and because of it, the English invaded and thus it grew into the Boer War. South Africa became independent from the English which led to power sway between the two groups (Dutch and English) until the 1940s, which was when the Afrikaner National Party gained a strong majority. Strategists in the national party then invented apartheid to hail the whites and to reinforce their control of the economic and social system in South Arica.

List and describe the major events and people in this idea/event?

Major Events:

1700s: English and Dutch colonized South Africa.

1900s: Diamond discoveries resulted in more settlers and the English invading which started the Boer War.

1940s: Afrikaner National Party gains strong majority; Apartheid invented

1948: Apartheid laws institutionalized (race laws which impacted aspects of life)(whites and non-whites couldn’t marry)(white jobs only)

1950s: Population Registration Act sought to classify South Africans by three classes: white, black (African) or colored (mixed descent). Based on appearance, descent and social acceptance. The Apartment of Home Affairs was responsible to classify these people. Blacks required to carry pass books to enter non-black areas.

  • Bantu Authorities Act established “homelands” or a basis for ethnic governments in African reserves which were basically independent states to which Africans were assigned according to the record of origin.

1976-1981: Four of the homelands were created which denationalized 9 million South Africans.

1953: Public Safety Act and Criminal Law Amendment Act passed. Increased the penalties for protesting against laws or repels.

1960: Big group of blacks in Sharpville didn’t carry their passes and the government made a big deal out of it. 69 people were killed, 187 wounded, and it lasted for 156 days. States of emergency continued until 1989 so anyone could be put in custody for six months.

1994: First democratic election allowed everyone to vote.

Major People/Group:

Afrikaner National Party: enforced apartheid

Nelson Mandela: Former President of South Africa. Activist and helped bring an end to apartheid. Global advocate for human rights. Lead peaceful protests and armed resistance.

Daniel Malan: States man and politician. Formed first exclusive Afrikaner government and instituted apartheid.

Pieter Willem Botha: He was prominence in the right-wing National Party. He became the country’s prime minister in 1978.He authorized deadly force against anti-apartheid protestors and members of the ANC (African National Congress).

Walter Max UlyateSisulu: Anti-apartheid activist co-founder of the African National Congress Youth League and UmkhontoweSizwe.

Joe Slovo: Anti-Apartheid activist.One of the founders ofUmkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing of the ANC. He was also the general secretary of the South African Communist Party (1980s).

What countries/civilizations were affected most by this idea/event?

South Africa

What effects of this idea/event do we encounter today?

The effects of apartheid still occur today.

  • Cause: Black education was limited during apartheid
  • Result: Millions of Black high school graduates aren’t equipped to handle today’s working environment
  • 1/3 of South African workforce is unemployed in the formal sector
  • Cause: Whites were given more land and many black lost their land when they were driven out
  • Effect: There is a widespread of fierce fighting among many Black and White farmers and landowners and a crime wave is taking place.

Works Cited

"The History of Apartheid in South Africa."Stanford. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2013.

"African Apartheid Major Events."African Apartheid.N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2013.

"Nelson Mandela."History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2013.

"Daniel F. Malan (South African Politician)."Encyclopedia Britannica Online.Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2013.

"Apartheid101."About.com African History.N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2013.

Peter. "The After-effects of Apartheid Continue to Be Felt in South Africa."Bayou Renaissance Man. N.p., 13 June 2009. Web. 29 Apr. 2013.