Apartheid

Apartheid

Apartheid was a system of strict racial separation that existed in South Africa and South West Africa (now Namibia) from 1948 until the early 1990s. It was designed to keep the small white population in control of the country. People were divided into four racial groups—white, Indian, Coloured, and Black—and each group had different rights and opportunities. The white group held the highest status, while Black South Africans faced many restrictions.

The rules of apartheid affected nearly every part of daily life. Laws prevented people of different racial groups from marrying or having close relationships. People were forced to live in separate areas, and many Black South Africans were moved from their homes to special regions. These changes caused unfairness and anger, leading to protests against the government.

Over time, people both inside and outside South Africa worked to end apartheid. International pressure helped, and talks between the government and groups fighting apartheid led to important changes. In 1994, South Africa held its first elections where everyone could vote, marking the end of apartheid and the beginning of a new, more equal country. The effects of apartheid still influence South Africa today, especially in areas like economic inequality.

Precursors

Main articles: History of South Africa (1815–1910) and History of South Africa (1910–1948)

Apartheid is an Afrikaans word meaning "separateness". When European settlers came to South Africa in 1652, they treated Black people unfairly. Over time, laws were made to keep different racial groups apart and to limit the freedoms of Black and mixed-race people.

In the 1800s, pass laws made people carry documents to travel or work. Later laws stopped Black people from voting, buying land in many places, and living where they wanted. These laws led to the system of Apartheid that started in 1948.

Institution and development

Apartheid began from old ideas about race during colonial times and South Africa's growth. This growth caused people to be separated by race, especially to help early industries like mining. The economy depended on workers from different groups.

In 1948, the National Party won an election. They wanted to control people who were not white, which many white voters agreed with. The National Party believed in keeping races separate, calling their plan "apartheid." They made many laws to separate races in all parts of life, like where people could live, go to school, and use public spaces. These laws made life unfair, mainly helping only white people.

Homeland system

Main article: Bantustan

Under the homeland system, the government tried to divide South Africa and South West Africa into separate areas for different ethnic groups. They created 20 homelands, with 19 for black groups and one for a group of mixed-race people called Basters.

The government believed each group should have its own nation. They declared four homelands independent, but these areas were still controlled by South Africa and lacked real power and resources. The land given to these homelands was often not good for farming or jobs.

Society during apartheid

The government of South Africa passed laws to separate people by race. One law stopped marriages between white people and people of other races. Another law made it illegal for white people and people of other races to be together in certain ways.

Black people needed special permits to work or live in areas meant for white people. Without these permits, they had to leave those areas and live in separate places called homelands. Trains, hospitals, and buses were separated by race. Schools, jobs, and neighborhoods were also divided, with black people often getting fewer resources and opportunities than white people.

Different race groups were strictly controlled, and people were often moved to different areas based on their race. This separation affected many parts of daily life, including where people could live, work, and play.

Internal resistance

Main article: Internal resistance to apartheid

Apartheid made many people in South Africa unhappy, and they wanted to change things. They formed groups to protest peacefully, but sometimes these protests led to conflicts with police. In 1949, younger leaders in the African National Congress (ANC) began more active resistance, such as strikes and boycotts. In 1959, a new group called the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC) formed and organized protests.

Over time, more people joined the resistance. In 1976, students in Soweto protested against unfair school rules. Labour unions also helped fight against apartheid. By the 1980s, many groups worked together to oppose the government. Leaders like Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu spoke out against the unfair system. Some white South Africans also joined the effort for change.

International relations during apartheid

South Africa had strict racial laws that many people around the world did not agree with. Starting in the 1960s, other countries began to speak out against these laws. In 1960, a British leader, Harold Macmillan, talked about how wrong these laws were during a speech in Cape Town. Things got worse after the Sharpeville massacre, and more countries said they did not like South Africa's rules.

Because of these changes, South Africa decided to become a republic. The leader, Hendrik Verwoerd, asked white South Africans to vote on this, and most voted yes. After this, South Africa had to ask to join a group of countries called the Commonwealth again, but many did not want South Africa to join because of its unfair laws. So, South Africa left the Commonwealth in 1961.

In the 1980s, the Commonwealth and other countries decided to use economic sanctions to try to end apartheid. In 1986, many countries agreed to strong measures to put pressure on South Africa.

The Organisation of African Unity, a group of African countries, also spoke out against apartheid. They wanted sanctions and supported groups working to end apartheid. In 1969, leaders from several African countries signed a document called the Lusaka Manifesto. They said that all people in Africa should have fair treatment and asked for Black people to have a say in leading. When South Africa did not change, the Organisation of African Unity said in 1971 that they might need to use force to help free Black South Africans.

During the 1980s, some Western countries had different ideas. The United States and the United Kingdom sometimes supported South Africa for their own reasons, even though many of their own people wanted stronger actions against apartheid. It was only in the late 1980s that more Western countries began to support economic sanctions and asked for talks to end apartheid.

Sports and culture

Because of apartheid's unfair laws, South Africa became more isolated in sports and culture. Apartheid did not allow mixed-race sports teams, so many international teams would not play in South Africa. In the 1950s and 1960s, South Africa was not allowed to take part in big sports events like the Olympics. Cultural events also had boycotts, with artists and writers choosing not to perform or show their work in South Africa. These boycotts helped people worldwide see how unfair apartheid was.

Western influence

Even though many countries opposed apartheid, some Western nations, like the United States under Presidents Nixon and Reagan, kept ties with South Africa. They thought South Africa was important for stopping the spread of communism in Africa. But by the late 1980s, even these countries started to support economic sanctions and asked for an end to apartheid.

Effect of the Cold War

The Cold War also affected apartheid. South Africa often said it was protecting itself against communist threats. This helped the government justify its strong military rules. The country built up its military and supported groups against communism in Africa. This led South Africa to be involved in conflicts in nearby countries. These actions sometimes caused more criticism and made South Africa more isolated.

Main articles: Sporting boycott of South Africa and Rugby union and apartheid

Main article: Foreign relations of South Africa during apartheid

See also: Lusaka Manifesto

See also: International sanctions during apartheid

State security

See also: Military history of South Africa, South Africa and weapons of mass destruction, Project Coast, and South African Institute for Maritime Research

In the 1980s, the leaders of South Africa worried about safety. They wanted to protect the country from protests and fighting. The government made strong rules to keep control.

People who disagreed with the rules were sometimes arrested. The government worked hard to stop anyone who was against these rules, both in the country and far away.

Final years of apartheid

Main article: Negotiations to end apartheid in South Africa

The last years of apartheid brought big changes in South Africa as the government tried to change the system. Economic troubles and pressure from other countries showed that the old ways were not working. In the 1970s and 1980s, protests against apartheid grew, especially after South Africa lost control of nearby countries like Mozambique and Angola.

In the 1980s, the government made some changes. They allowed more people to vote and gave some rights to Black South Africans, but these changes were still not enough. In 1989, F. W. de Klerk became president and started serious talks to end apartheid. In 1990, he announced that bans on anti-apartheid groups would end and that Nelson Mandela would be released after many years in prison.

Talks continued through the early 1990s, with many challenges. There were clashes between different groups, but leaders worked to find peace. In 1994, South Africa held its first elections where everyone could vote, marking the end of apartheid and the start of a new, democratic nation.

Legacy

Further information: Inequality in post-apartheid South Africa and Wealth inequality in South Africa

After apartheid ended in South Africa, the country still had to deal with many problems. Many Black South Africans had less money, fewer jobs, and shorter lives than white South Africans. Even though the economy grew, most wealth and land were still owned by white people. This made South Africa one of the most unequal places in the world.

Some leaders who supported apartheid later said they were sorry for the harm it caused. For example, F. W. de Klerk, who was president during apartheid, apologized for the suffering of many people. The old apartheid flag is now banned in South Africa because it reminds many people of painful times. The word "apartheid" is also used today to describe unfair treatment in other places, like when people are separated based on their religion or economic status.