Introduction to Apartheid

The beginning of apartheid and resistance

The Beginning of Apartheid

In 1948, the National Party introduced apartheid — laws that separated people by race. People were classified as White, Black, Coloured or Indian. Non-white people were denied equal rights, forced into separate areas and used separate facilities.

Example

Apartheid Laws

• Population Registration Act: classified everyone by race • Group Areas Act: forced racial groups into separate areas • Separate Amenities Act: separate beaches, buses, toilets • Bantu Education Act: inferior education for Black children • Pass Laws: Black people had to carry a pass book Resistance: ANC, PAC, protests, strikes, international pressure

Note

Remember

Apartheid was deeply unjust. People resisted bravely through protests, boycotts and armed struggle. Heroes like Mandela, Sisulu, Tambo and many others fought for freedom. Apartheid ended in 1994 with democratic elections.

Key Vocabulary

ApartheidA system of racial separation in SA (1948-1994)

SegregationKeeping racial groups apart by law

ResistanceFighting against an unjust system

DiscriminationTreating people unfairly because of race or gender

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Apartheid

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