The South African Apartheid - 5 Minute History

Apartheid was a system of institutionalized racial segregation and oppression that was implemented by the National Party in South Africa in 1948. The roots of apartheid can be traced back to the colonial period in South Africa, when Dutch settlers began to establish their control over the land and enslave indigenous people. Over time, this evolved into a system of racial segregation, where people were classified into different racial categories and subjected to discriminatory laws and policies.

In 1948, the National Party was elected to power in South Africa and quickly set about implementing apartheid policies. Under apartheid, black South Africans were denied many of their basic rights, including the right to vote, the right to own property, and the right to marry across racial lines. They were also forced to live in segregated areas and work in designated jobs, and were subjected to pass laws that controlled their movements and restricted their access to white-only areas.

Despite the severity of apartheid, there was significant resistance to the system from black South Africans and their allies. This resistance took many forms, including protests, demonstrations, and acts of civil disobedience. The most famous of these was the Sharpeville massacre of 1960, where peaceful protesters were shot and killed by police, leading to an international outcry against apartheid.

The end of apartheid came after decades of resistance and international pressure. In the 1980s, the anti-apartheid movement gained momentum, and the South African government came under increasing pressure to end the system. In 1990, Nelson Mandela was released from prison after 27 years, and negotiations between the government and the African National Congress began. In 1994, the first democratic elections were held in South Africa, and Nelson Mandela became the first black president of the country.