Apartheid+Politics

Stacie G

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The Apartheid of South Africa originated in 1948 when the Nationalist Party came to power. Conservative white farmers--the ancestors of Dutch settlers--were the main support for this party based on ideals of white superiority. These Nationalists created a strict legal system for the separation of races, known as apartheid. Under the system, South Africans were classified as white, black, Asian, or "colored" (those of a mixed race) and the government passed laws to ensure segregation of the races.

The Apartheid system was one of inequalities. Blacks were not allowed in any "white" areas and their schools received much less funding than those for Whites. Black South Africans were mostly forced to live in homelands (dry, infertile areas) but some were still needed to work in the towns. In order to control the black workers, the government devised pass laws. The passbooks included all monetary information on the workers and were required to be with them at all times.

From the start, some South Africans were opposed to Apartheid. In fact, Albert J Luthuli and Archbishop Desmond Tutu each won the Nobel Peace Prize for the urge of nonviolent resistance in the abolition of apartheid. Unfortunately for South Africans, the police were not afraid to use violence. They killed over 60 people in a nonviolent peace protest in Sharpeville, earning plenty of frowns from countries worldwide. The government continued to oppress protests by banning opposition groups (such as the African National Congress).

South Africans voiced their opinions from within the country while international pressure also affected politics. The OAU (Organization of African Unity) advised members to boycott South Africa. The United Nations joined by placing an arms embargo on South Africa while the Olympic Committee denied entrance of South Africans to the competition. In the 1980s, important countries, such as the United States, entirely cut off trade and financial dealing with businesses of South Africa.

The economic sanctions finally had an effect on South Africa because their economy was beginning to suffer without the aid of international markets. During the mid 1980s, the government took back the pass laws and opened a few facilities to all South Africans. A new constitution was written to guarantee black rights in the early 1990s. With black South Africans able to vote for the first time, Nelson Mandela was elected president of the improved country. The oppressed people had high hopes of equality and a clean start in the future.

Sources Cited Apartheid Homepage