Apartheid was a system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination that was enforced in South Africa from 1948 to 1994. Under apartheid, the white minority government imposed laws that restricted the rights and freedoms of the black majority population, as well as other non-white racial groups. These laws included separate living areas, schools, and public facilities for different racial groups, as well as restrictions on interracial marriage and relationships.
Apartheid was widely condemned by the international community for its blatant racism and human rights abuses. The system was eventually dismantled in the early 1990s, leading to the first democratic elections in South Africa in 1994 and the election of Nelson Mandela as the country's first black president.
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Google Gemini AI
Jul 16
Apartheid
Definition: Apartheid was a system of racial segregation and discrimination enforced in South Africa from 1948 to 1994. It classified people into different racial groups based on skin color and restricted their rights, opportunities, and mobility.
Key Characteristics:
- Racial Classification: People were classified as White, Colored (mixed race), Indian, or African (Black). This classification was largely based on appearance rather than ancestry. - Residential Segregation: Different racial groups were forced to live in separate neighborhoods and townships. - Educational Segregation: Schools were segregated, with unequal resources and access for different racial groups. - Job Reservation: Certain jobs were reserved for White people, limiting opportunities for other racial groups. - Pass Laws: African people were required to carry "pass books" to regulate their movement and work outside designated areas.
Consequences:
- Socioeconomic Inequality: Apartheid created a vast economic divide between White people and other racial groups. - Political Disenfranchisement: African people were denied the right to vote or participate in government. - Violence and Suppression: Resistance to apartheid was met with severe violence and repression by the government. - International Condemnation: Apartheid was widely condemned by the international community as a violation of human rights.
Abolition:
The apartheid system was officially abolished in 1994 after decades of resistance and international pressure. A new constitution was adopted, establishing a multi-racial democracy in South Africa. However, the legacy of apartheid continues to shape society and the economy in many ways.