APARTHEID 46 YEARS IN 90 SECONDS - BBC NEWS

BBC News

6 Dec 201301:35

Summary

TLDRApartheid, a policy of racial segregation and discrimination in South Africa, began in earnest in 1948, legally establishing white superiority and marginalizing the black majority. It led to separate public facilities, banned interracial marriage, and denied citizenship to many. The 1960 Sharpeville massacre, where 69 were killed during a peaceful protest, intensified opposition and radicalized liberation movements. Despite violent crackdowns on anti-apartheid activism in the 1980s, gradual reforms eventually led to the release of Nelson Mandela in 1990, and his election as South Africa's first black president in 1994, marking the end of apartheid.

Takeaways

🏛️ Apartheid was a system of racial segregation enforced by the South African government, which began in earnest in 1948.
🔱 Apartheid laws established white people as officially superior and led to widespread discrimination against the black majority.
🈲️ The system included bans on living in white areas, separate public facilities, transport, schools, and interracial marriage.
📜 Many black South Africans were denied citizenship and were considered aliens or citizens of 'Bantustans' or homelands scattered throughout the country.
🚫 Resistance to apartheid grew, culminating in a significant event in 1960 when a peaceful protest at Sharpeville resulted in a massacre with 69 deaths.
🔥 The Sharpeville massacre galvanized opposition and radicalized liberation movements, such as the African National Congress (ANC).
🗣️ There was a sentiment among some that peaceful and nonviolent approaches were futile, leading to a call for more aggressive tactics.
💥 Open conflict erupted in the 1980s, with anti-apartheid activists facing violence, arrests, and suppression of mass protests.
🔄 Despite the harsh crackdowns, the apartheid establishment gradually crumbled due to internal and international pressure for reform.
🔑 Nelson Mandela, who had been imprisoned since shortly after the Sharpeville incident, was released in 1990.
🏆 Mandela's release led to significant political change, and he was elected as South Africa's first black president in 1994, marking the end of apartheid.

Q & A

When did apartheid officially begin in South Africa?
-Apartheid officially began in 1948 with laws that made white people officially superior and led to discrimination against the black majority in every aspect of their lives.
What were the consequences of the apartheid policy for black Africans?
-Black Africans faced discrimination in all areas of life, including living, doing business, and owning land in white areas. They were banned from using certain public facilities, transport, and schools, and interracial marriage was prohibited.
What significant event happened in 1960 that increased opposition to apartheid?
-In 1960, a peaceful protest against apartheid laws at Sharpeville ended in a massacre where 69 people were killed, which galvanized opposition and radicalized liberation movements.
How did the apartheid establishment respond to the growing resistance in the 1980s?
-The apartheid establishment responded with force, frequently shooting at, beating, or arresting anti-apartheid activists and firmly suppressing mass protests.
Who was Nelson Mandela, and what was his role in the fight against apartheid?
-Nelson Mandela was a key figure in the fight against apartheid. He was imprisoned not long after the Sharpeville massacre and was set free in 1990. In 1994, he was elected as South Africa's first black president, marking the end of apartheid.
What was the impact of the Sharpeville massacre on the anti-apartheid movement?
-The Sharpeville massacre had a profound impact, as it not only increased opposition to apartheid but also radicalized liberation movements, leading to a more determined fight against the oppressive system.
How did the apartheid government attempt to control black South Africans through citizenship?
-The apartheid government made many black South Africans citizens of 'bantustans' or homelands scattered throughout South Africa, rather than citizens of major cities, effectively segregating and controlling them.
What were the separate public facilities, transport, and schools that were established under apartheid?
-Under apartheid, separate public facilities, transport, and schools were established for white and black people, enforcing racial segregation and inequality.
What was the significance of Nelson Mandela's release from prison in 1990?
-Nelson Mandela's release from prison in 1990 was a significant milestone in the struggle against apartheid. It symbolized the beginning of the end for the oppressive regime and paved the way for his eventual election as president.
How did the gradual reforms lead to the end of apartheid in South Africa?
-Gradual reforms, along with increased international pressure and internal resistance, weakened the apartheid establishment. These reforms eventually led to Nelson Mandela's release and his election as president, marking the official end of apartheid.
What was the role of international pressure in the dismantling of apartheid?
-International pressure played a crucial role in the dismantling of apartheid. Sanctions, divestment, and global condemnation contributed to the isolation of the apartheid regime and facilitated its eventual collapse.

Outlines

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🏛️ The Fall of Apartheid in South Africa

This paragraph discusses the end of apartheid in South Africa, a system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination. It began in 1948, with laws that officially made white people superior and imposed severe restrictions on the black majority, including bans on land ownership in white areas, separate public facilities, and interracial marriage. The black population was often denied citizenship and treated as aliens. However, resistance to apartheid grew, culminating in the 1960 Sharpeville massacre, which radicalized liberation movements. Despite violent crackdowns on protests in the 1980s, the apartheid regime eventually crumbled. Nelson Mandela, who had been imprisoned since the aftermath of Sharpeville, was released in 1990 and became South Africa's first black president in 1994, marking the end of apartheid.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Apartheid

Apartheid refers to the policy of racial segregation and discrimination enforced by the South African government between 1948 and the early 1990s. It was characterized by systematic oppression of the black majority by the white minority, with laws that institutionalized racial hierarchy and inequality. In the video's narrative, apartheid is the central theme, illustrating the historical context and the struggle against this oppressive system.

💡Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela is a pivotal figure in the fight against apartheid. He was a political leader who spent 27 years in prison for his activism and became a global symbol of resistance against racial injustice. After his release from prison in 1990, Mandela played a crucial role in dismantling apartheid and was elected as South Africa's first black president in 1994. His journey from prisoner to president encapsulates the spirit of the struggle for freedom and equality.

💡Discrimination

Discrimination in the context of the video refers to the unjust or prejudicial treatment of individuals based on their race, as was systemic under apartheid. The script mentions that black Africans faced discrimination in every aspect of their lives, including living, doing business, and owning land in white areas, which were banned. This term is central to understanding the injustices perpetuated by the apartheid regime.

💡Segregation

Segregation is the practice of separating people based on race, which was a fundamental aspect of apartheid policy. The script highlights that there were separate public facilities, transport, and schools for different racial groups. This keyword is essential for understanding the physical and social divisions that apartheid imposed on South African society.

💡Injustice

Injustice, as mentioned in the script, refers to the unfair treatment and lack of rights experienced by black people under apartheid. The government-backed policies led to a system where white people were officially superior, and the black majority was subjected to systemic discrimination and disenfranchisement. This term underscores the moral and ethical issues at the heart of the apartheid system.

💡Citizenship

Citizenship in the apartheid context meant that many black South Africans had no rights to citizenship and were regarded as aliens in major cities. Instead, they were made citizens of 'Bantustans' or homelands, which were scattered throughout South Africa and were not recognized as part of the country. This concept is key to understanding the legal and social exclusion experienced by black South Africans.

💡Resistance

Resistance in the video script denotes the opposition and fight against apartheid by the black majority and other anti-apartheid activists. It grew over time, with the script mentioning a 'huge peaceful protest' in 1960 that ended in a massacre, galvanizing opposition and radicalizing liberation movements. Resistance is a central element of the narrative, showing the determination to overcome apartheid.

💡Liberation Movements

Liberation movements, such as the African National Congress (ANC), were groups that sought to end apartheid and establish equal rights for all South Africans. The script refers to these movements as being radicalized by the injustices of apartheid, illustrating their role in the struggle for freedom and the eventual dismantling of the apartheid regime.

💡Massacre at Sharpeville

The massacre at Sharpeville in 1960 was a pivotal event in the history of apartheid, where 69 people were killed during a peaceful protest against pass laws. The script describes this event as galvanizing opposition to apartheid, showing the extreme measures taken by the government to suppress dissent and the resilience of those fighting against the system.

💡Reform

Reform in the context of the video refers to the gradual changes and policies implemented that eventually led to the dismantling of apartheid. The script mentions that the apartheid establishment crumbled after these reforms, culminating in Nelson Mandela's release from prison and his subsequent election as president. Reform is a key concept in understanding the transition from apartheid to a more democratic and inclusive South Africa.

💡First Black President

The term 'first black president' refers to Nelson Mandela's historic election as South Africa's first black president in 1994. This marked a significant turning point in the country's history, symbolizing the end of apartheid and the beginning of a new era of racial equality and democracy. The election of Mandela is a key moment in the video's narrative, representing the culmination of decades of struggle and resistance.

Highlights

Apartheid in South Africa crumbled after Nelson Mandela was released from prison.

Black people in South Africa faced decades of government-backed injustice before apartheid officially began in 1948.

Apartheid laws made white people officially superior and led to discrimination against the black majority in all aspects of life.

Black Africans were separated from the white minority, with laws banning them from living, doing business, or owning land in white areas.

Public facilities, transport, and schools were segregated, with separate systems for white and black populations.

Interracial marriage was banned under apartheid laws.

Many black South Africans had no right to citizenship and were considered aliens in major cities.

Instead of citizenship, black people were made citizens of 'Bantustans' or homelands scattered throughout South Africa.

Resistance to apartheid grew, culminating in the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre where 69 peaceful protestors were killed.

The Sharpeville Massacre galvanized opposition and radicalized liberation movements such as the ANC.

There was a growing sentiment among some that peace and nonviolence were futile, leading to calls for open conflict.

Open conflict erupted in the 1980s with anti-apartheid activists frequently facing violence, arrests, and suppression.

Mass protests against apartheid were met with firm suppression by the government.

Despite resistance, the apartheid establishment gradually crumbled after incremental reforms were introduced.

Nelson Mandela, who had been in prison since shortly after the Sharpeville Massacre, was set free in 1990.

In 1994, Nelson Mandela was elected as South Africa's first black president, marking the end of apartheid.