-
The Immorality Act
The Act would outlaw extramarital affairs between Blacks and Whites. The Act was a pretense for 1949's Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act. It was created with the intentions of separating Blacks and Whites from social interaction and likely hoped to reduce the birth of interracial children. -
The Representation of Blacks Act
The Act would remove black Africans from the common voting roll and would place them on their own unique list. They would be represented by only 4, non-black senators. This marks the start of the removal of black African's voting rights and equal representation within South African Parliament. -
The Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act
This was a more extreme version of 1927's Immorality Act which prohibited extramarital affairs between Blacks and Whites. Under the Act, interracial marriages were forbidden, including those that were previously existing. It looked to further separate the races and cease the birth of interracial children. -
The Population Registration Act
This Act required Africans to be sorted into one of 4 specific racial groups, this would later be increased to 8 different groups. It was created with the intentions of delegating citizens into Bantustans. It reduced the identities of individuals down to the tone of their skin and racial traits. -
The Group Areas Act
This Act established territories for specific racial groups. Within these "homelands" the racial groups were intended to be given independent control of their own governments. These homelands were small, built on undesirable territory, and were often fragmented. It was a major advancement in Apartheid as it separated Blacks and Whites not just socially but physically. -
The Black and Bantu Authorities Acts
These acts created tribal authorities for the newly created "homelands" which black Africans were to be relocated to. While they justified these Bantustans as independent homelands, the South African government retained control over their leaders, who were often not recognized by the citizens of the Bantustans. -
The Native Laws Amendment Act
The Act required black Africans to carry passbooks when travelling at all times. They contained extensive information about the individual and were created to track and restrict their travel. Black Africans had to receive approval in order to travel across territories and could be subjected to police searches at any time -
The Criminal Law Amendment Act
This Act stated that disobedience to the enforced Apartheid laws would result in a three year imprisonment. It gave the government the authority to punish anyone who stood up to, or defied the Apartheid legislature. This is significant because its creation sought to eliminate those who would speak out against Apartheid, and thus ceasing potential rebellions. -
The Reservation of Separate Amenities Act
This act segregated public facilities and public transport by races. It further separated blacks from whites within South Africa and is reminiscent of the similar segregation which occurred in the United States. -
The Black Education Act
This act officially segregated black education and established the educational system for the Bantustans. By controlling what was taught, the Apartheid government was capable of manipulating the truth and suppressing the ideas suggested by rebel movements. -
Hendrik Verwoerd takes Office
On this date, Hendrik Verwoerd, the "architect" of Grand Apartheid, would take office as the Prime Minister of South Africa.
