Apartheid in South Africa

Apartheid

1948

Apartheid was a system of legislation that upheld segregationist policies against non-white citizens of South Africa. After the National Party gained power in South Africa in 1948. It’s all white government immediately began enforcing existing policies of racial segregation. Apartheid was from 1948-1994. https://www.history.com/topics/africa/apartheid

African Congress Starts the Defiance Campaign

1952

Volunteers begin a peaceful resistance to Apartheid by breaking the laws they think are wrong. The peaceful protests include black people sitting on benches marked for white people only and being out in the city after curfew set for black people. https://www.softschools.com/timelines/apartheid_timeline/44/

The Bantu Education Act is passed

1953

A law is passed that creates a separate education system for blacks and whites. Blacks are trained to prepare them for a life as part of the working class since it is not expected that they will be allowed to do anything more than that. https://www.softschools.com/timelines/apartheid_timeline/44/

Nelson Mandela is arrested for treason

1956

Nelson Mandela, an anti- apartheid activist, is arrested with several other people for fighting against Apartheid. He is charged with treason, but after a four-year trial he is found not guilty. https://www.softschools.com/timelines/apartheid_timeline/44/

Separate homeland are created for the major black groups

1959

The government passes new laws to create separate homelands, called Bantustans, for the major black groups in the country. The government does this to stop blacks from being citizens of South Africa. https://www.softschools.com/timelines/apartheid_timeline/44/

69 People are killed in the Sharpeville Massacre

Mar 21, 1960

Apartheid requires blacks to carry passbooks, which contains personal information such as name, date of birth, and photos. When protesters show up at the Sharpeville police station without their passbooks, a riot breaks out and police kill 69 people. https://www.softschools.com/timelines/apartheid_timeline/44/

Nelson Mandela arrested for treason again

Aug 5, 1962

Mandela was the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, part of the African National Congress. He is arrested for his role in bombing government targets and sentenced to life in prison. https://www.softschools.com/timelines/apartheid_timeline/44/

Nelson Mandela death

Dec 5, 2013

Nelson Mandela died on December 5, 2013. He was just 95 years old.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Nelson-Mandela