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ANC Formed
African National Congress is formed to fight against white domination. -
ANC Youth League Formed
ANCYL is formed as a youth version of the ANC to fight for equal rights in the cities through the use of strikes, boycotts, and acts of defiance. -
ANC launch Defiance Campaign
Learn more here!ANC with the South African Indian Council united all races to defy the unjust apartheid laws. By the end over 8,000 people were arrested. Punishments included fines and short jail times. Some even had their charges dropped because it was determined they were treated unfairly. -
ANC Freedom Charter Formed
The Freedom Charter laid out the groundwork for a more fair society. It laid out the expectations of all the different races and it was made clear that they wanted everyone to work together. -
Sharpeville Massacre
More details here!Pan Africanist Council planned a non-violent protest where people were asked to leave their passbooks at home and march to the police stations to turn themselves in. The goal was to have hundreds arrested to overcrowd the jail and slow the economy. At Sharpeville 69 people were killed and 180 were injured when the police opened fire on the crowd. -
UN Committee Against Apartheid takes action
The UN Committee against apartheid took a stance against apartheid and honored those killed at Sharpeville. -
Umkhonto We Sizwe Formed
Nelson Mandela and several others formed "Spear of the Nation" which was an armed group to defend against the government actions of brutality. Mandela's actions and plans were discovered and he was sentenced to life in prison. -
Nelson Mandela imprisoned
Learn more here!As a result of leaving the country without a passport and encouraging workers to strike Mandela was imprisoned for 5 years. -
UN Arms Embargo against South Africa
UN encourages countries to no longer sell any arms or weapons or military supplies to South Africa. -
UN Oil Sanctions Against South Africa
UN encourages countries to no longer sell petroleum (oil) to South Africa. -
South Africa banned from Olympics
Learn more hereThe IOC banned South Africa from the Olympics for refusing to eliminate apartheid. This ban lasted until 1992. -
Soweto Uprising
Black Africans were upset by the South African government’s new policy of teaching only Afrikaans in the schools.
10,000 students protested by marching into the city to demand a change. Police opened fire and riots went on for days. Hundreds were injured or killed. -
Steve Biko Killed
Steve Biko - major leader in the anti-apartheid movement is killed in police custody. His death is ruled an accident and the police officers are not charged. -
Cape Town Peace March
30,000 Capetonians, under the leadership of Desmond Tutu, started a march to end apartheid. This was agaisnt the law since all protests were banned under the "State of Emergency". The protest was not stopped by police. -
Mandela is released from prison
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Process of writing a Constitution begins
Nelson Mandela announces that there will be a development of a Constitution in South Africa. -
South Africa rejoins Olympics
South Africa was allowed to rejoin the olympics once they voted to end apartheid. -
Constitution is Adopted
The first Constitution for the newly democratic South Africa is put into action. Apartheid is officially ended. The first multiracial elections take place. Nelson Mandela is elected president.
