South African History

By jcarlso8

  • National Party wins 1948 Elections

    http://www.sahistory.org.za/article/south-african-general-elections-1948In 1948, the National Party, led mostly by Afrikanes, won the South African elections. With them came the policy of Apartheid. This policy was fueled by racism and segregation, and would go on to shape the landscape of South Africa for the next several decades.

  • Nelson Mandela Imprisoned

    http://www.history.com/topics/nelson-mandelaNelson Mandela, a leader of the ANC and opposition to the National Party, was sentenced to life imprisonment for attempting to take back South Africa from the National Party. It was during this time that tensions, both racially and politically, were very high.

  • Nelson Mandela Freed

    http://www.history.com/topics/nelson-mandelaThe President of South Africa, F.W. de Klerk, broke from the conservatives in his party and pushed for a non-racist South Africa. He lifted the ban on the ANC, and in 1990 released Nelson Mandela after 27 years in prison.

  • Final Apartheid Laws Repealed

    http://www.sahistory.org.za/dated-event/south-african-parliament-votes-repeal-legal-framework-apartheidAfter decades of inequality and racism, the controversial laws governing Apartheid were finally repealed. Even though the government was still controlled by white Afrikaners, this was a positive step towards equality for all.

  • Nelson Mandela is sworn in as the first black president of South Africa

    http://www.history.com/topics/nelson-mandelaIn 1994, after generations of racism and inequality, the ANC were finally elected to lead South Africa and Nelson Mandela was sworn in as president. This officially shattered what remained of Apartheid, even though the laws were repealed some years earlier. Mandela would go on to become arguably one of the most recognizable world leaders, and South Africa, who, less than a decade earlier was suffering through sanctions imposed because of Apartheid, was finally equal.