THE APARTHEID SYSTEM AND SOUTH AFRICA By Quintin
THE APARTHEID SYSTEM AND SOUTH AFRICA By: Quintin Gunn, Steven Claycomb, and Tyler Youngblood
How South Africa was Founded • In 1652, the Dutch began a colony at the southern tip of Africa, they called this place Cape Town. These people called themselves Boers, which means farmer in Dutch, or Afrikaners, from the word “Afrikaans. ” • In 1795, the British came along and took Cape Town from the Dutch for Military reasons. After this, the Boers were taken as slaves to the British and in 1833, about 12, 000 Boers escaped into South Africa’s interior and settled into small villages. After news had reached to British that gold and diamonds has been where they lost the Boers, a series of wars had broken out which eventually ended in English victory. As a result, all of South Africa became a British Colony.
Overview of Apartheid • The Apartheid System was a set of rules started by the Nationalist Party in South Africa in 1948 in order to establish White Supremacy. These rules determined where one would live, work, go to school, shop, etc. • In the Apartheid System, everyone was classified into one of four races: Black, White, Colored (mixed with White and Black), and Asian. • The Majority of the population was Black with 75%, Whites 14%, colored 9%, and Asian 3% • During Apartheid, the government designated Blacks with 10 homelands into which the would live. Their homes where tiny run-down shacks with no electricity or running water. In order to leave the homelands, the had to have a pass. If they leave without a pass, they would get arrested. • Blacks offered fewer jobs at lower wages then the Whites or other races, nor could they run for political office or vote. • Because other countries strongly disagreed with Apartheid, most cut relations with South Africa in the 1970’s and 80’s. They stopped operating their factories and athletes and teams refused to play in South Africa.
Abolishing Apartheid • The dominantly White government of South Africa dismantled the Apartheid system in 1991. • There were a few illegal activist groups against the policies of Apartheid and they were legalized as well. Their leader, Nelson Mandela was finally released from jail after 27 years of being convicted for illegal protesting. • In 1994, Blacks were able to vote and run for office and Mandela became the country’s first Black president.
Review Question 1. What was the Apartheid System?
Answer • A set of rules set in order to establish White Supremacy in South Africa.
Review Question 2. Who were the Boers?
Answer • The Dutch colonists who established the city of Cape Town.
Review Question 3. T/F The British captured the city of Cape Town to help ship their English goods around the world.
Answer • False, they captured Cape Town for Military reasons.
Review Question 4. What four races were people in South Africa classified as?
Answer • Black, White, Colored, and Asian.
Review Question 5. The Apartheid Laws were created by which political party and why?
Answer • Apartheid was created by the nationalist party in order to achieve White Supremacy.
Review Question 6. What were homelands? How many were there under Apartheid?
Answer • Sections of the country where the government designated Black to live. There were 10.
Review Question 7. When was the Apartheid System abolished?
Answer • 1991.
Review Question 8. Who was the main influence on the dismantling of Apartheid? How many years did he spend in jail?
Answer • Nelson Mandela. He spent 27 years in jail.
Review Question 9. Were other countries happy with South Africa’s new policies? What did they do to express how to felt about it?
Answer • Most of other countries were not impressed by Apartheid. They pulled all ties with South Africa; they closed down their factories and even forbid their athletes and teams from playing there.
Review Questions 10. What does the word Boer mean?
Answer • It mean farmer in Dutch.
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