Apartheid
May 26, 1948 – April 27, 1994 · Era in Union of South Africa, South Africa
Institutionalized racial segregation in South Africa and South West Africa from 1948 to 1994, keeping the white minority dominant politically, socially, and economically over Indians, Coloureds, and black Africans in that order. Petty apartheid segregated public facilities; grand apartheid segregated housing and employment by race. Its first law was the 1949 Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act.
Key people
Nelson Mandela
Leader of the ANC, Led resistance to apartheid; imprisoned 1962-1990; elected president in 1994
Hendrik Verwoerd
Prime Minister of South Africa, Built apartheid into a full system of separate development
P. W. Botha
State President of South Africa, Defended apartheid with emergency rule while making limited reforms
F. W. de Klerk
State President of South Africa, Released Mandela and negotiated the end of apartheid
D. F. Malan
Prime Minister of South Africa, His National Party government introduced apartheid laws from 1948
Participants
Battles and events 2
- Sharpeville massacre March 21, 1960
- Soweto uprising June 16, 1976
