South Africa: Apartheid, UDHR, and Human Rights (Video Notes)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to apartheid, UDHR, racism, and resistance as discussed in the video notes.

Human Rights

The basic rights and freedoms all people have from birth to death (e.g., freedom of speech, right to work, education).

Apartheid

A system of institutionalized racial segregation in South Africa (1948–early 1990s) built on racism and white supremacy; whites held all power.

Segregation

The act of separating people or groups based on race, religion, or ethnicity.

Repression

The use of force or violence to control a group.

Resistance

A refusal to accept or comply; organized opposition to oppression.

Non-Violent Resistance

Achieving social or political goals through protests, civil disobedience, boycotts, and other peaceful means.

Defiance Campaign

The first large-scale, multiracial political mobilization against apartheid laws.

Treason

The crime of attempting to overthrow or harm one’s government.

Freedom Charter

A foundational document outlining core principles of the anti-apartheid movement.

Massacre

The killing of many people in a violent and cruel way.

Banned

Prohibited by law or authority.

Programme of Action

Non-violent actions such as civil disobedience and strikes to resist apartheid.

United Nations (UNO)

International organization formed after WWII to promote peace, human rights, and cooperation.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

1948 document setting universal standards for how people should be treated and defended.

Racism

The belief that some races are inherently superior and the discrimination that results.

Race (concept)

A socially constructed, scientifically unsupported category used to divide people; used to justify discrimination.

Afrikaner

White South Africans of Dutch descent; part of the white minority ruling class.

Native/Bantu

Terms used in apartheid-era classifications for Black Africans; ‘Native’ or ‘Bantu’ were commonly used labels.

Coloured

A racial category in South Africa for people of mixed ancestry.

Indian

One of the racial groups used in South Africa’s apartheid era classifications.

Group Areas Act (1950)

Law designating residential areas for different racial groups and enforcing forced removals.

Population Registration Act (1950)

Law requiring racial classification of people for purposes of segregation.

Land Act 1913 / Native Land Act 1936

Laws restricting Africans to designated lands (start at 7% then 13%), dispossessing land and forcing labor.

Pass Laws

System requiring Black South Africans to carry passes to live or work in certain areas.

Bantu Education Act (1953)

Law segregating education to prepare Black students for menial jobs and reinforcing inferiority.

Soweto Uprising (1976)

Mass student protests against Bantu Education and apartheid policies.