Apartheid Review

Flashcards about the key people, events, and concepts during the Apartheid era in South Africa.

Apartheid

Racial segregation that discriminates solely on the grounds of race, developed after WWII by Afrikaner National Party and Broederbond organizations.

Afrikaner National Party

Gained power in 1948 and enforced racial segregation, forcing non-white South Africans to live in separate areas and use separate public facilities.

1913 Land Act

Marked the beginning of territorial segregation, forcing black Africans to live in reserves and making it illegal to work as sharecroppers.

African National Congress (ANC)

Founded in 1912, aimed to represent the interests of Black people in face of discrimination.

Alexandra Bus Boycott

1957 protest by South Africans against a bus fare increase, demonstrating resistance to the fare hike and wider Apartheid policies.

Defiance Campaign

Launched by ANC in 1952, a major anti-apartheid protest involving nonviolent civil disobedience and defiance of apartheid laws.

Black Sash Movement

South African women's organization that emerged during apartheid, initially opposing racism and segregation, later advocating for social justice and marginalized communities.

Sharpeville Massacre

March 1960, where the Pan-Africanist Congress (PAC) organized a demonstration for the abolition of South Africa's pass laws, resulting in 69 deaths and 180 injuries.

Steve Biko

Founded Black Consciousness Movement and the South African Students' Organization; government saw him as a threat and he died from state officer brutality.

Desmond Tutu

South African Anglican cleric known for work as an Anti-apartheid and Human Rights. Bishop of Johannesburg (1985-1986) and Archbishop of Cape Town (1986-1996).

Nelson Mandela

Joined ANC in 1943; led the Defiance Campaign; founded Spear of the Nation; arrested in 1962; served 27 years in prison; served as president of South Africa from 1994-1999.

Spear of the Nation (Umkhonto we Sizwe)

Paramilitary wing of ANC, founded by Nelson Mandela to fight against the South African government's racist policies after Sharpeville Massacre.

End of Apartheid

New constitution enfranchised blacks and other racial groups in 1996, marking the official end to the apartheid system.