Turning Points in South African History since 1948

Study Notes

Turning Points in Modern South African History since 1948 (Apartheid Period)

Human Rights: Every person is entitled to fundamental rights that cannot be taken away.
Apartheid's False Premise: It was built on the flawed notion that certain racial groups were inherently inferior, creating categories of: white, Indians, Coloureds, and blacks.
Early Segregation (Pre-1948):
- Pass Laws: Prohibited black people from residing in urban areas.
- Wage Inequality: Black workers received lower wages than their white counterparts.
- Land Restrictions: The Native Land Act (1913) limited black ownership of land.
- Townships: Black residents in urban areas were confined to designated townships.
- Union Suppression: Black workers were denied the right to form trade unions.
- Coloured Bar Act: Skilled and semi-skilled black workers were excluded from the voters' roll.
The National Party's Role:
- They supported the apartheid system, arguing it would resolve racial tensions.
- D.F. Malan became Prime Minister in 1948.
- Hendrick Verwoerd (architect of apartheid) drafted numerous discriminatory laws.
Key Apartheid Laws:
- Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act (1949): Outlawed marriage between people of different racial groups.
- Immorality Amendment Act (1950): Criminalized sexual relationships between different races.
- Population Registration Act (1950): Classified individuals by race and created racial categories.
- Group Areas Act (1950): Mandated segregation of residential areas based on race.
- Suppression of Communism Act (1950): Used to silence opposition to apartheid.
- Native Abolition of Passes and Co-ordination of Documents Act (1952): Required black people to carry passes for movement and identification.
- Separate Amenities Act (1953): Established separate facilities for different races in public spaces.
- Bantu Education Act (1953): Established a segregated and inferior education system for black children.
- Bantu Self-Government Act (1959): Intended to create racially segregated self-governing territories for black communities.
Apartheid's Nature: A system of enforced racial segregation encompassing economic, social, political, and geographical aspects. It was rooted in the belief of white superiority.
Segregation: The separation of people based on racial classifications.
Trade Unions: Organizations that protect workers' rights and promote worker welfare within the workplace.

Description

Explore the critical turning points in modern South African history from 1948, focusing on the Apartheid period. This quiz covers human rights issues, early segregation practices, and the role of the National Party in enforcing racial divisions. Test your knowledge on the implications of Apartheid on society and its legacy.