Ari Gilder, 2-406!
1. Who instituted the policy of Apartheid in South Africa? Why?
The descendants of the original Dutch settlers in South Africa, the Afrikaners, had transformed the unofficial segregation system between whites and non-whites into official governmental law. Although they claimed that it was to promote “separate but equal development of the races,” it was only a ploy for them to gain supremacy in the government.
2. Describe the basic fundamental policies of Apartheid.
Apartheid divded the races in South Africa into four classes: Bantus (blacks), colored (mixed race), Asians and whites. There were certain places where these four races were permitted to live, and when travelling outside of those places, one had to carry identification. Intermarriage between races was prohibited. There were certain preset pay scales for each race, and non-whites were not allowed to have higher-paying jobs.
3. What was the purpose of the ANC? How did it attempt to achieve its goal?
The ANC, or African National Congress, was an organization against the apartheid laws. They had adopted the ideas of Indian nationalist leader Mohandas Gandhi and had organized protests and displays of civil disobedience. The members of the ANC had openly violated the apartheid laws, displaying their discontent.
4. How did the South African government respond to demonstrations against Apartheid?
A peaceful ANC demonstration in the city of Sharpeville in 1960 was responded to by the South African government brutally and violently. The South African police opened fire on the demonstrators, killing over 60 people and hundreds more injured. The government maintained a policy of repression. Another demonstration in Soweto was crushed by the government leaving 575 people dead.
5. How did the world respond to the treatment of blacks in South Africa?
In 1985, the South African government faced the threat of urban guerilla warfare and in response had increased its military and police forces. In response, the Western nations had condemned South Africa for the apartheid laws and had placed sanctions on it. This forced the South African government to relax some of the apartheid laws.
6. How did F.W. de Klerk change the atmosphere in South Africa?
De Klerk had in overall supported reforms in South Africa. He had ended the ban on rallies against apartheid, and had legalized the African National Congress. Also, he released Nelson Mandela, an ANC leader, in 1990. De Klerk expressed his desire to work with Mandela and other leaders in order to build a new South Africa and pass new reforms that would be beneficial to the people.