history of apartheid

By andreaa_brb

  • Apartheid policy

    Policy of apartheid (separateness) adopted when National Party (NP) takes power.

  • Begining of segregation

    Population classified by race. Group Areas Act passed to segregate blacks and whites. ANC responds with campaign of civil disobedience, led by Nelson Mandela.

  • ANC banned

    Seventy black demonstrators killed at Sharpeville.
    + (in the 1960s) International pressure against government begins, South Africa excluded from Olympic Games.

  • S-A leaves the Commonwealth

    South Africa declared a republic, leaves the Commonwealth. Mandela heads ANC's new military wing, which launches sabotage campaign.

  • Mandela go to prison

    ANC leader Nelson Mandela sentenced to life imprisonment.

  • Prime minister assassinated

    Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd assassinated.

  • People forcibly resettled

    More than 3 million people forcibly resettled in black 'homelands'.

  • to 1989; township revolt, state of emergency

  • FW de Klerk replaces PW Botha as president

    FW de Klerk replaces PW Botha as president, meets Mandela. Public facilities desegregated. Many ANC activists freed.

  • ANC unbanned, Mandela is free

    (Mandela released after 27 years in prison)

  • De Klerk repeals remaining apartheid laws, sanctions lifted

    • Start of multi-party talks.

  • Agreement on interim constitution

  • Mandela becomes president

    ANC wins first non-racial elections. Mandela becomes president, Government of National Unity formed, Commonwealth membership restored, remaining sanctions lifted. South Africa takes seat in UN General Assembly after 20-year absence.