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Founding of Cape Colony
Cape Colony founded by Dutch. Over the next 100 years, Dutch expand their holdings. Natives become dependent and fall into the role of servants and slaves -
British take over Cape Colony
British find Cape Colony desireable and take control. Dutch live under British rule for 30 years. -
The Great Trek
Dutch decide to leave British control. They trave linland across the Orange Rivev and meet African resistance. -
Orange Free State and Transvaal
Colonies flourish under Dutch rule. -
Diamonds discovered
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Gold Rush: African-style
WIth the discovery of gold and diamonds in the Dutch colonies, British prospectors enter Dutch territory and begin to stake claims. Tensions rise between Dutch and British. -
Gold discovered
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Anglo-Boer War
War between British (Anglos) and Boers (Dutch). British win, but both sides are devastated -
New constitution
Unon of South Africa adopts a new constitution that supports the concept of racial supremacy. -
Union of South Africa established
The British comine two Afrikaner republics and two British colonies in to new country called the Union of South Africa. It was a self-governing country, but part of the British empire. -
African National Congress established
Political organization established by blacks in hopes of bettering their conditions under the new constitution. Laws continue to be pass that discriminate against and separate out blacks. -
Native Land Act passed
Prevents African from owning or buying land except in "reserves" or homlelands. -
Afrikaner Nationalist Party wins national election
Gains control of the government. and establishes system of apartheid -
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Apartheid system on South Africa
Apartheid--separation of the races--becomes official policy of the government. The population is divided into 4 racial groups (whites, coloreds, Asians, and Africans). Blacks and Coloreds had to carry passbooks at all times. -
Group Areas Act passed
Divides South Africa into 10 Homelands or Bantusans where black population would be forced to live. Blacks lived in townships outside the cities and separate from whites. The goal was to have each homeland eventually become an independent tribal nation. Never happens. -
Sharpeville Resistance
Black demonstrate against pass laws--i.e. having to carry around passbooks. 69 people die and government passes harsher laws such as outlawing the ANC -
Nelson Mandela leads African National Congress
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Nelson Mandela jailed in 1962
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Soweto Demonstration
Blacks demonstrate against a regulation that made Afrikans (Afrikaner language), the language of instruction in school. Police fired on demonstrators and hundreds were killed. -
Steven Biko dies
Steven Biko, leader of the Black Consciousness Movement, killed. International communty condemns the South African government. -
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Period of revolt, resistance, repression and reform
Nelson Mandela jailed again. Inkatha Freedom Party, led by Butheleza--a Zulu chief--is formed -
Economic sanctions against South Africa
Global nations impose economic sanctions (no trade, no loans, no economic aid, no private investment). South Africa responds by ending passbooks and eliminating forced moves to homelands. -
F.W. de Klerk elected President
Elected President on an anti-apartheid platform -
de Klerk announces end to Apartheid
Announces end to all racial separation laws and proposes a new constitution that treats all races equally -
South Africa passes new constitution
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First democratic election held in South Africa
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Nelson Mandela elected President of South Africa
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World Cup hosted by South Africa
