Apartheid
Apartheid, an Afrikaans term that translates literally as "apartness," was the law of the land in South Africa from 1948 until 1990.
History of apartheid
Origin and pre-1948 development
From the 1948 election to the Sharpeville Massacre
Apartheid during the "silent sixties"
Reforming apartheid
The impetus to reform apartheid stemmed from a resurgence of labor unrest and antiapartheid protest activity during the 1970s.
In response to these developments, in 1977, the government appointed the Commission of Inquiry into Labour Legislation, more commonly known as the Wiehahn Commission. Soon afterwards, a second commission, the Commission of Inquiry into the Utilization of Manpower, or Riekert Commission, was appointed.
The end of apartheid
On February 2, 1990, President F.W. de Klerk announced that his government would begin negotiations with representatives of the various racial communities in South Africa to produce a new, egalitarian constitution. In the same speech, he announced Nelson Mandela's release from prison and the legalization of banned and restricted organizations.
Repeal of apartheid policies
The government began repealing apartheid with its October 15 passage of the Discriminatory Legislation Regarding Public Amenities Repeal Act of 1990.
Democratic negotiations and regime transition
Apartheid legislation
Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act (1949): made it illegal for whites to marry non-whites.
Immorality Amendment Act (1950): amended the Immorality Act of 1927, which had prohibited sexual intercourse between "Europeans" and "Natives." The 1950 amendment extended the prohibition to all "non-European" racial groups.
Population Registration Act (1950): provided for the establishment of a national population registry and required that all South Africans be registered as either "a white person, a coloured person or a native."[1]
Group Areas Act (1950): required people to live in areas designated for their racial group.
Suppression of Communism Act (1950): empowered the government to ban subversive publications, organizations, and individuals. While the act was aimed most directly at the Communist Party of South Africa (CPSA), its very broad definition of "communism" enabled the government to rely on it for the repression of a wide range of antiapartheid organizations and dissidents.
Prevention of Illegal Squatting Act (1951)
Reservation of Separate Amenities Act (1953)
Natives Resettlement Act (1954)
Group Areas Development Act (1955)
Promotion of Bantu Self-Government Act (1959)