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Apartheid And Mandela

The Apartheid system implemented by the National Party in 1948 in South Africa idealised white supremacy. It consisted of numerous laws that segregated and exploited Africans, Asians and Coloured. These racial groups were opposed to such discrimination and the African National Congress (ANC) was the anti-apartheid movement that fought towards liberation of the African's. The ANC strove for a democratic society with equal human and political rights. Nelson Mandela was the most significant figure in achieving opposition of apartheid. This is evident in that he was able to immensely increase support against apartheid as well as inflict violent resistance and threats on the government. By maintaining his hope and giving continuous encouragement to the ANC whilst imprisoned, Mandela was successful in opposing and terminating the apartheid system.

Preceding the National Party's introduction of the system of apartheid, Mandela helped form the ANC Youth League in 1944 which aimed to transform the ANC from using tactics such as petitions and deputations to a more non-cooperation mass political movement. This change was then implemented by the ANC in 1949 as their ‘program of action' as a result of the harsh discriminative laws against the African's. The program advocated the use of boycotts, strikes, and civil disobedience in peaceful protests against apartheid. The ‘program of action' called for mass resistance to Afrikaner authority. The transformation instigated by Mandela was significant as it set off the campaigns to be executed in opposition of apartheid.

In May 1950, Mandela, the ANC and other organizations organized a strike against the racial policies of the government. The strike lead to unnecessary shootings by the police. This event caused deep resentment amongst the African's. Consequently, the ANC organized a national day of protest on June 26th, 1950. In 1952 the ANC performed mass action in defiance of apartheid laws....

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