Define the apartheid system.

The apartheid system was a state-sanctioned system of racial segregation and discrimination that took place in South Africa from 1948 to the early 1990s. The term "apartheid" is derived from the Afrikaans word for "apartness," and the policies enforced by the apartheid regime were designed to institutionalize and perpetuate racial divisions between the country's different population groups.

Under apartheid, South Africa's diverse population was classified into four racial categories: white, black, colored (mixed-race), and Indian/Asian. The government implemented a series of laws and policies that systematically marginalized and oppressed the majority black population, while granting privileges and preferential treatment to the white minority.

Key features of the apartheid system included:

1. Racial Segregation: Apartheid enforced strict separation of racial groups in all aspects of life, including residential areas, public facilities, education, and employment. This segregation was enforced through the establishment of racially designated areas, schools, and public spaces.

2. Pass Laws: Non-white individuals were required to carry passbooks that detailed their racial classification and permitted their presence in specific areas. Failure to produce the passbook upon demand by authorities could result in arrest and punishment.

3. Limited Political Rights: The black majority was systematically denied political representation and participation. Non-white individuals were excluded from voting in general elections, and a series of discriminatory laws restricted their involvement in political activities.

4. Separate Development: Apartheid policies aimed at justifying racial segregation by advocating for the idea of "separate but equal" development for different racial groups. In reality, the resources and opportunities allocated to non-white communities were vastly inferior to those provided for the white population.

5. Bantu Education Act: The government implemented an education system that segregated schools based on race and provided inferior education to non-white students. The goal was to perpetuate economic and social disparities between racial groups.

6. Forced Removals: Non-white communities were forcibly relocated from areas designated for white development through a series of forced removals. This policy displaced millions of people, leading to the destruction of vibrant communities and cultural ties.

7. Suppression of Dissent: The apartheid government used censorship, imprisonment, and brutality to suppress any opposition to its discriminatory policies. Activists and leaders who spoke out against apartheid were often arrested, tortured, or killed.

The apartheid system faced international condemnation for its flagrant violations of human rights and racial equality. The global anti-apartheid movement, along with internal resistance led by figures like Nelson Mandela, played a crucial role in bringing about the dismantling of apartheid. The end of apartheid marked a significant turning point in South African history, leading to the establishment of a more inclusive and democratic political system. Nelson Mandela, who had been imprisoned for 27 years, was released in 1990, and in 1994, South Africa held its first multiracial democratic elections, with Mandela becoming the country's first black president.