Anti-Apartheid Movement

About

The Anti-Apartheid Movement was a global effort to end the apartheid system in South Africa, which was based on racial segregation and white supremacy. Apartheid, formalized in 1948, included laws restricting interracial marriage, property ownership, and racial registration. The movement gained momentum internationally, with key centers of activism in Britain and the United States. It involved boycotts, divestment, and sanctions to pressure the South African government to reform. The movement was supported by various organizations, including the African National Congress (ANC), churches, and trade unions. Nelson Mandela became a symbolic figurehead for the movement, particularly during his imprisonment. The "Free Nelson Mandela" campaign in the 1980s mobilized international support, culminating in his release in 1990. This marked a significant step towards ending apartheid, as negotiations for a democratic South Africa began. The movement's success was also due to international pressure, including UN resolutions condemning apartheid and economic sanctions imposed by several countries. The Anti-Apartheid Movement achieved its goal with South Africa's first democratic elections in 1994, marking the end of apartheid and the beginning of a new era of racial equality.