Segregation
Post-Union
Exploring the roots of apartheid in South Africa.
Agenda •Historical background of segregation
•Key features of segregation policies
•Impact of legislative acts
•Resistance against segregation
•Path to formal apartheid
Introduction to
Segregation
Segregation in South Africa emerged after the Union's formation in
1910, establishing systemic racial divisions. This era saw laws like
the Native Land Act, which restricted land ownership for Black
South Africans, laying groundwork for apartheid. Pass laws further
enforced territorial segregation, defining movement and access.
Key Features of
Segregation
•Racial classification enforced by law
•Restrictions on public spaces for
non-whites
•Housing policies favored white
residents
•Native Land Act limited black land
ownership
Racial
Classification
System
The Population Registration Act
classified South Africans by race,
establishing a framework for apartheid.
It categorized individuals into groups
such as White, Native, and Coloured.
This legal classification led to systemic
discrimination and territorial
segregation across the nation.
Impact of the
The colour bar was a legal framework
Colour
ensuring Bar
white supremacy by
restricting job opportunities for Black
South Africans. For example, the Native
Land Act of 1913 limited land
ownership for non-white individuals,
further entrenching segregation. This
system institutionalized racial
discrimination, paving the way for
apartheid policies.
Territorial
Segregation
Territorial segregation was a
systematic enforcement of racial
divisions, solidifying areas designated
for white inhabitants only. For example,
the Native Land Act of 1913 restricted
land ownership for Black South
Africans, effectively creating racially
exclusive communities. This laid the
groundwork for the later formalization
of apartheid in South Africa.
Native Land Act
Overview
•Enacted in 1913 in South Africa
•Restricted land for Black South
Africans
•Designated areas became
'Bantustans'
•Founded basis for future apartheid
laws
Consequences of the
Native Land Act
The Native Land Act of 1913 significantly increased poverty among
Black communities by restricting land ownership to only 7% of
South Africa. This led to widespread land dispossession and forced
many Black families into overcrowded urban areas. The socio-
economic impacts laid groundwork for future apartheid policies.
The System of Passes
Pass laws restricted Black South Africans' movement, enforcing
racial segregation. For example, the 1923 Natives (Urban Areas)
Act mandated passbooks for Black individuals, limiting where they
could work or reside. This system was a crucial element in the
establishment of apartheid.
Resistance to
Segregation
•Formation of the African National
Congress (ANC) in 1912
•The 1920s protests against the
Native Land Act
•Boycotts of discriminatory laws in
the 1930s
•Emergence of youth organizations
advocating for rights
Designing Apartheid's
Framework
The segregation policies of the 1920s and 1930s established legal
frameworks that facilitated racial discrimination. For instance, the
Native Land Act of 1913 restricted land ownership for Black South
Africans, reinforcing territorial segregation. These policies
cumulatively laid the groundwork for the formal apartheid system
introduced in 1948.
Legal Foundations of
Apartheid
The legal structure supporting apartheid originated from earlier
segregation laws, such as the Native Land Act of 1913, which
restricted land ownership for Black South Africans. Additionally, the
colour bar enforced racial discrimination in labor markets. By the
1930s, passes and territorial segregation laws further
institutionalized systemic inequality, laying the groundwork for
apartheid.
Economic
Disparities
•Land Act limited black land
ownership
•Colour bar restricted job
opportunities
•Pass laws controlled black
movement
•Territorial segregation enforced
resource division
Social Fabric of
Segregation
Racial segregation reshaped social interactions in South Africa,
creating divisions that defined community life. For example, the
Native Land Act restricted black South Africans' access to land,
fostering inequality. Such policies laid the groundwork for the
institutionalized racism of apartheid.
Education and
Segregation
•Schools segregated by race after
the union's formation.
•Contrast in resources: white schools
vs. Black schools.
•Examples: Native Land Act limited
land access.
•Segregation laid groundwork for
future apartheid laws.
Cultural
Implications
Segregation in the 1920s and 1930s
entrenched racial identities in South
Africa, leading to distinct cultural
practices. The Native Land Act
restricted land ownership, fostering a
sense of separation among groups.
These factors ultimately laid the
groundwork for the formalized
apartheid system.
The Role of the ANC
The African National Congress (ANC) played a pivotal role in
challenging segregation laws, such as the Native Land Act of 1913.
During the 1920s and 1930s, the ANC organized protests and
advocated for racial equality, laying the groundwork for future anti-
apartheid efforts. Their efforts highlighted the injustices faced by
black South Africans under the oppressive colour bar system.
International
Perspectives
During the 1920s and 1930s, global attitudes toward racial
segregation influenced South Africa's policies towards its non-white
population. The Native Land Act of 1913, which restricted land
ownership for Black South Africans, laid groundwork for systemic
apartheid. These external views highlighted racial hierarchies,
promoting segregation like the 'colour bar' in labor markets.
Path to Apartheid
The transition from segregation to apartheid in South Africa was
marked by laws such as the Native Land Act of 1913, which
restricted land ownership for Black South Africans. Additionally, the
introduction of passes defined movement and employment, laying
the groundwork for systemic oppression. These measures
institutionalized racial discrimination that would culminate in formal
apartheid in 1948.
Global Scrutiny
of Apartheid
•International boycott of South
African goods
•UN condemnations of apartheid
policies
•Support for ANC from global leaders
•Increased visibility of anti-apartheid
movements
Comparing Segregation
and Apartheid
Segregation laws and apartheid both enforced racial discrimination,
creating divisions. For example, the Native Land Act restricted
Black land ownership, paralleling apartheid's territorial segregation.
Both systems were rooted in the belief of white supremacy.
Key Figures of
Change
•Nelson Mandela - Anti-apartheid
leader
•Walter Sisulu - Key ANC strategist
•Albertina Sisulu - Activist and nurse
•Oliver Tambo - ANC president in
exile
Reflection on
Segregation
Segregation in the 1920s and 1930s established laws that built the
apartheid system. The Native Land Act restricted land ownership
for Black people, reinforcing economic disparities. Reflect on how
these historical policies continue to influence contemporary South
African society.
Discussion
Prompt
How did segregation in the 1920s and
1930s shape the social and political
landscape that led to apartheid?
Consider the impact of legislation like
the Native Land Act and the Colour Bar.
Conclusion on
Segregation
The segregation policies of the 1920s and 1930s laid the
groundwork for apartheid by enforcing racial division. Key
measures like the Colour Bar and the Native Land Act
institutionalized inequalities. These frameworks created a system
of oppression that institutionalized segregation across South Africa.
Final Thoughts
The legacy of segregation laid the
groundwork for apartheid in South
Africa. Understanding this history
underscores the importance of fighting
for equality and justice across the
globe.
Resources
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvVx7uEJnvEhttps://
www.youtube.com/watch?
v=NBlqcAEv4nk&pp=0gcJCdgAo7VqN5tDhttps://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nje1U7jJOHIhttps://
www.youtube.com/watch?
v=7l9D8D0zUpQ&pp=0gcJCfwAo7VqN5tD
•Segregation laid groundwork for
apartheid.
Conclusio •Racial discrimination enforced through
laws.
n •Legislation affected social and economic
structures.
•Resistance movements emerged in
response.
•Understanding history underscores the
fight for equality.
