The African National Congress and the Fight Against South African Apartheid

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The word “apartheid” means “separateness” in Afrikaans Language. Human Rights, according to “Article 1, UN Declaration of Rights” states that “ All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in spirit of brotherhood”. The native Africans were being segregated from the whites and were treated as second class citizens. The black residents felt that the apartheid policies violated their rights. Human rights of South African natives were violated when a racial segregation system, called Apartheid, based upon skin color was established by the South African government. Although there were various international responses, the actions of such groups as the African National Congress displayed defiance and bravery in the midst of severe situations.

Racial segregation and white domination had become main aspects of South African policy way before apartheid began. Although apartheid in South Africa technically formed in 1948, Africa’s history of racial oppression began as early as the mid-17th century. Unofficial apartheid began the moment when the Dutch East India Company set up a station on the Cape. South Africa is a country blessed with a plentiful abundance of natural resources. These natural resources being fertile farmlands and rare mineral resources. The climate resembles the San Francisco Bay Area more than any other location in the world. This is one of various reasons why the Dutch wanted to colonize it. South Africa was colonized by the English and Dutch in the 17th century. Dutch colonists, also known as Boers or Afrikaners, were controlled by the English resulting in the Dutch forming the new colonies of Orange Free State and Tran...

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...ctions of such groups as the African National Congress displayed defiance and bravery in the midst of extremely tough situations. South African native’s rights were being violated because they were being treated poorly and harshly. If anyone tried to protest, even protest with peaceful means, they were either shot at or arrested. The ANC was developed to fight the battle against apartheid. Eventually, this fortunately led to the end of apartheid in 1994. The humanity of all people are diminished when any group is withhold of rights that our granted to others.

Works Cited

http://www-cs-students.stanford.edu/~cale/cs201/apartheid.hist.html

http://www.history.com/topics/apartheid

http://www.sahistory.org.za/liberation-struggle-south-africa/apartheid-and-limits-non-violent-resistance-1948-1960

http://www.un.org/cyberschoolbus/discrim/race_b_at_print.asp

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