Apartheid Reading Comprehension Exercises - 115403

Apartheid
Apartheid was a system of racial segregation enforced through legislation by

the National Party (NP) governments of South Africa. In this system, which
lasted from 1948 to 1994, the rights of the majority black inhabitants of
South Africa were curtailed and white supremacy and Afrikaner minority rule
was maintained. South West Africans were also victims of apartheid as this
country was administered by South Africa under a League of Nations mandate
until it gained independence as Namibia in 1990.
Apartheid as an official policy was introduced following the general election of

1948. New legislation classified inhabitants into four racial groups ("native",
"white", "coloured", and "Asian"), On paper it appeared to call for equal
development and freedom of cultural expression, but the way it was
implemented made this impossible. Apartheid made laws forced the different racial groups to live separately
and develop separately, and grossly unequally too. and residential areas were segregated, sometimes by
means of forced removals. Non-white political representation was completely abolished in 1970, and starting
in that year black people were deprived of their citizenship.. It tried to stop all inter-marriage and social
integration between racial groups
The government segregated education, medical care, beaches, and

other public services, restricted each race to certain types of jobs,
curtailed nonwhite labour unions, and denied nonwhite participation
(through white representatives) in the national government. During
apartheid, to have a friendship with someone of a different race
generally brought suspicion upon you, or worse. More than this,
apartheid was a social system which severely disadvantaged the
majority of the population, simply because they did not share the
skin colour of the rulers. Many were kept just above destitution
because they were 'non-white'.. In short, it provided black people with services inferior to those of white
people..
Apartheid sparked significant internal resistance and violence as well as a long arms and trade embargo
against South Africa. Although the government had the power to suppress virtually all criticism of its
policies, there was always some opposition to apartheid within South Africa. Black African groups, with the
support of some whites, held demonstrations and strikes, and there were many instances of violent protest
and of sabotage. Some white politicians called for the relaxation of minor restrictions, referred to as “petty
apartheid,” or for the establishment of racial equality.
In addition to the unrest resulting from the internal protests, the sanctions placed on South Africa by the
West made it increasingly difficult for the government to maintain the regime. Apartheid received
international censure. South Africa was forced to withdraw from the Commonwealth in 1961 when it became
apparent that other member countries would not accept its racial policies. In 1985 both the United Kingdom
and the United States imposed selective economic sanctions on South Africa
In 1990 President Frederik Willem de Klerk began negotiations to end apartheid. A new constitution that
enfranchised blacks and other racial groups was adopted in 1993 and took effect in 1994, culminating in
multi-racial democratic elections in 1994, which were won by the African National Congress under Nelson
Mandela.
www.sahistory.org.za, www.britannica.com
Find words in the text that mean:
population ____________________ triggered ____________________
imposed ____________________ restriction ____________________
diminished ____________________ damage ____________________
carried out ____________________ authorization____________________
president ____________________ empower ____________________
poverty ____________________ come to a climax__________________
Answer the following questions. Justify your response.
Apartheid started in South Africa in 1970. True False
____________________________________________________________
It lasted from 1948 to 1994 True False
____________________________________________________________
South Africans were the only people to suffer from apartheid. True False
____________________________________________________________
Why were South West Africans victims of apartheid ?
____________________________________________________________
Cite the 4 racial groups in South Africa
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
On paper Apartheid appeared to call for equal development and freedom of cultural
expression. How did this work out in practice?
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Non-white political representation in government was abolished in 1970 True False
____________________________________________________________
2 years later, Non-white peoples lost their citizenship. True False

____________________________________________________________
Answer the following questions. Justify your response.
Cite five different aspects to apartheid, how did the government segregate the groups.
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Apartheid severely disadvantaged the white majority of the population
True False
____________________________________________________________
How did some Black African groups show their opposition to apartheid within South Africa.?
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
How did other countries show their opposition to apartheid in South Africa.?
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
In 1993 President Frederik Willem de Klerk began negotiations to end apartheid
True False
____________________________________________________________
The multi-racial democratic elections in 1994 were won by de Klerk's party.
True False
____________________________________________________________
Describe what you see. Use the
information in the text as a historical
background.
Describe what you see.
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Apartheid

Apartheid was a system of racial segregation enforced through legislation by

Apartheid as an official policy was introduced following the general election of

The government segregated education, medical care, beaches, and

population ____________________ triggered ____________________

imposed ____________________ restriction ____________________

diminished ____________________ damage ____________________

carried out ____________________ authorization____________________

president ____________________ empower ____________________

poverty ____________________ come to a climax__________________

Answer the following questions. Justify your response.

Apartheid started in South Africa in 1970. True False

It lasted from 1948 to 1994 True False

Why were South West Africans victims of apartheid ?

Cite the 4 racial groups in South Africa

expression. How did this work out in practice?

Non-white political representation in government was abolished in 1970 True False

2 years later, Non-white peoples lost their citizenship. True False

Answer the following questions. Justify your response.

Apartheid severely disadvantaged the white majority of the population

The multi-racial democratic elections in 1994 were won by de Klerk's party.

Describe what you see.

Describe what you see.

Describe what you see.

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population triggered

imposed restriction

diminished damage

carried out authorization

president empower

poverty __ come to a climax