Arrange these events in South Africa’s history in chronological order.
Tiles
South Africa establishes the
apartheid system.
Nelson Mandela becomes the first
elected black president of
South Africa.
The Sharpeville Massacre occurs.
South Africa becomes independent
from Great Britain.
Nelson Mandela is imprisoned.
Sequence
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct chronological order of the events in South Africa’s history is as follows:
- South Africa becomes independent from Great Britain (1910)
- South Africa establishes the apartheid system (1948)
- The Sharpeville Massacre occurs (1960)
- Nelson Mandela is imprisoned (1962)
- Nelson Mandela becomes the first elected black president of South Africa (1994)
Explanation:
- South Africa becomes independent from Great Britain (1910): South Africa gained partial independence from Great Britain with the formation of the Union of South Africa in 1910. While still part of the British Empire, it became a self-governing dominion. The country’s independence was formalized with the Statute of Westminster in 1931.
- South Africa establishes the apartheid system (1948): In 1948, the National Party, led by Daniel François Malan, came to power and introduced the apartheid system. This policy of racial segregation and discrimination was designed to maintain white supremacy and control over the nonwhite population, particularly through laws that restricted the rights and movements of nonwhite South Africans.
- The Sharpeville Massacre occurs (1960): In 1960, protests against apartheid laws led to the tragic Sharpeville Massacre, where 69 unarmed black protesters were killed by police. This event significantly increased international condemnation of South Africa’s apartheid regime and spurred further resistance within the country.
- Nelson Mandela is imprisoned (1962): Nelson Mandela, a prominent anti-apartheid leader, was arrested in 1962. He was later sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964 for his role in resisting apartheid and promoting armed struggle. He spent 27 years in prison, mainly on Robben Island.
- Nelson Mandela becomes the first elected black president of South Africa (1994): After his release from prison in 1990, Mandela played a key role in the peaceful transition to democracy. In 1994, South Africa held its first multiracial elections, and Mandela was elected as the country’s first black president, marking the official end of apartheid.
This sequence of events reflects South Africa’s long and painful struggle for freedom and equality.