What events led to the end of apartheid?

The end of apartheid was primarily brought about by internal resistance, international pressure, and political negotiations.

The apartheid system, a policy of institutionalised racial segregation and discrimination in South Africa, was dismantled in a series of negotiations from 1990 to 1993, culminating in multi-racial democratic elections in 1994. The process was driven by a combination of internal resistance, international pressure, and political negotiations.

Internal resistance played a significant role in ending apartheid. The African National Congress (ANC) and other anti-apartheid movements led protests, strikes, and acts of civil disobedience against the apartheid regime. The Soweto Uprising in 1976, where thousands of black students protested against the Afrikaans Medium Decree, was a turning point. The brutal response of the South African government, which resulted in hundreds of deaths, drew international attention and condemnation. This event, along with others, galvanised the anti-apartheid movement and increased its support both domestically and internationally.

International pressure also contributed significantly to the end of apartheid. The United Nations (UN) and other international bodies imposed sanctions and embargoes on South Africa, which isolated the country economically and politically. The UN General Assembly passed the International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid in 1973, which declared apartheid a crime against humanity. This international pressure, combined with the internal resistance, made the apartheid system increasingly unsustainable.

Finally, political negotiations were crucial in dismantling apartheid. In 1990, South African President F.W. de Klerk began negotiations for the end of apartheid, legalising the ANC and releasing Nelson Mandela from prison. These negotiations resulted in the interim constitution of 1993, which paved the way for the first multi-racial elections in 1994. Mandela's election as President marked the official end of apartheid and the beginning of a new era for South Africa.

In conclusion, the end of apartheid was a complex process that involved a combination of internal resistance, international pressure, and political negotiations. Each of these factors played a crucial role in dismantling the apartheid system and ushering in a new era of democracy and equality in South Africa.