Imperialism In South Africa

Imperialism and foreign rule over one’s country has caused many of the oppressed to resist and fight back in hopes of a change in political power and government, often referred to as a revolution. Revolution can be defined as the overthrow or renunciation of one government or ruler, resulting in a fundamental change in political power and political organization. Revolutions are the turning points of history, often times bringing significant change and upheaval to a society, region or nation. Many revolutions occurred throughout history and transformed the world as it is today. Revolutions have attempted at overthrowing oppressive governments like the mestizos and mulattos in Latin America against European rule, Africans in South Africa from
apartheid, the Red Guard groups in Asia against the richest in China, and the Persians in the Middle East against the shah.
As a mix of diverse people gave rise to a new social structure within Latin America and introduced a cultural blending in the Spanish empire, eventually a growing population of lower-classed colored people were angered at the privileges given the whites. Being denied the status, wealth and power that were given to whites, the mestizos and the mulattoes resented the Spanish. Masses of enslaved Africans were looked down upon and suffered economic misery and longed for freedom, eventually leading revolutions across Latin America. Those revolted were motivated by love for one’s race and freedom and influential leaders such as Simon Bolivar pushed the fight for independence. Ultimately, Latin America became free from European rule, gaining independence and becoming individualized countries that remain and thrive today.
Organizations such as the African National Congress (ANC) and influential people like Nelson Mandela opposed the brutal system of racial segregation in South Africa, paving the way to the consequent abolishment of the apartheid.
As peaceful marches and boycotts were organized, arrests, beatings and murders were a commonplace, forcing the ANC to resort to violence. This incited international pressure to end apartheid and eventually in 1994, apartheid was lifted in South Africa. Colored people were now given fair rights after nearly forty years of oppression, segregation and protests. The abolishment of the apartheid in South Africa allowed the country to be united regardless of color and live freely, forever changing the view of
Africa.
The Cultural Revolution was a Chinese Communist movement launched by Mao Zedong, whose goal is to “purge China of ‘bourgeois’ tendencies” (2215). China’s younger generations were urged to “experience the revolution firsthand”, similar to Mao’s own generation. In response to this calling, teenagers formed Red Guard groups across the nation and were often seen with little red books, attacking those that were thought were middle-class and richer. Their actions led to anarchy and terror as suspected people were often persecuted and even killed. The movement crippled China, negatively affecting the country's economic system and its society.
Reza Shah was an Iranian army officer who rose through army ranks to overthrew shah and made his own dynasty, marking the start of modern development of Persia in the Middle East.
Rushing to modernize Persia, Reza introduced many Western reforms, building modern infrastructure, strengthening the army, and increasing finances through oil. Reza also improved societal issues, such as introducing secular law over Islamic law and encouraging women to be a part of society as well. While these reforms may seem very beneficial with not too many losses, many of the reforms conflicted with the traditional Islamic law and many believed integrating these Western laws was rather extreme. Despite popular opinion, Reza Shah’s incorporation of Western reforms set up Persia, known as Iran, to become a modernized
country.
In many cases throughout history, revolutions took place when the state or the political regime did not deliver. The mestizos and mulattos revolted all across Latin America for freedom from European rule, resulting into independence from this oppressive rule. In Africa, Africans were oppressed under the apartheid for decades and revolted against it, leading to the eventual abolishment of apartheid. Young generations in China were called to revolt against the rich, backfiring to China’s economic system and society. The Persians were under a shah who did not modernize Persian, resulting into an overthrow of government by Reza Shah and improvements in all areas of life in the Middle East. Revolution can lead to positive change within one’s country but in some cases, may lead a country into a decline in economy and society.