On his first day of school, Rolihlahla is given the English name Nelson by an African teacher. After receiving a good education at local boarding schools, Mandela enters Fort Hare University and completes two years before deciding to leave for Johannesburg to avoid a marriage arranged for him by his guardian, Chief Jongintaba.
Mandela then earns his B.A. degree, enrolls in law school and joins the ANC (AFRICAN NATONAL CONGRESS) which is an organization est. in 1918 to promote black freedom.
Believing that the ANC leadership is too staid, Mandela, Oliver Tambo and Walter Sisulu form the ANC Youth League. They plan to organize mass support for the ANC and make it a more verbal organization.1948; the National Party comes to power under Dr. Daniel Malan. His platform is called apartheid, meaning "apartness." They make new laws supporting racial discrimination and almost deleting almost all black rights. In1949, The ANC responds to the new apartheid policies, the ANC drafts a Program of Action calling for mass strikes, boycotts, protests and passive resistance. In 1951, Mandela becomes national president of the ANC Youth League. After that it is all downhill and Mandela is arrested several times. Later 1952, He draws up a plan for the ANC to work underground called the M-Plan. Early 1960's Mandela escapes the country and travels in Africa and Europe, studying guerrilla warfare and building support for the ANC. Late 1962,
Returning to South Africa, Mandela is arrested, convicted and sentenced to five years. He is held on Robben Island .He is held