Similarities Between America And South Africa

The apartheid of South Africa and the segregation system of America divided the nations by skin color and allowed for human rights to be neglected. The segregation laws of the United States heavily influenced the future apartheid which explains the various similarities between the two systems; however, culture and environment constructed differences as well. The oppression in each country brought to light passionate civil rights advocates that called for equality among races and a new era of peace around the world.
South Africa’s apartheid was profoundly similar to America’s segregation of African Americans; yet, the two systems also differed from one another. South Africa’s segregation began in 1948 and continued throughout the 1900’s, unlike most industrialized nations who eradicated segregation by 1980. As a result of the extended oppression, “South
Mandela, along with several other African National Congress leaders, created Umkhonto we Sizwe or “Spear of the Nation”, an army formed to combat the dangers that accompany South Africa’s apartheid. However, in 1964, Mandela was charged with “sabotage and conspiracy to overthrow the government” for his involvement against apartheid and sentenced to life in prison (The New York Times). Desmond Tutu continued Mandela’s fight against apartheid by leading nonviolent protests demonstrated by Martin Luther King Jr that ultimately led to his winning of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984. The turning point of South Africa’s apartheid began when F.W. de Klerk became prime minister and within a year “began dismantling the apartheid system. He rescinded the long-standing ban on the African National Congress and released its leader, Nelson Mandela, from jail after twenty-seven years of incarnation” (Austin 450). Although apartheid was demolished in South Africa, the country continued to remain a divided