Apartheid (jan 20, 1948 – sep 25, 1991)

Description:

During the apartheid era in South African, black citizens were required to carry passbooks that identified their race and where they lived. Without a passbook people were not allowed to travel to different areas of the country. Nelson Mandela committed an act of civil disobedience by burning his pass book. This action was considered deviant because black South Africans were considered second-class citizens and Mandela was signifying that he refused to accept that assigned role. Mandela’s intention was to bring attention to the injustice and inequality in his country in hopes of initiating social reform. His continued efforts eventually landed Mandela in prison for twenty-seven years. While in prison, Mandela became a symbol for South African freedom. There were many “Free Mandela” protests which led to international support for his cause as well as economic sanctions against the South African government. When segregation ended Mandela was released from prison and was elected as the nation’s president in 1994.