Replies

1931-34
South Africa gains independence from Great Britain after the passage of the Statute of Westminster by the British Parliament in December 1931 and its acceptance by South Africa in June 1934. From the formation of the independent country, the white minority controls the government and moves to limit the powers of nonwhites and create special designated areas, or homelands, for them to live.

May 26, 1948
The conservative Afrikaner-dominated National Party wins parliamentary elections and gains control of the South African government. The party, under new Premier Dr. Daniel F. Malan, begins taking steps toward implementing apartheid (apartness), the national policy of racial separation. [See Facts On File print edition 1948, p. 171C2]

June 13, 1950
Group Areas Act is enacted. It segregates communities and relegates the black population to a minor percentage of the nation's land. [See Facts On File print edition 1950, p. 189M]

1952
Enactment of pass laws. The laws require blacks to carry passbooks so that the government can regulate their travel through the country.

1953
Separate Amenities Act is enacted, establishing separate public facilities for whites and nonwhites.

June 26, 1955
The African National Congress and other opposition groups adopt the Freedom Charter, calling for equal political rights for all races.

Sept. 4, 1991
De Klerk outlines his government's proposals for a new constitution that will provide suffrage to the black majority for the first time.