To solve this, let's break down the history and meaning of Apartheid and where it was most famously implemented:
1. Step 1: Understanding Apartheid.
Apartheid refers to the system of racial segregation and discrimination that was enforced in South Africa by the government between 1948 and the early 1990s. The system legally classified people into racial groups and assigned different rights and privileges based on that classification.
2. Step 2: History of Apartheid in South Africa.
The policy of Apartheid aimed to maintain white domination and control over the country’s political, social, and economic resources, while oppressing the black and colored population. This policy was officially implemented after the National Party came to power in 1948.
3. Step 3: End of Apartheid.
Apartheid came to an end in the early 1990s due to internal resistance, including mass protests, and international sanctions. The policy was formally dismantled, and South Africa transitioned to a democratic government with equal rights for all citizens.
4. Step 4: Significance of Apartheid.
The term "Apartheid" has since become synonymous with state-enforced racial segregation and has been used to describe similar discriminatory practices in other parts of the world, though it was most prominently linked with South Africa.