Final answer:
Yes, the apartheid system in South Africa was built on racism. It was a system of legalized racial segregation and discrimination that aimed to maintain white dominance in all aspects of life.
Step-by-step explanation:
Yes, the apartheid system in South Africa was built on racism. Apartheid was a system of legalized racial segregation and discrimination that was enforced by the South African government from 1948 to 1994. The system was based on the belief in the superiority of the white minority and the inferiority of the black majority, and it aimed to maintain and promote white dominance in all aspects of life.
Under apartheid, people were classified into different racial groups, and strict laws were put in place to keep the races separate and unequal. Non-white individuals were denied basic rights and opportunities, such as access to education, healthcare, housing, and political representation. The apartheid system was inherently racist and systemic, leading to widespread oppression and inequality for non-white South Africans.
For example, the Group Areas Act of 1950 designated specific areas for each racial group, resulting in forced removals and mass displacement of non-white communities. The Bantu Education Act of 1953 established separate and inferior education systems for different racial groups, limiting opportunities for non-white students and perpetuating inequalities. These policies and many others clearly demonstrate the racist foundation of the apartheid system.
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