Final answer:
The goal of apartheid was to institutionalize racial segregation and white supremacy, dividing the South African population into racial categories and creating separate homelands for different ethnic groups. This policy, established in 1948, was vehemently opposed by the African majority and was condemned internationally, ultimately leading to its dismantlement in the 1990s.
Step-by-step explanation:
The goal of the South African policy of apartheid was to ensure the complete subjugation of the African majority by legally enforcing white supremacy and racial segregation. Apartheid created a system where people were classified into racial categories of black, white, and colored, and also included categories for those of Indian or Asian descent. The policy included the establishment of separate homelands for different ethnic groups, where people were physically removed from their homes and transported based on their racial or ethnic background. Racial discrimination was institutionalized and became pervasive in every aspect of South African society.
Post-1948, apartheid was codified into law, deepening racial divisions and exacerbating inequalities. Although the South African government tried to justify apartheid as a stabilizing force, it was widely recognized as oppressive, and South Africans rallied against it through organizations such as the African National Congress (ANC). The international community also condemned apartheid, leading to sanctions and pressures that eventually contributed to the system's dismantlement in the early 1990s.