Final answer:
The ANC was instrumental in battling apartheid, with key events including the Defiance Campaign in 1952 and Mandela's imprisonment. The brutal Soweto Uprising in 1976 and international opposition, including sanctions and the divestment movement, contributed to the end of apartheid. The ANC's leadership facilitated the transition to democracy, exemplified by Nelson Mandela's presidency in 1994.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Role of the ANC in the Fight Against Apartheid
The African National Congress (ANC) played a pivotal role in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. Founded in 1912, the ANC was at the forefront of opposition against the oppressive regime. Notable is the 1952 Campaign for the Defiance of Unjust Laws, where multiracial protests challenged apartheid laws, and the imprisonment of Nelson Mandela in 1962, who became the symbol of the anti-apartheid movement. The Soweto Uprising in 1976 saw a tragic response from the government, as police fired on student protesters, fuelling international condemnation and sanctions that ultimately pressured South Africa towards reform. The persistent resistance led by the ANC, along with international disinvestment and sanctions, were crucial in the gradual dismantling of the apartheid system, culminating in the 1994 democratic elections where Nelson Mandela was elected president.
International Response to Apartheid
Internationally, apartheid faced widespread condemnation. The divestment movement, and economic sanctions played a significant role in pressuring the South African government, especially during the 1980s. Influential figures like Desmond Tutu emphasized the impact of these international efforts on ending apartheid. Through the leadership of individuals like Thabo Mbeki and the broader ANC, as well as the persistent domestic and international opposition, the apartheid regime eventually recognized the inevitability of reform. This led to Mandela's release in 1990, legal reforms in the early '90s, and the historic 1994 elections, marking the end of apartheid and the start of a new democratic era in South Africa.