Aparthied and Segregation

Systems of apartheid and segregation were very effective in keeping the races separate. In both cases, the main purpose was to separate the “dirty” blacks from the “clean” whites, and this was accomplished with a series of laws passed in each country limiting the rights of black citizens. In South Africa, a law was passed forcing black citizens to carry identification with them at all times; if they were caught without their passport, they were immediately arrested. Also, it was forbidden for black citizens to be in large cities such as Capetown and Johannesburg after a set curfew; if they were found in the cities a

fter the designated time, they were again arrested. In the United States, Jim Crow laws banned black citizens from obtaining jobs and access to public places such as restaurants and hotels. The Plessy versus Ferguson Supreme Court case further widened the gap between blacks and whites. This trial was characterized by the “separate but equal doctrine,” stating that as long as equal facilities were offered to each race, that the blacks could stay separate from the whites. Black citizens in each country began to realize how unfair they were being treated, and chose to rally for their rights. It took the hearts of many citizens, as well as courageous leaders, to help the blacks gain equality.

Apartheid greatly undermined the spirit of democracy. Basic principles of democracy include free elections, citizen participation, majority representation, freedom and equality, all of which were violated during the reign of apartheid systems in South Africa and America. Black citizens did not have the right to vote in either country due to laws passed by the government. In America, it was written in the US Constitution that only white men obtained the right to vote. If black citizens wanted to vote, they were required to take a literacy test and a Constitution test. If they passed the impossibly difficult exams, they were required to pay a poll tax, which many poor black citizens couldn’t afford. However, white citizens were not required to pass any tests or pay any fees, also infringing upon the equality of all people. Additionally, by not allowing black citizens to vote, citizen participation was not being emphasized, therefore violating another principle of democracy. In South Africa, blacks made up 80 percent of the country’s population. These ten million citizens had no representation in the government, and their voices for governmental changes weren’t being heard by not permitting them to vote. Lastly, freedom and equality were not promoted whatsoever. White citizens possessed the right to vote, access to better facilities, and more occupational choices, while black citizens were stuck with laborious work, unsatisfactory housing, and no government representation. Clearly the democratic governments in the United State

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