During the 17th century, South Africa was colonized by the English and Dutch. The Dutch descendants - called "Boers" (from the Dutch word for 'farmer') or "Afrikaners" - revolted against English Rule in 1899. This war was called the Boer War (also known as the South African War) and lasted until 1902. In 1910, the Transvaal, Orange Free State, Cape Colony, and Natal were all combined to form the Union of South Africa which was allowed semi-independent status …showed first 75 words of 528 total…

…showed last 75 words of 528 total…former" South Africans living in the homelands needed passports to enter South Africa In 1953, the Public Safety Act and the Criminal Law Amendment Act were passed. These Acts allowed the South African government to declare "states of emergency" and also increased penalties for protesting against or supporting the repeal of a law. The penalties included fines, imprisonment, and whippings. These acts showed that the government had no intention of changing the unfair rules of Apartheid.