In the year 1948, an all-white National Party gained control over South Africa with the main agenda of implementing Apartheid. This, essentially involving the segregation of black people and the taking away of their rights. From this, a resistance was formed, prominently driven by the African National Congress lead by Nelson Mandela who subsequently, was jailed for life in 1964 until the year 1990 when Apartheid was ended. In 1952, the Apartheid System was condemned by the United Nations and every year, was opposed by the General Assembly. Later, in 1961, many from the British Commonwealth wanted to expel the country of South Africa yet SA chose to withdraw themselves. In 1962, the UN attempted to place economic sanctions of South Africa yet numerous leading industrial Nations refused to participate for the fear of a loss of business. During the time of Apartheid, much civil disobedience, boycotts, strikes and violent measures took place in the black population's struggle for human rights. In 1976, black students protested for the right to no longer be educated in Afrikaans. Massacres such as that which occurred in Soweto resulted in as many as 575 deaths. During the 1980's, Apartheid was declared as a crime against humanity. In 1978, reforms were made and blacks were given certain rights back. The resistance movement that had been taking place, had begun calling for a revolution. Trade Unions had been given the right to begin protesting Apartheid and the economy of South Africa imploded. The Dutch Reformed Church had begun to oppose Apartheid and as the whites living in South Africa were prominently of Dutch decent, they followed the belief of the church. In 1994, four years following Mandela's release from prison, and one year after his winning of a Nobel Peace Prize, a democratic election was held allowing all citizens of SA to vote and Mandela became the first ever Black President in the region.
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