What was Malan's significance in South African history?

Malan's significance in South African history is largely tied to his role as the first prime minister of the country after the formal establishment of apartheid. He was a prominent leader in the National Party and played a crucial role in promoting and institutionalizing policies that enforced racial segregation and discrimination through the apartheid system, which was officially introduced in 1948. His government implemented laws that restricted the rights of non-white South Africans, solidifying the racial divides that characterized South Africa during this period.

The other options reflect roles that were not associated with Malan. For instance, the anti-apartheid movement was led by figures such as Nelson Mandela, not Malan. The first armed resistance was primarily characterized by groups such as Umkhonto we Sizwe, which Mandela was a part of. Furthermore, the Freedom Charter, a foundational document of the anti-apartheid struggle advocating for equal rights, was adopted by the African National Congress and other movements but was not authored by Malan or his government. Thus, option B accurately captures Malan’s historical impact by relating to his leadership during the implementation of apartheid.