What year did the Apartheid system officially begin in South Africa?

The Apartheid system officially began in South Africa in 1948, marking a significant turning point in the country’s history. This was the year when the National Party, which had been founded as a proponent of Afrikaner nationalism, came to power following the general elections. The new government quickly implemented a series of laws that institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination against non-white citizens, laying the foundations of the Apartheid regime.

During this time, the government established a legal framework that codified the social, political, and economic inequalities predominantly between the white population and the black majority, as well as other racial groups. The ramifications of these policies were profound, affecting various aspects of life in South Africa for decades to come.

The other years presented in the options had important events related to the Apartheid system, but they do not mark its official inception. For example, 1945 was just after World War II, a period of global change but not directly related to apartheid. The year 1950 saw the introduction of the Population Registration Act, which was part of the apartheid laws, but it was not when apartheid officially started. Similarly, 1960 is notable for various anti-apartheid protests and resistance actions, but it cannot be