Segregation vs. Apartheid: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Segregation is the enforced separation of different racial groups in a country, community, or establishment, whereas apartheid is a policy or system of segregation or discrimination on grounds of race, specifically the former political system in South Afr
Key Differences
Segregation has been a practice in various countries, often as a part of institutionalized racism, while apartheid refers specifically to the legalized racial segregation and discrimination system in South Africa from 1948 to 1994.
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Nov 20, 2023
Segregation can occur in various forms and degrees in different societies, often informally, whereas apartheid was a formal and comprehensive system, governed by a series of laws that strictly controlled every aspect of life based on race.
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Segregation does not always have a strict legal framework and can exist as a social practice, whereas apartheid was a legally sanctioned system, with laws that explicitly defined and enforced racial separation and inequality.
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While segregation has been practiced in many countries and generally condemned internationally, apartheid in South Africa faced global opposition and led to significant international sanctions and pressure.
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The legacy of segregation can vary, often leaving lasting socio-economic disparities, while the end of apartheid in South Africa led to significant political changes, including the election of Nelson Mandela as the country’s first Black president.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Enforced separation of racial groups in various contexts
Legalized racial segregation system in South Africa
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Scope
Can be more informal and vary in degree
Comprehensive, formal system with specific laws
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Legal Basis
Not always legally formalized
Legal framework with specific apartheid laws
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Global Impact
Generally condemned but varied in response
Led to significant international sanctions
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Historical Period
Varied, with no specific time frame
Specifically from 1948 to 1994 in South Africa
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Segregation and Apartheid Definitions
Segregation
The act or practice of setting apart people or things from others or from the main body or group.
Residential segregation in the city created distinct ethnic neighborhoods.
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Apartheid
A system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination.
Under apartheid, non-white South Africans were denied basic human rights.
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Segregation
The enforced separation of different racial groups in a society.
The school's policy led to de facto segregation, with students of different races in separate classes.
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Apartheid
A former policy of segregation and political and economic discrimination against non-European groups in South Africa.
The dismantling of apartheid marked a significant step towards equality in South Africa.
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Segregation
A policy of separating and isolating a group of people based on race, class, or ethnicity.
Segregation during the early 20th century meant separate public facilities for blacks and whites.
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Apartheid
A policy or system of segregation or discrimination on racial grounds, specifically in South Africa.
Apartheid laws in South Africa severely restricted the movement of non-white citizens.
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Segregation
The division of a society into groups enforced by legislation or social practice.
Historical segregation laws mandated separate drinking fountains for different races.
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Apartheid
The legally sanctioned social system in South Africa enforcing racial discrimination and segregation.
Apartheid dictated that different races could not marry or live in the same neighborhoods.
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Segregation
The act or process of segregating or the condition of being segregated.
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Apartheid
A rigid policy of segregating and discriminating against non-whites, as practiced in South Africa.
The anti-apartheid movement globally sought to challenge and end racial injustices in South Africa.
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Segregation
The policy or practice of separating people of different races, classes, or ethnic groups, as in schools, housing, and public or commercial facilities, especially as a form of discrimination.
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Oct 19, 2023
Apartheid
An official policy of racial segregation formerly practiced in the Republic of South Africa, involving political, legal, and economic discrimination against nonwhites.
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Segregation
(Genetics) The separation of paired alleles or homologous chromosomes, especially during meiosis, so that the members of each pair appear in different gametes.
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Segregation
The setting apart or separation of things or people, as a natural process, a manner of organizing people that may be voluntary or enforced by law.
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Segregation
(biology) The setting apart in Mendelian inheritance of alleles, such that each parent passes only one allele to its offspring.
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Apartheid
The policy of racial separation used by South Africa from 1948 to 1990.
Plural relations
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Segregation
(mineralogy) Separation from a mass, and gathering about centers or into cavities at hand through cohesive or adhesive attraction or the crystallizing process.
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Apartheid
(by extension) Any similar policy of racial separation/segregation and discrimination, particularly when in favor of a minority rule.
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Segregation
The separation of people (geographically, residentially, or in businesses, public transit, etc) into racial or other categories (e.g. religion, sex).
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Apartheid
(by extension) A policy or situation of segregation based on some specified attribute.
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Segregation
(sociology) The separation of people (geographically, residentially, or in businesses, public transit, etc) into various categories which occurs due to social forces (culture, etc).
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Apartheid
To impose a policy of segregation of groups of people, especially one based on race.
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Segregation
(genetics) The separation of a pair of chromatids or chromosomes during mitosis and meiosis
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Segregation
The act of segregating, or the state of being segregated; separation from others; a parting.
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Apartheid
The official policy of strict segregation by race practised by the government of the Union of South Africa up to 1993.
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Segregation
Separation from a mass, and gathering about centers or into cavities at hand through cohesive attraction or the crystallizing process.
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Oct 19, 2023
Apartheid
A social policy or racial segregation involving political and economic and legal discrimination against non-whites; the former official policy in South Africa
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Oct 19, 2023
Segregation
(genetics) the separation of paired alleles during meiosis so that members of each pair of alleles appear in different gametes
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Segregation
A social system that provides separate facilities for minority groups
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Segregation
The act of segregating or sequestering;
Sequestration of the jury
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Segregation
The physical and social separation of categories of people by race, ethnicity, class, or gender.
Economic segregation in urban areas often leads to disparate living conditions for different groups.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is segregation?
Segregation is the enforced or de facto separation of different racial, ethnic, or social groups.
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Can segregation occur without legal mandates?
Yes, segregation can occur informally through social practices, economic disparities, and personal choices.
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What were the key laws of apartheid?
Key apartheid laws included the Group Areas Act, Pass Laws, and Mixed Marriages Act.
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When did apartheid end?
Apartheid ended in the early 1990s, culminating in democratic elections in 1994.
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What was the legal basis of apartheid?
Apartheid was based on laws that explicitly segregated South African society and limited the rights of non-white people.
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What defines apartheid?
Apartheid was a policy in South Africa that legally enforced racial segregation and discrimination.
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How did segregation manifest in the United States?
In the U.S., segregation was most apparent in separate schools, public facilities, and neighborhoods for different races, particularly between black and white populations.
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Was apartheid unique to South Africa?
Yes, apartheid was a specific legal system unique to South Africa, though other forms of racial segregation have existed elsewhere.
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What were the effects of segregation?
Segregation led to significant economic, educational, and social disparities among racial groups.
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What led to the end of segregation in the U.S.?
The civil rights movement, legal challenges, and federal legislation led to the end of formal segregation.
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How was segregation enforced in the U.S.?
Segregation in the U.S. was enforced both legally (de jure) and through societal norms (de facto).
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Did apartheid face international opposition?
Yes, apartheid faced strong international condemnation and sanctions.
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What was the global response to apartheid?
The global response included widespread condemnation, economic sanctions, and a strong anti-apartheid movement.
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Are there remnants of segregation in modern societies?
Yes, remnants of segregation are evident in ongoing racial disparities and segregated living conditions in many societies.
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What role did Nelson Mandela play in ending apartheid?
Nelson Mandela was a key figure in the anti-apartheid movement and became the first black president of South Africa post-apartheid.
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How did apartheid impact South African politics?
Apartheid created a racially divided political system, with the majority of power held by the white minority.
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Were there similar systems to apartheid in other countries?
While unique in its legal framework, apartheid shared similarities with other segregation systems globally.
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What is the legacy of apartheid in South Africa today?
The legacy of apartheid includes ongoing racial tensions, economic disparities, and efforts towards reconciliation and social justice.
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How did apartheid affect the daily life of South Africans?
Apartheid affected every aspect of life, including where people could live, work, go to school, and whom they could marry.
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How is segregation addressed in contemporary societies?
Contemporary societies address segregation through anti-discrimination laws, integration policies, and social awareness.
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Nov 20, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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