Nelson Mandela and Apartheid

Apartheid, in my definition, was the racial segregation that took place in South Africa during the majority of the 20th century. A freedom activist who helped end this racism, was a man named Nelson Mandela. He's a man who is regarded by many to be not only a national hero, but an international hero. He was a leader of the ANC(African National Congress), a group of activists who's goal was to end the apartheid. Mandela tried to regain black freedom through non-violent methods. The South African government feared Nelson's ability to influence the nonwhite south africans. They imprisoned him for treason in 1964. He stayed imprisoned for the next 27 years.

During this time he became a symbol for national freedom. His ideas were not to riot and take over the white south african government, but instead to coincide with them so that South African blood wouldn't be spilled. Upon being released from prison, he became the president of the ANC, and had the entire nonwhite south african population on his side. He could have easily engaged in war against the government, but instead of negotiated and managed to open up free elections in 1994. He was then voted president of South Africa by winning 62% of the votes. By this time, apartheid was officially over and people of all colors had gained equal rights. He is admired by many people because of his courage and his dreams of freedom, and not revenge(despite being jailed for 27 years).