Which country had voting rights denied to much of its population based on race before 1994?
Responses
A NigeriaNigeria
B South AfricaSouth Africa
C Kenya
B South Africa
The correct answer is B) South Africa.
To arrive at this answer, we can use historical knowledge or conduct a quick search. Before 1994, South Africa operated under a system known as apartheid, which enforced racial segregation and discrimination. This system denied voting rights to the majority of the population, specifically targeting black South Africans. Under apartheid, the government implemented various laws, such as the Population Registration Act of 1950 and the Group Areas Act of 1950, which categorized people based on racial identity and restricted their movements and political participation. The discriminatory policies of apartheid were only abolished and voting rights were extended to all races following the democratic elections held in South Africa in 1994.