Before Apartheid
Understand the history of people living and settling in the South African region and explore how racial and ethnic identities created tension in the years leading to apartheid.
![Sol Plaatje was the co-founder of the African National Congress (ANC). As an activist and politician, he spent much of his life fighting for the enfranchisement and liberation of the South African people.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-05/Sol_Plaatje.png?h=0bcf1b58&itok=yGWQuP50)
Healing and Justice
Students examine President Andrew Johnson's plan for Reconstruction and the debate it provoked with Congress while reflecting on deeper issues of healing and justice.
![Columbia with black union soldier with amputated leg in ornate Greco-Roman style building](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/Civic_Engagement_1865_Pardon_Franchise_Columbia_FH21375.jpg?h=5bba1fc0&itok=DENbKk8S)
Early Apartheid: 1948-1970
Learn about the early development of apartheid as the white South African government formed a legal system of racial hierarchy and non-white South Africans resisted these laws.
![A group of women hold signs in demonstration against the pass laws in Cape Town on August 9, 1956, the same day as the massive women’s protest in Pretoria.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-05/Democracy_1956_WomenResistPassLaws_FH281823.jpg?h=cb9047e7&itok=NA94IMQt)
Sequence of Study
Facing History’s case studies follow an intentional progression of themes that help students make connections between history and the consequences of our actions and beliefs today.
Growing Resistance Meets Growing Repression
Investigate the resurgent wave of international and domestic anti-apartheid activism that led to increased violence before both sides compromised over a legal conclusion to apartheid.
![A group of mourners carry a United Democratic Front Banner during a mass funeral.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/1985_MournersCarryUDFBannerDuringMassFuneral_FH282024.jpg?h=30a9cc90&itok=53pmDBJm)
Transition to Democracy
Examine the continuing struggle for South Africa as it creates a representative democracy, attempts to heal from the legacy of apartheid, and searches for a new, inclusive identity.
![The signing of the Republic of South Africa's Constitution in May 1996.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/1996_SigningoftheSouthAfricanConstitution_FH281937.jpg?h=c4482f5d&itok=pkPRL5nQ)
Schools Where We Belong: Whole School Partnership
Schools Where We Belong is a two-year partnership for middle and high schools. It is designed to help implement practices that foster inclusion and belonging, promote civic engagement, and support deep academic learning.
![A teacher hands out papers to students at a table.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Chicago_Classroom_2018_FH151335.jpg?h=c3635fa2&itok=sjJpQmho)
Acts of Hate in Schools
Students learn about the overall rise in acts of hate in schools and examine a story that illustrates how acts of antisemitism, racism, and other forms of hate can overlap.
![A young man holds a dark can of spray paint close to a blue wall to sketch his graffiti](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/ActsofHateSchools_iStock-464736054_full-res.jpg?h=bfa41935&itok=c-HOmvE3)
School & District Programs
Our industry-leading programs help improve academic outcomes, increase student engagement, and strengthen school culture.
![Two teachers are talking in the school hall as they walk to their next lesson together.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-09/school_leaders_webpage.jpg?h=4362216e&itok=5CRsYWiK)
Facing History & Ourselves in South Africa
We partner with Shikaya to support educators, school leaders, and administrators to create classrooms, schools, and systems that nurture a vibrant multiracial democracy.
![Facing History PDF](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/2022_FacingHistoryandOurselvesinSouthAfrica_FH2176370.jpg?h=2d545f09&itok=ULT_B8l5)