-Mandela's most important accomplishments were helping to end apartheid and then to help lead South Africa away from its deep racial divides and toward pluralistic democracy.
-Apartheid was a system of laws that enforced deep racial segregation and empowered whites over other races, especially blacks.
-Mandela advocated violent resistance against the apartheid government. In 1961, after the Sharpeville killing, Mandela helped found the paramilitary arm of the ANC, called Umkhonto we Sizwe or "Spear of the Nation. The group committed sabotage against state buildings and infrastructure.
