What did white minority rule mean in South Africa?

Correct answer: A small number of white people held political power

Correct answer: B, a small number of white people held political power. The phrase “white minority rule” combines two ideas: white people were fewer in number than the black population, yet the political system gave them control over state power and denied equal political participation to the majority. B is correct because it states both the group and its position: a numerical minority exercised political authority. A is the opposite of the historical meaning. C is wrong because the system was based on racial inequality, not equal rule. D is wrong because the defining feature was domestic white-minority control, not direct rule by foreign countries. This distinction is important: minority rule refers to who controls political power, while majority or minority status refers to population size. Memory cue: minority rule means fewer people controlling more political power.