How did international pressure affect apartheid policies?

International pressure significantly influenced apartheid policies, leading to their eventual dismantlement and South Africa's democratic transition.

The international community played a crucial role in the fight against apartheid in South Africa. This pressure came in various forms, including economic sanctions, diplomatic isolation, and public condemnation. The United Nations (UN) was instrumental in this regard, passing numerous resolutions condemning apartheid and calling for its end. The UN General Assembly even declared apartheid a crime against humanity, further isolating South Africa on the global stage.

Economic sanctions were a particularly effective tool used by the international community. Many countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, imposed economic sanctions on South Africa. These sanctions targeted various sectors of the South African economy, including trade and investment. The sanctions had a significant impact on the South African economy, leading to a decrease in foreign investment and a rise in unemployment. This economic pressure forced the South African government to reconsider its apartheid policies.

Diplomatic isolation was another form of international pressure that affected apartheid policies. South Africa was expelled from several international organisations, including the UN and the Commonwealth. This diplomatic isolation further highlighted the illegitimacy of the apartheid regime and increased pressure on the South African government to end apartheid.

Public condemnation of apartheid was also a significant form of international pressure. Anti-apartheid movements sprang up around the world, particularly in Western countries. These movements organised protests and boycotts against South African goods, further increasing the economic and political pressure on the South African government.

The international pressure was not without its critics, however. Some argued that the sanctions and isolation hurt the South African population more than the government. Others believed that change should come from within South Africa, rather than being imposed from outside. Despite these criticisms, the international pressure played a significant role in the eventual dismantlement of apartheid and the transition to a democratic South Africa.