International Resistance

• UN Declaration of Human Rights labelled South Africa as a rogue state and there were global protests against it, but mineral wealth and cheap labour were still exploited by industrialised countries, who invested heavily
• South Africa served as a buffer against communism spread in Africa during the Cold War; the US and USSR opposed each other in proxy wars (e.g. the Angolan Civil War, a proxy war, began in 1975)
• Many Countries around the world condemned South Africa and apartheid, yet very little was done to try and stop it - particularly those in the west
• Consistent state brutality crushed internal opposition and invasion from African countries was impossible due to buffer states and lack of military strength
• Sporting and trade sanctions, along with international demonstrations, ensured international recognition of apartheid's conflict with Western values and beliefs
• Unspoken support from Western governments due to Cold War context and economics prevented apartheid's dismantling before 1978
• Unspoken support from Western governments due to Cold War context and economics prevented apartheid's dismantling before 1978