The role of the Cold War in the sustenance of apartheid in South Africa; 1948-1991: an investigative study of cause and consequences in history

Abstract

This study uses qualitative documentary research, a case study design, and thematic and content analysis to examine the Cold War's role in sustaining apartheid in South Africa from 1948 to 1991. A gap in the literature exists regarding the Cold War's influence on apartheid through a Cause and Consequence theoretical framework. The research finds that Cold War dynamics, driven by the global rivalry between the USA and the Soviet Union, prolonged apartheid. The USA and the UK supported apartheid South Africa, viewing it as a strategic ally against communism, despite global condemnation. Meanwhile, the Soviet Union supported liberation movements like the African National Congress (ANC), fuelling the resistance to apartheid. This international division delayed coordinated global action and deepened the apartheid regime's persistence. The study highlights that human agency, as emphasized in Neo-Hegelian causation theory, played a key role in shaping history. The superpowers, the apartheid regime, and anti-apartheid movements all contributed to the duration of apartheid. Research like this is essential for promoting global peace and decolonisation by uncovering past wrongs, fostering forgiveness, and avoiding future conflicts. For future research, the study recommended that it would be valuable to explore other international factors that influenced the Apartheid regime, beyond just the involvement of Cold War superpowers.