U.S. Foreign Policy Towards Apartheid South Africa, 1948–1994 : Conflict of Interests

This book charts the evolution of US foreign policy towards South Africa, beginning in 1948 when the architects of apartheid, the Nationalist Party, came to power. Thomson highlights three sets of conflicting Western interests: strategic, economic and human rights. Contents......Page 6 List of Tables......Page 8 Preface and Acknowledgments......Page 10 Introduction......Page 12 1 A Balancing Act: Key U.S. Interests and Apartheid South Africa......Page 16 2 “Mutual Cooperation” and “Serious Concern”: The Truman and Eisenhower Administrations, 1948–1961......Page 28 3 “The Best of Both Worlds”: The Kennedy Administration, 1961–1963......Page 42 4 “A Frustratingly Difficult Set of Policy Considerations to Juggle”: The Johnson Administration, 1963–1969......Page 58 5 “The Whites Are Here to Stay...”: The Nixon and Ford Administrations, 1969–1977......Page 74 6 “Andy Young Is Not a Policy”: The Carter Administration, 1977–1981......Page 100 7 “Neither the Clandestine Embrace nor the Polecat Treatment”: The Reagan Administration, 1981–1984......Page 122 8 “There Are Occasions When Quiet Diplomacy Is Not Enough”: The Reagan Administration, 1984–1986......Page 140 9 “Sanctions by Themselves Do Not Represent a Policy”: The Reagan, Bush, and Clinton Administrations, 1986–1994......Page 160 Conclusion......Page 180 Notes......Page 186 B......Page 250 C......Page 251 E......Page 252 G......Page 253 K......Page 254 M......Page 255 P......Page 256 R......Page 257 T......Page 258 V......Page 259 Z......Page 260 This Book Charts The Evolution Of U.s. Foreign Policy Towards South Africa During The Apartheid Era, Beginning In 1948 And Extending Through The 1994 Elections And The Establishment Of The Country's First Non-racial Democratic Government. Thomson Highlights Three Sets Of Conflicting Western Interests: Strategic, Economic, And Human Rights. A Balancing Act: Key U.s. Interests And Apartheid South Africa -- Mutual Cooperation And Serious Concern: The Truman And Eisenhower Administrations, 1948-1961 -- The Best Of Both Worlds: The Kennedy Administration, 1961-1963 -- A Frustratingly Difficult Set Of Policy Considerations To Juggle: The Johnson Administration, 1963-1969 -- The Whites Are Here To Stay: The Nixon And Ford Administrations, 1969-1977 -- Andy Young Is Not A Policy: The Carter Administration, 1977-1981 -- Neither The Clandestine Embrace Nor The Polecat Treatment: The Reagan Administration, 1981-1984 -- There Are Occasions When Quiet Diplomacy Is Not Enough: The Reagan Administration, 1984-1986 -- Sanctions By Themselves Do Not Represent A Policy: The Reagan, Bush, And Clinton Administrations, 1986-1994. Alex Thomson. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [175]-237) And Index. This book provides a full account of the development of U.S. foreign policy towards South Africa from apartheid's inception in 1948 through to the fall of white minority rule in 1994. Drawing upon documents sourced in key archives, the twists and turns of the U.S. response to Pretoria's racial policies are pieced together. This history starts with Washington D.C.'s first expressions of concern brought forth under the Truman Administration. It continues via Kennedy's arms embrargo, Kissinger's 'Communication' strategy, and Carter's confrontational approach, and ends with the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986 and the birth of the 'new' South Africa in the early 1990s. It is an account history of conflicting interests, with strategic and economic concerns always clashing with U.S. human rights priorities.