THE END OF THE COLD WAR AND A NEW WORLD ORDER: THE EVENTS OF 1989 [Plan and construct an original argument based on relevant evidence using analytical and interpretive skill] Candidates need to explain to what extent the disintegration of the Soviet Union contributed to political changes in South Africa after 1989 - NSC History - Question 6 - 2017 - Paper 2

Mikhail Gorbachev's introduction of Glasnost and Perestroika not only aimed at reforming the Soviet Union but also reshaped international dynamics, particularly influencing the ANC's strategies against the apartheid regime. These policies encouraged openness and political reform, leading the ANC to gain newfound legitimacy in the eyes of both international observers and domestic audiences.

By the end of 1989, the Soviet Union had disintegrated, and consequently, the ANC faced a significant loss of support. The USSR had been a vital source of funding and military assistance for the ANC, and its collapse shifted the power dynamics. Without Soviet backing, the ANC was pressured to reconsider their strategies and seek dialogue rather than armed struggle.

The National Party leveraged the disintegration of the Soviet Union as a justification to continue its policies. By claiming to protect South Africa from a perceived communist threat, they argued for the preservation of apartheid, casting themselves as a bulwark against the spread of communism in southern Africa.

As South Africa moved away from Cold War tensions, influential international players, particularly those from Western nations, began to advocate for reform. As a result, the NP was compelled to confront the realities that the era of open hostility was over, pushing them towards negotiation.

Key figures within the NP recognized the necessity for change. They began to see the writing on the wall and shifted their approach, realizing that maintaining apartheid was no longer viable in the post-Cold War landscape.

As the national political discourse shifted, the ANC began to formalize their strategies, engaged in negotiations, and rose to prominence as a legitimate political entity. This culminated in critical events such as the announcement of Nelson Mandela's release from prison in 1990.

In conclusion, while the disintegration of the Soviet Union significantly altered the political stage in South Africa, it was a combination of internal shifts among South African leaders and the evolving global landscape that enabled the ANC to gain traction. The interplay of international influences, domestic pressures, and political reforms underpinned the transition into a new political order in South Africa, ultimately culminating in the end of apartheid.