Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act

The Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act, passed by the U.S. Congress in 1986, aimed to oppose South Africa's system of apartheid, which enforced racial segregation and discrimination. The Act imposed economic sanctions on South Africa, including banning new investments, trade restrictions, and prohibiting loans to the South African government. It sought to pressure the country to end apartheid and promote equal rights for all citizens. The legislation symbolized a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, aligning with global efforts to support the anti-apartheid movement and ultimately contributed to the dismantling of apartheid in the early 1990s.