so here's my AHC for you guys, using any POD post 1948, what is the WORST way for apartheid to end?
The white regime was really firmly in charge. There's no way apartheid would end without a conscious decision to end it. So, the ugliest thing that could happen would be a more militaristic SA regime somehow succeeding in goading one of the three superpowers (England, Russia, or the United States) into attacking it with full force and invading.
I think Russia would have a hard time doing this, Britain and the U.S. less so.
The white regime was really firmly in charge. There's no way apartheid would end without a conscious decision to end it.
Would the UK have enough sea lift capability to invade SA on their own?
I doubt it. The US would be the only ones that could.
South Africa wasn't southern Rhodesia. We're talking something like 5.5 million whites versus 200,000 tops. SA was a military, industrial, and economic force to be reckoned with and was the only superpower on the continent.You seem to be ruling out a prolonged guerrilla war.
South Africa wasn't southern Rhodesia. We're talking something like 5.5 million whites versus 200,000 tops. SA was a military, industrial, and economic force to be reckoned with and was the only superpower on the continent.
1. lol at "southern Rhodesia" so 1964![]()
It was Southern Rhodesia until 1980, at least as far as Britain was concerned.
It was Southern Rhodesia until 1980, at least as far as Britain was concerned.
Really?
I never heard it called anything but Rhodesia. Given that Northern Rhodesia became Zambia in 1964 I’m rather surprised by the ‘southern’ reference.
Look at what they pulled off in the Falklands. I think Argentina and SA were roughly comparable powers at that time.
It's because it was British Southern Rhodesia when UDI happened so it was still British Southern Rhodesia at the end in 1980, legally, given nobody recognised UDI. Hence the slightly ridiculous position of us having to take responsibility for Ian Smith's antics at the UN in the intervening time.
1. lol at "southern Rhodesia" so 1964
2. isn't the point of AH to change that? you're right in OTL ANC forces couldn't over throw the SADF by force, what POD could make make White SA weaker or ANC stronger or both?
IIRC the SAAF was built pretty solely around Mirages; the FAA had Mirages/Neshers as its main air combat aircraft and A-4 Skyhawks as its main naval aircraft. I'd have to give the FAA the nod over the SAAF for that little added diversity; they were probably equally trained and effective though.
The reason I think the RAF would be able to beat the SAAF is the same reason they beat the Argentine air force--they had the best available missiles in the world thanks to the U.S., andthe Soviets, Argentines, and South Africans didn't.