On June 11, 1990, just four months after being released from prison, Nelson Mandela visited the White House and met U.S. President George H. W. Bush. It was a symbolic and strategic moment, as Mandela used the visit to strengthen international pressure against South Africa’s apartheid regime. Though the U.S. had been criticized for its historic support of the apartheid government, this meeting signaled a shift toward diplomatic support for South Africa’s democratic transition. Mandela emphasized the importance of maintaining economic sanctions to force further political change. The visit elevated Mandela’s global stature and helped accelerate the momentum toward South African majority rule.
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