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The United States recognized the Union of South Africa when President Herbert Hoover accepted the credentials of Eric Hendrik Louw as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of South Africa.
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The United States established a legation in Cape Town. They appointed Ralph J. Totten, who was serving as Consul General, to Minister Resident.
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The Department of State announced the elevation of the South African and U.S. legations to embassy stratus, effective as of the date of the presentation of ambassadorial credentials.
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The Government of the Union of South Africa declared that from now on, the country would be a republic. On that same day, U.S. Ambassador Joseph Satterthwaite was reaccredited to the Republic of South Africa through the transmission credentials to the South African Foreign Office.
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The United States emposed embargo with Pretoria and joined the international consensus in refusing to recognize the independence of four black homelands in South Africa.
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The U.S. Administrations tried to influence South African government by working with them using a strategy called "constructive engagement". It was guided mostly by Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Chester Crocker, and normally emphasized its common strategic interests with South Africa.
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In 1986, the United States passed the Comprehensive Antiapartheid Act (CAAA), leading them to establish an elaborate sanction structure prohibiting future investments, bank loans, and some forms of trade with South Africa
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Washington contributed $10 million to assist the electoral process in South Africa, including election observers and technical assistance to parties participating in the elections. After the elections, the administration of President William J. Clinton announced a $600 million, three-year aid, trade, and investment package for South Africa. The United States also promised to support the participation of international lending institutions, such as the IMF, in reconstructing the
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In March 1995, Washington and Pretoria established a United States-South Africa Binational Commission to improve communication and cooperation. This commission has six committees to investigate avenues for cooperation in agriculture, business, environment and water resources, human resources and education, science and technology, and sustainable energy resources.
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