Angola Overview Flashcards
How were African states drawn into the Cold War?
African states became independent during the Cold War, and superpowers competed to gain allies by providing aid and weapons, which led to prolonged conflicts. The USSR supported anti-colonial and anti-Western governments, while the USA and Western powers aimed to protect trade interests and support pro-Western governments.
What role did the superpowers play in developing spheres of influence in Africa?
The superpowers competed by establishing trade partnerships, providing arms or aid to governments or rebel groups, and supporting opposing sides in civil wars to gain influence in Africa.
How did the USA intervene in Africa during the Cold War?
The USA intervened in Africa to counter Soviet influence, including intervention in Congo and Somalia, and sought to protect valuable mineral resources by supporting pro-Western governments and rebel groups like UNITA and FNLA in Angola.
What was the Soviet Union’s involvement in Angola during the Cold War?
The USSR supported the MPLA in Angola, providing weapons and technical advisors. Cuba also sent troops and assistance to help the MPLA defeat anti-communist forces, including UNITA and FNLA.
What was the nature of China’s involvement in Angola?
China initially supported all three liberation groups (MPLA, FNLA, UNITA) but later shifted support to FNLA and UNITA. China provided military instructors to FNLA but was unsuccessful in preventing the MPLA from taking power.
What was the significance of the Alvor Agreement in Angola’s independence?
The Alvor Agreement (January 1975) was a pact between the MPLA, FNLA, and UNITA to form a transitional government and organize elections, but external involvement escalated the power struggle, leading to civil war.
What were the causes of the Angolan Civil War (1975-2002)?
The Angolan Civil War was triggered by a power struggle between the MPLA, FNLA, and UNITA after Portugal’s withdrawal. The superpowers and South Africa became involved, backing different factions, and the war continued due to external interference and competition over Angola’s resources.
What were the main ethnic and political groups in Angola during the civil war?
The MPLA was backed by the Soviet Union and Cuba, the FNLA by China, the USA, and South Africa, and UNITA by China, the USA, and South Africa. The MPLA’s support base was multi-ethnic, while FNLA and UNITA had more specific ethnic and regional support.
What was the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale, and why was it significant?
The Battle of Cuito Cuanavale (1987-1988) was a key turning point in the Angolan Civil War. South African forces, supporting UNITA, were defeated by Cuban troops and Angolan forces. This led to negotiations and the withdrawal of foreign forces, including South Africa and Cuba.
What were the outcomes of the New York Accords signed in December 1988?
The New York Accords led to the withdrawal of South African and Cuban forces from Angola and paved the way for Namibia’s independence (1990). It also marked the beginning of the end of the Cold War conflict in Southern Africa.
How did changing international relations after 1989 affect Angola?
After 1989, the end of the Cold War led to pressures from the USA and USSR to end the war in Angola. This resulted in the withdrawal of foreign troops and the start of peace negotiations, leading to a 1991 peace agreement and a 1992 election.
What were the effects of the Angolan Civil War on Angola’s people?
The civil war caused the deaths of 1.1 million civilians, left thousands injured by landmines, destroyed the economy, and disrupted the country’s development. Foreign military support prolonged the conflict, and there was little foreign investment due to instability.
What were the long-term effects of Angola’s civil war on regional stability?
The war destabilized the region by encouraging armed struggles, displacing millions of refugees to neighboring countries, and involving foreign armies, particularly from South Africa, Cuba, and the USSR. This contributed to economic problems and political instability across Southern Africa.
What was the significance of the peace agreement between Angola’s government and UNITA in 1991?
The peace agreement between the MPLA government and UNITA in 1991 ended 16 years of civil war, though the conflict resumed after UNITA refused to disarm. The war only truly ended with the death of UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi in 2002.
How did the defeat of Portugal affect white minority regimes in Southern Africa?
Portugal’s withdrawal from Angola and other colonies removed the colonial buffer that had protected white minority regimes like those in South Africa and Rhodesia. This contributed to greater instability in the region and fueled liberation movements.
