Developments in Africa and the Americas

Question 1

What was happening in Angola?

Answer 1

-Civil war breaks out 1975 between the MPLA (funded by the USSR and Cuba) and the FNLA (USA, South Africa, China).
- South Africa steps in, afraid that if an MPLA government took power, the African National Congress (ANC) would have a base from which it could attack the apartheid system.
- Cuban’s defeat South African troops leading to MPLA creation of PRA November 1975.
- Continued Cuban-Angolan relationship until the end of the war with Cuba providing troops and assistance.

Question 2

What was happening in Ethiopia?

Answer 2

-1974 Ethiopian Emperor overthrown by Mengistu who established a Leninist dictatorship.
- 1977- Somalia invade Ogaden and Ethiopia appeal to USSR and Cuba for help and they agree.
- Conflict ends in March as Somali troops retreat and a truce was announced.
- Any form of improving relations between USA and Cuba damaged by this intervention.

Question 3

What was happening in Chile?

Answer 3

• American businesses had significant interest in cooper and silver mines in Chile.
• CIA charged with managing covert operations that would lead to a coup to prevent Salvador Allende taking power (saw him as another Castro).
• Coup fails and he becomes president.
• US economic pressures including influencing world bank to not lend Chile money mean’t strikes occurred an a coup by pinochet in 1973 meant Allende was killed.

Question 4

What was happening in Grenada?

Answer 4

• October 1983 fearing Grenada would turn communist after a coup led by the pro-leftist Coard faction Reagan assembles a force of 7000 force.
• No evidence of communist intent in reality, USSR view it as an example of US imperialism

Question 5

What was happening in Nicaragua?

Answer 5

• 1979 the Sandinista’s take control- Reagan regard them as communists and liken Nicaragua to Cuba.
• March 1981 USA find an anti-communist group to support the ‘Contras’.
• The USA begin to provide funds, equipment and training through Iran (Iran-Contra affair) to help overthrow the government.
• March 1982, Sandinista’s impose restrictions on press etc.

Question 6

What was the 40 Committee?

Answer 6

Group set up in 1970 by Nixon in order to plan covert operations. It’s initial aim was to prevent Allende being selected as Chile’s president.